Some questions I’ve found to help when choosing a therapist:
Do you have your own therapist?
Why did you get into this job? (“I just like helping people” is not enough and also a bit of a yellow bordering on red flag for me)
How many people do you typically see at one time and how many are you seeing now?
When can and can’t you disclose our conversation with others (also who are these ‘others’)
Where do you stand politically? (Im kinda 50/50 on this question because for me it’s really important as both a trans girl and as someone who’s issues often stem from capitalism and if I have to explain that capitalism ≠ good then that’s not gonna fly with me)
For my fellow queers, I know it can be limiting but please please try and find a queer therapist. It helps soooo much. If you can’t, ask them about their sexuality/gender regardless. Asking straight/cis people to reflect on their identities is a great way to figure out what color those flags are.
Same goes for any racialized people! I’m white so I can’t speak to it with the experience but I would bet my left AND right hand that having someone of the same culture/lived experience is gonna be such a better environment to do therapy in.
Remember, you’re paying the therapist! I know there are some situations where people can be required to be in therapy but even then you aren’t stuck with any one of them.
Listen to your instincts, if things feel not 100% tell them that if you’re comfortable and otherwise finish the session and get outta there!
Therapy is a tool, you wouldn’t use a tool that hurt you so don’t think you have to keep seeing the same therapist just because you’ve been with them this far.
