Questions You Might Want to Ask in a Therapy Consultation

A therapy consultation is an opportunity for both you and the therapist to determine if working together would be a good fit. A consultation should be a low-pressure way for you, the client, to explore your options and make an informed decision about starting therapy. It’s a collaborative step toward addressing your needs and beginning a supportive relationship.

If you are curious about accessing therapy for the kind of grief you are experience but you are not sure what to talk about in a therapy consultation, here are some questions you can ask:

• Do you have experience working with clients who are grieving my kind of loss? 
• What approach or techniques do you use to support individuals who are navigating grief like mine?
• Do you have personal experience with my specific type of loss (e.g., sudden loss, loss of a child, partner, or parent)?
• What is your approach to helping people find meaning or purpose after a significant loss?
• What is your understanding of grief? 
• What are your spiritual beliefs? Can you work with someone who has different beliefs that yours? 
• What can I expect from our sessions together?
• How will you tailor therapy to meet my personal needs and unique experience of grief?
• Do you focus on short-term strategies for coping, or do you also explore deeper, long-term adaptation?
• What is your availability for sessions, and do you offer in-person, online, or hybrid options?
• What are your fees, and do you accept insurance or offer sliding scale payment options?
• How will you ensure that therapy feels like a safe and supportive space for me?
• How do you support clients who are unsure about their readiness to dive deeply into their grief?
• What role do I play in setting goals for therapy, and how do we evaluate progress?
• What kind of commitment do you think my situation might require? (e.g., short-term or long-term therapy.)
• Do you provide resources or referrals if I need additional support?

Throughout the consultation process, and after the consultation itself, you should consider: 

• Do I feel comfortable talking with this therapist?
• Do I feel they listen to and understand me?
• Can I see myself opening up to this person?
• Does this person have the experience and training in the area you need help with
• Do they understand and respect my cultural, racial, gender, or religious background?
• Is there their style compatible with my needs, pace, and goals?
• Did I feel pressured or uncomfortable at all throughout the consultation process with this therapist?

If the answer to any of these questions is NO, I would encourage you to ask more questions or meet with another therapist. You should feel comfortable to share with whoever you choose to work with.