Questions to ask a prospective counselor or therapist in Houston

You’ve been searching for a therapist in Houston for a while. You've asked every friend you know, and looked in every therapist directory possible. Now you have a short list of therapists in Houston and you're not sure exactly what to ask them or how to know if this is the right therapist for you.

Well I've got you.

Here are some questions that you can ask a prospective therapist in Houston before you begin your therapy journey.

1) What is your therapy specialty?/What types of therapy clients do you typically work with?

Therapists in Houston have specialties just like physicians. Not every therapist in Houston is a Jack of all trades. Now don't get me wrong, there are some counselors in Houston who see a long list of people- such as people with anxiety, people with depression, people with trauma, children, adults, older adults, and everyone in between. However, most therapists have a specific population that they absolutely love to work with, and are also incredibly skilled at working with them.

So to make your life easy, ask your therapist exactly who they love to work with, so that you can decide if you fit in that category. It is important that you therapist enjoys working with you just as much as you enjoy working with them. I happen to be a Black therapist in Houston who is particularly skilled in anxiety therapy.

2) How long does your average therapy client typically work with you?

Some therapists in Houston are skilled at long-term therapy- seeing clients for years and years, or seeing clients with very severe mental health needs. While other therapists strongly believe in a short term model.

They often will see clients with mild to moderate needs, and they will graduate therapy within a few weeks months or even a year. Some clients are willing to be in therapy for as long as it takes for their struggles to finally be resolved.

However some people only want to be in therapy for a short period of time. It is important that your ideal situation matches the way your therapist works. If you go into therapy with the intention of seeing your therapist long-term, but your therapist happens to be a short term therapist, there will be a mismatch. It is important that you get this ironed out at the outset of therapy, so that there are no surprises.

3) What is your therapy style like?

It is also very important that your therapist’s style matches your personality. You can go to a therapist in Houston who has seven PhD's and wrote the book on therapy, however if their style does not work with your personality and your own emotional needs, therapy will absolutely fall flat.

For example, I use a lot of humor in my therapy sessions. I tend to be a little bit loud, I throw in a lot of laughter, and I also throw in a little bit of shade- what can I say? I’m a Black therapist in Houston who shows up as myself. If you are looking for a therapist who is much more reserved, extremely laid-back, and shows up looking very formal, then you'll find me absolutely irritating.

I also believe that you are the leader in the therapy room. Even though I have the education and the skills to guide you, I do not give you advice, and I absolutely will not tell you what to do. I help you figure out what the answer is, as I believe that it is already lying on the inside of you. I just have to guide you there.

With some of my clients, I don't do talk therapy- I do brainspotting therapy in Houston. Most of my clients liken it to EMDR. During brainspotting therapy, I will utilize some techniques to help you tap into the emotional side of your brain, thereby unlocking emotions that have been trapped, giving you insight and healing your brain. Brainspotting therapy in Houston is great for healing trauma and anxiety. This involves very little talking, but it is very effective. Click here to read more about brainspotting therapy in Houston.

4) Have you ever worked with clients who are struggling with [insert your issue]

It is important that your therapist has some experience in working on some of the issues that you are struggling with. After all, you do not want to be a lab rat. So, if you have wondered if your therapist has worked with somebody who is super independent, tries to fix everyone, and carries their entire family on their back, then ask your therapist. We will be honest with you and let you know whether or not we are able to help you. At least that is my policy. I only see clients whom I am confident that I can help. I would much rather refer you to another therapist in Houston, than waste your time or let you down. And if you specifically want a Black therapist in Houston, I’ll help you find one.

5) How often will we meet?

This is extremely important so that you can schedule your time and budget appropriately. Some therapists meet with their clients every week. Others meet with their clients every other week, and some therapist in Huston will want to meet in a more sporadic fashion.

I meet with new therapy clients every week, and as you get closer to graduating therapy (you’ll know when you’re ready because we check in periodically to check out your progress), we will go down to every other week and set a date for a last therapy session. I do have clients who see me once a month or as needed. However it is important that you know what to expect before you begin working with a therapist.

6) What are your fees and payments?

One of the most common misconceptions about therapy is that therapy is not affordable for everyone. These days, many insurance companies know that our mental health is just as important as a physical health. When you are working with a therapist in Houston, and if you choose to go through your insurance, ask them about their fees and if they will be billing your insurance. That way you know what your co-pay is, you can set a therapy budget, and there will be no surprises in your future.

Please know that if you choose to go through your insurance company, you should probably call them before you begin therapy so that you can find out how many sessions they will approve, what your out-of-pocket cost will be, as well as all the other benefits that come with your insurance. I wouldn’t want you to have any surprises.

7) What is your cancellation policy?

Many therapists in Houston work on a fee-for-service basis. This means we get paid when you come into session. Because of this, we often have cancellation policies for no-shows. Before you go into therapy, ask your therapist if they have a cancellation policy and what the policy is.

Some therapists in Houston will charge you a nominal fee if you miss a session without letting them know. Other therapists will charge you the full session fee if you do not give them a 24 or 48-hour notice. Ensure you know what policy they have so that you can adjust your life accordingly.

There you have it. These are some simple questions that you should ask a prospective therapist so that you can get ready for your first therapy session.

And if you are ready to begin the journey of healing from trauma, anxiety or an extremely boring or unfulfilled marriage, click here to schedule your free 15 minute consultation call. I am a Black anxiety therapist in Houston who believes that everyone can benefit from therapy.

About the Author

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with anxiety and insomnia. I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High achieving women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.

FAQ about counseling or therapy in Houston

The Houston area is a pretty large metropolitan area. There are probably hundreds of therapists in Houston alone as well as in its surrounding cities. When you are thinking of starting therapy, you might have a million questions- and no one to help you answer them.

I’m going to answer frequently asked questions that you might have about counseling or therapy in the Houston area. Here is a link to my previous post about how to find a counselor in Houston.

What exactly is counseling or therapy?

Therapy or counseling is the process of helping you work through emotional struggles, or difficult experiences that are causing you discomfort. Some people come to therapy because of trauma, anxiety, insomnia or depression. Others come because of life circumstances such as switching careers, moving to a new city, struggles in their marriage, or phase of life issues. As a counselor in Houston, I can defiantly tell you that my clients have such varying life experiences.

As an anxiety therapist in Houston, my clients experience anxiety due to trauma, difficult family upbringings, impostor syndrome, marriage struggles, insomnia and a host of other reasons.

Do I have to have a certain diagnosis to go to therapy?

Nope! You do not have to be experiencing specific symptoms to attend therapy. Some people who go to therapy do have a mental health diagnosis, however it is not a prerequisite for therapy. And not every therapist will diagnose you.

However, please note that if your health insurance company will be paying for services, they will require your therapist in Houston diagnose you in order to reimburse you for services rendered.

Do Black people go to therapy?

Absolutely! As a Black therapist in Houston, I can definitely verify that Black people also have emotional struggles and want to experience healing too. In fact, a long list of my clients are Black people as well as people of color. It is important to note that pretty much anyone of any race or ethnicity can benefit from therapy. Gone are the days when people just sat at home and struggled. it’s okay to let a counselor or therapist support you.

What should I expect from my first therapy session?

Every therapist conducts their sessions differently. When clients work with me, the first session is really dedicated to you getting to know me, and me getting to know you as well. That way I can provide you with a personalized therapy plan that would work for you.

During the first few therapy sessions we are really building rapport to ensure that we both feel comfortable with one another- so that you can open up. The most important factor in the success of counseling is the rapport and comfort between therapist and client.

In my first session, if we're doing talk therapy, as opposed to brainspotting therapy, I'll ask you questions about your upbringing, about what brings you to therapy, about your career, your physical health, past traumas, your significant relationships- all the things that make you who you are. This helps me create an individualized plan for you that will help you meet your therapy goals as quickly as we can.

Is it okay if a Christian goes to therapy?

Yes! In fact, as a Christian therapist in Houston, I work with my Christian clients to integrate scripture and faith into our therapy sessions. I believe that healing should involve the mind, the body and the spirit.

What do I say during my therapy session?

Say whatever comes to your mind. It’s normal to feel shy or unsure during the first few sessions- as you’re just getting to know your therapist. if I’m working with you, I’ll give you some prompts, so that things don’t get awkward.

Some of my clients like to write a list of things that are causing them pain or discomfort and we just go down the list in session. And if something else comes up organically, you’re free to discuss it.

Will my therapist in Houston tell everybody about my business?

Nope! We are sworn to confidentiality- okay maybe not sworn- but we do have to keep your information confidential by law. The only times when we might disclose your information is to report suspected child abuse, dependent adult abuse and elder abuse. We also could report if we suspect that you are a danger to yourself, to others or the property of others.

Will therapy work for me?

I can’t tell you absolutely that it will. However, therapy seems to work well for many people. As long as you are willing to trust the process and be open with your therapist, you probably will gain some new insights.

If you are ready to finally move beyond the anxiety that has held you hostage for years, click here to schedule your free 15-minute consultation call for therapy in Houston or counseling in Houston. I also conduct brainspotting therapy in Houston for anxiety and trauma, as well as marriage counseling in Houston.

About the Author

My name is Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Texas. I help women who are struggling with anxiety and insomnia. I also help couples learn how to speak each other’s language, date each other again and manage conflict in a non-painful way.

Many of my clients are:

Highly sensitive people

High achieving women

People with insomnia

Couples who want to regain their friendship and trust

If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here.