New to therapy? Questions to ask a Black Therapist before you begin therapy

Some people have described 2020 as a dumpster fire. I’m not saying it was a bad year for everyone, but there certainly were some difficulties along the way. For some people, the COVID-19 pandemic brought them closer to their family and loved ones, and for others, it brought up all the problems and struggles they thought they’d buried a long time ago.

And so 2021 is a good year to heal some of the difficult emotions that 2020 brought up. It might be the year in which you go to therapy to learn to take off that strong Black woman armor you’ve been burdened with. It could be the year in which you learn to say goodbye to anxiety or finally learn how to sleep well.

It might be the year you decide to roll your sleeves up and finally do the emotional work so that 2021 can be your best year yet. In my last blog post, I wrote all about how to find a Black therapist near you. If you haven’t read it, please do so.

I imagine you’re at the stage in which you have your shortlist of therapists. You’ve scheduled a few consultation calls, but you have no clue what to ask the therapist, how to know if they are the best therapist for you, or how to get the most out of therapy.

Well, I got you. Take some notes. Let’s make the process of finding the best Black therapist for you easy peasy. Here are some quick questions you can ask a Black therapist when you’re on a consultation call (And FYI, I do not feel offended when potential clients ask me my gender, race, ethnicity or faith background when we are on consultation calls).

What is your therapy style?

Some therapists (like me) are very laid back. I laugh A LOT during therapy sessions, but don’t get it wrong, I am laser focused on helping you reach those goals. I am also very goal oriented. I suggest that all my clients get a therapy notebook in which they journal thoughts that happen outside of the therapy session so that we can talk about it in session.

I also give my clients homework- it can range from a 5-minute exercise to week long practices. As a Black female therapist who works with successful, high achieving, Black women, humor is very much a part of what I do. Although there might be tears during the session, I also share quite a few laughs with my clients. My clients can show up as they are- in their bonnets, pajamas, bath robes, head wraps- I’ve seen it all and I judge NONE of it.

There are other Black therapists who are more formal with their style. Neither style is better than the other. Some therapists talk quite a bit in session, others let their clients do most of the talking. Still, others do more somatic work in which the body and mind are incorporated. Some do animal assisted therapy, and others do outdoor therapy. 

The most important thing is what style you think works best for you.

Do you practice long-term therapy or short-term therapy?

Because human behavior can be so complex, it’s difficult to know how many sessions you will need to have. I happen to be a short-term therapist. I tell my clients that I work intensely with them (I see them weekly) until they have accomplished all their goals. 

During the first session, we set very clear, specific goals, and I check in periodically to see how close we are to meeting those goals. Once we have reached those goals, it’s time to graduate. That being said, the average client sees me for about 6 months. Although I’ve had clients who have been with me for years. I also have clients who have returned after graduation. Like I said, everyone’s path is different.

Do you have experience working with Black, Christian women [or insert some of your identifiers here]?

I am of the opinion that therapy is supposed to work for you. You shouldn't go to see a therapist just because you think that therapist is the only option for you. You should feel a deep, positive connection with your therapist in which there is safety and openness.

If you are currently in therapy and you feel like the process is not working for you, I suggest having a heart to heart with your therapist to see if something can be tweaked or if you can be referred out to someone who is a great fit for you. Your therapist should be a great fit for you.

I also believe that issues of culture are HUGE! As a Black, Christian, immigrant therapist, there are so many nuances to my clients’ backgrounds. It is also important that your therapist can see you and respect all the parts of you. So please do not be afraid to address this when you consult with a therapist on the phone. Many Black therapists or therapists of color understand the importance of including a clients’ experiences and culture in the sessions.

How often will you see me?

Therapy should happen regularly in order to see results. Typically, each therapy session builds upon previous sessions. If you only go to therapy once a year or once a month, it might be hard to gain the traction that you need. During the consultation call, address this with the therapist. Get clear on what his or her schedule looks likes to ensure that there will be space for your needs.

This might also be a good time to ask how long sessions are. Some therapists have quick 30-minute sessions. Others see clients for 45 minutes, 50 minutes, 60 minutes 75 minutes or even have intensives that last more than 2 hours. Please get clear on this so that you can decide if this suits your schedule and your needs.

How will I know when I’m ready to graduate therapy?

It’s usually nice to have benchmarks when you’re in therapy. It helps you identify your progress, what areas you still need to work on, and when you think you’ll be ready to graduate from the therapy process.

Ask the therapist if there are any systems in place to help with this. Please note that graduation from therapy doesn’t mean that you can never return to therapy. It also doesn’t imply that your life will be perfect. It simply means that this therapy cycle has helped you achieve specific goals.

Other Questions to ask

• How much does a session cost?

• Can you provide a super bill for my insurance? And what is the process like?

• Will I receive a mental health diagnosis? (Quick note here. If you choose to use your insurance, chances are you therapist would have to provide a mental health diagnosis. I always advocate for clients to know what they are being diagnosed with).

• Are you in network with my insurance company?

• What happens if I cannot make it to a scheduled appointment? (Some therapists have no show policies and others will terminate you after a certain number of missed sessions. It’s important to be clear about that).

• What type of license do you have? (Depending on your state, there are licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed mental health counselors, licensed professional clinical counselors, etc.). To be extra careful, you could also decide to look up the therapist on the licensing board’s website to ensure that their license is in good standing.

• Do you engage in Christian [insert religious or spiritual background here] counseling?

• Do you work with [insert your issues here- it could be anxiety, depression, infidelity, infertility, athletic performance, etc].

Those are some questions you could ask your therapist before beginning therapy. If you are a Black woman in California, seeking a Black, Christian therapist who can help you manage anxiety, get rid of insomnia or create an amazing relationship, click here to schedule a free consultation with me.

Remember, the best therapist for you is one you feel safe with.

Want to read more?

How to find a Black therapist: A Simple guide.