The following questions can help you determine whether or not a 
			mental health counselor fits your needs.
			
				
					
					  | 
					Do they accept your health 
					insurance? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					How much will you have to pay? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					Do they have the education, 
					credentials, and recent training to treat you? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					Is the therapist licensed? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					How quickly can you be seen by 
					the therapist? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					How can you get in touch with 
					the therapist between appointments? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					Will they refer you to someone 
					else if you need additional help? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					Can they prescribe medicine? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					Can they admit you to a 
					hospital or treatment center? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					What hospitals or treatment 
					centers do they have privileges in? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					What will you have to do 
					during treatment? What will they do? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					Do people whom you trust 
					recommend this therapist? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					What type of client do they 
					feel they work best with? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					Does the therapist limit 
					his/her practice to a specific type of client (children, 
					women, family)? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					What type of treatment 
					approach does the therapist use? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					What kind of experience have 
					they had with a problem like yours? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					Do they offer group and/or 
					family sessions? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					How long (typically) will you 
					need to see a counselor for problems similar to yours? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					How far do you have to travel 
					to see the counselor? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					Do they have an appointment 
					time that works for you? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					How much advance notice is 
					needed to reschedule or cancel a session? | 
				
				
					
					  | 
					Will you still be charged if 
					you can’t make your scheduled session regardless of the 
					reason? | 
				
				
			Also consider the type of therapist you think you would prefer.