Therapy can be a game changer in any relationship. Here are the questions to ask a couples counselor to ensure you’re meeting with the right professional.
Whether you’re facing a significant issue or you just want to learn better ways to communicate, you and your partner may decide on couples counseling. Going to a couples counselor doesn’t always mean your relationship is in trouble. It actually indicates that the two of you love and care about each other, enough that you’re willing to do some challenging work to improve your marriage.
Just like any professional, it’s vital to find a couples counselor that both of you like and respect. No two couples counselors are the same, so here are a few questions to ask a couples counselor. The answers can get everyone on the same page.
Logistics
Before delving into deeper questions, you’ll want to confirm that things like insurance and schedules are aligned. Ask any potential couples counselor these questions first:
- “Do you accept insurance?”
- “Is our insurance plan in-network for you?”
- “If you don’t accept insurance, what is your rate for sessions?”
- “What days/times do you see clients?”
- “What is your current availability?”
- “Do you have before- or after-work hours?”
- “Do you conduct sessions in-person? Online?”
Experience and methods
Once you get practical questions out of the way, start getting to know how your couples counselor and how they approach their clients:
- “What is your professional background?”
- “Are you licensed?”
- “How long is each session?”
- “What kinds of approaches do you use with your clients?”
- “What therapeutic methods do you use?”
Expectations
Therapy is work not just for your couples counselor, but for you and your partner too. Here’s what to ask about your role in counseling:
- “Will we have assignments or homework each week?”
- “What can we expect each session to look like?”
- “How will you help us meet our goals, and how do you measure our progress?”
- “Are there any rules or guidelines we’ll be expected to follow during sessions?”
Conflict and confidentiality
Both parties will want to feel safe and respected during counseling. These questions pertain to potential conflict management and confidentiality:
- “How do you keep our information private?”
- “Are you bound by HIPAA laws?”
- “How to you ensure that my partner and I will be heard equally?”
- “How do you handle conflict or intense emotions if the arise during a session?”
- “Do you ever meet with us privately, or only together?”
- “How do you work with us if one party is reluctant to share?”
- “What should we do if we feel like counseling isn’t working?”
Of course, other questions may come up as you start the counseling process. Any couples counselor should have no problem answering any questions you have, both at the start of your sessions and as sessions continue. Open and honest dialogue is the first step to creating a trustworthy counselor-client relationship.