[gostryter]

i'm going to meet with a T next week for the first time.

i'd like to ask some questions of him prior to our appt (like how long has he been in practice, has he dealt much with situations like mine, etc.)

i don't want to go through the stress of meeting with him only to find out he's not what i'm looking for if i can get some answers prior to the meeting

i'd like to do this via email. has anyone else asked questions of their T prior to their first visit??

[sunrise]

Yes, for both therapists I have seen, I phoned them up first and we chatted briefly before making an appointment. I found out their credential (e.g. Masters of Social Work for my first counselor and Family Therapist for my current T), and told them briefly what I wanted to see them for (not a lot of detail). The latter was so they could say whether this basic problem was within their scope of practice or not so they could either tell me yes or no it would make sense to proceed to a face to face meeting. I had the sense I could have asked them more, but I didn't. They may have told me more stuff about themselves, but I have forgotten (it can be a stressful conversation).

I selected my T based on her orientation. She was referred through a psychoanalytic institute, so one of my major questions was answered that way.

The other questions that I had, I took to the first several meetings and I like that I asked her those questions in person because her reply, how she replied, her interest in my questions, her questions she had about my questions, were all important to me and had things to say about her and what she is like and it helped me decide if she was what I was looking for.

ECHOES

[Maven]

Sure, you can ask questions prior to making an appointment or visiting. I've done it. I don't like to waste my time.

[lauren_helene]

I think about psychology has a checklist of questions. Let me see if I can find the link

[Gracey]

I'd suggest doing it over the phone. Lots of therapists are loathe to give out their email addresses.