Questions To Ask Your Registered Social Worker And Psychotherapist

Seeking out a registered social worker and psychotherapist can be an intimidating process. It’s essential to understand what approach the social worker or psychotherapist will take and determine their availability and fees. To ensure that you find the best fit for yourself, here are a few essential questions to ask your registered social worker and psychotherapist before you commit to working with them.

1. What are your fees?

This is one of the most important questions you should ask when selecting a registered social worker and psychotherapist. Many offer sliding scales based on your income, so it’s important to know the exact cost of each session in advance. Cost should not be a significant deciding factor in which therapist you choose, but it’s important to know upfront if the fees are within your budget.

2. What modalities do you utilize?

There are many different modalities used in therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and more. Each modality has its strengths and weaknesses, so understanding which approach the therapist takes with their clients is essential for finding one that best suits your needs.

3. How do you deal with resistance or if I can’t do something recommended?

Resistance is normal during therapy sessions as we work through our issues. However, some therapists may have different ways of dealing with resistance from their clients than others do. Asking about how they handle this can give you insight into whether or not they would be a good fit for you. Additionally, if the therapist recommends something you feel uncomfortable doing, it’s essential to discuss this openly so that both parties understand where each other stands on specific topics.

4. How do you determine the best fit?

Most registered social workers and psychotherapists will have an initial intake session where they get to know more about your background and experiences to determine if they are the right person for your particular needs and goals in treatment. Understanding how they make this determination can give insight into whether or not they would be a good fit for you personally before investing any time or money into further sessions with them.

5. Is there homework (in-between session work)?

Some therapists may assign homework between sessions in order to help drive progress toward goals set during therapy sessions. Others may not do this at all, depending on their style of practice or their perceived need for additional work outside of sessions with their clientele. Knowing ahead of time how much homework might be expected can help set expectations prior to engaging in any kind of therapeutic relationship together.

6. What is your availability and cancellation policy?

It’s important to know upfront what type of availability your chosen therapist has and what their policies are concerning cancellations or rescheduling appointments should anything unexpected come up for either party involved in the therapeutic relationship. Understanding these policies ahead of time can help avoid any potential confusion down the line regarding scheduling or payment issues that could arise due to missed appointments.

If you are looking for a registered social worker and psychotherapist in Markham, Ontario, reach out to Recalibrate Therapeutic Services. I have worked in the mental health, addiction, criminal justice, and child welfare sectors for over eighteen years. Numerous clinical internships and training have supported my clinical skills. Over the years, I have helped individuals develop skills and access resources needed to increase their capacity to be successful.

Get in touch with me today!

To learn more about the services I offer, please click here. You can contact me by clicking here or calling me at (416) 558-0557 or 905 943 4933.