- Is the professional willing to speak briefly with you on the phone in order to give you a sense of whether you can make a connection with him/her?
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You may feel more comfortable in committing to a first appointment with a professional who is willing to speak briefly with you, answering questions regarding training and experience. You may also get an initial impression of the "goodness of fit" between you that is so important for a successful process. |
- Do you accept insurance payment? If not, what is your standard rate, or do you have a sliding scale to accommodate those of limited means?
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If you use insurance for payment, be sure to become educated as to the nature of the information required by your insurance company as well as the limits placed on service provision set by the company (e.g. number of session, diagnoses covered). |
- How often have you worked with people who have problems similar to those I am currently struggling with?
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If you are struggling with addiction of any type, you may prefer a professional who specializes in addictions and recovery. Similarly, you may want you potential counselor to be very familiar with differences in communication styles if you are seeking couples counseling. If you are seeking assistance for problems related to blended or step-families, you may want to know if the professional is aware of the many challenges and expectations that are common in these situations. |
- How many sessions do you estimate would be necessary to resolve my difficulties?
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Although there is some variability in the number of sessions needed for addressing personal difficulties, your counselor should be able to give you a ballpark estimate of the time that may be required for achieving your goals. |
- Have you ever had a charge of unethical conduct brought against you? If yes, what was the outcome?
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The purpose of state licensure, and participation by counselors in professional organizations, is to help to ensure that counselors will adhere to standards of practice and ethical conduct, and to give a means of redress to those consumers who feel they have been unethically treated. |
- What is your attitude toward alternate lifestyles, sexual orientation?
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All professionals strive to be aware of their own attitudes and they are bound by ethical constraints to inform clients or potential clients if those biases would in any way prevent them from providing effective services, or from working within the worldview of the client. |
- If you are culturally different from me, are you knowledgeable in the ways that those cultural differences may need to be recognized in developing an understanding of my difficulties as well as in creating a plan of action?
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Counselors should constantly engage in experiences that broaden their multicultural awareness, but this does not mean that all counselors are prepared to serve clients from all ethnic or cultural groups. |
- Are you willing to incorporate my spiritual beliefs into the counseling process?
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If you have a strong spiritual base or perspective, it may be very helpful to draw on this strength. It is certainly appropriate to ask a prospective counselor if he or she is able to do this. |
- How will my records be used, or protected against disclosure to other parties?
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Florida requires your counselor to provide you with a written explanation of how your records will be protected. If you do not understand this form, or are not provided with it, be sure to ask your counselor. |
