Questions to ask a Therapist, Counselor, or Psychologist in NYC

New York City is a diverse city with thousands of therapists, counselors, psychologists, social workers, and psychoanalysts. You can easily find hundreds of therapists within just your own zip code. Especially with everyone doing telehealth sessions now, you can practically choose any therapist in the entire New York State!

So you’ve been googling Find a Therapist in NYC and found a few therapists who seemed nice enough. All of them talk about doing a free consultation, but what should you ask? What should you say? What is appropriate?

Questions to ask a Therapist in NYC

Do you have openings? 

There is nothing worse than spending 15 minutes connecting with a therapist who seems perfect, only to find out they don’t actually have openings, or that your schedules don’t align at all. Therapy is a commitment of time and energy. You will seldom find someone who fits your schedule exactly. You will likely have to move some things around to make space for this weekly appointment—so be a little flexible. 

Do you understand my issue and can you help me? 

This is a question you don’t usually have to ask directly. A good therapist will get clear on what you are looking for and let you know how they can help based on their expertise and experience. If they don’t feel like they can be of help, oftentimes they will offer to refer you to other therapists who could be a better fit. However, some therapists take everyone who calls them, and that can sometimes lead to less than stellar results. If the therapist hasn’t talked about their ability to help you—don’t be afraid to ask about it!

Are you licensed and trained? 

There are lots of really great healers and coaches who are unlicensed. However, if you are looking for therapy AND you want to ensure that your confidential information has the utmost protection, you do want a licensed therapist. There are particular laws that have been passed to protect what you talk about in therapy that are not applicable to coaching or other paraprofessionals. 

What is your style of therapy? 

Hopefully, before you ever get on to the phone with the therapist, their website makes it clear who they work with and what their style of therapy is. For example, I have a page on my website talking about my therapy approach. I know my clients aren’t just looking for a therapist in Brooklyn, a therapist in Williamsburg, or simply an Asian-American therapist or a gay therapist. They are looking for someone who can truly help them and work with them in a way that fits their needs and preferences. 

Find the Therapist in NYC Right for YOU! 

I hope this helps you find the right therapist in NYC. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (646) 280-5274 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. You can also read more about how I can be of service if you’re a creative, an engineer, an Asian American, a queer individual, or a queer or interracial couple.

Finding a Therapist, Counselor, or Psychologist in NYC

New York City is a large, vibrant city with a diverse population and distinct personalities. While NYC is known for being a center of psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, and counseling, it can be difficult to know how to find a therapist that will meet your needs. Many clients and prospective clients have shared with me how daunting and overwhelming their therapist search has been for them. Just enter your zip code on Psychology Today (maybe you have already), and you’ll be inundated with hundreds of friendly therapist faces to choose from! Whether you are looking for a counselor, therapist, or psychologist, I’d like to help you find the help you need the most. 

I Want to Help you Find a Counseling Therapist in NYC

Here are my top tips when you are trying to find a therapist, psychologist, or psychoanalyst in NYC. 

Find a Therapist Tip #1: 

Write down what you want to get out of your experience. What are you looking for help with primarily? What would you like to see changed in your life when you complete therapy? Ultimately, therapy should be an experience that you leave feeling like your life is better and you’ve made progress. It is important to start with an idea of what that progress may be when you start searching for a therapist. 

Find a Therapist Tip #2

Talk to people you know and trust. More people than you realize around you have probably been to therapy. Consider asking the person who seems the most “together” and helpful if they’ve ever been to therapy or if they know a good therapist. They may be able to give you a few people to research. 

Find a Therapist Tip #3

Read through a therapist’s website. Many modern therapists have websites that give you a sneak peek into their personality, the way they talk about things, and their style of therapy. You can find out what their counseling specialties are and what types of problems they love to work with.  For example, I love working with creatives, engineers, Asian Americans, queer individuals, and interracial and queer couples. I don’t work with people who are struggling with substance abuse or people who are suicidal. 

Find a Therapist Tip #4

Do schedule a free consult. A free phone consultation gives you and the therapist a chance to meet each other, hear each other’s voices, and to explore the issues you are looking for help with. The therapist can let you know whether they can help and how, and can also provide a referral to someone who would be a better fit. If the therapist you speak with sounds hesitant about working with you—do not schedule with them. You want a therapist who is EXCITED and delighted to work with you. See this post for a list of questions that you can ask during your free consults. I offer a free consultation to anyone who is looking for therapy services in New York State.  

Find a Therapist Tip #5

Not all therapists work in the same way. Find out if this therapist is a short-term or a long-term therapist, and explore whether your budget and their fee align. Therapists with higher fees tend to have smaller caseloads and have more time for developing their expertise. Therapists with lower fees tend to have larger caseloads, and in some cases (not all) it can impact the quality of your services. If your low-fee or insurance-based therapist falls asleep in session (it happens)–it does NOT mean you are boring or unworthy of attention! It usually means the therapist is overworked or has a medical condition. You need to find a therapist who is truly present for you. 

*It’s important to note that therapy is different from life coaching, something that sometimes gets confused. Life coaching is for people who are looking for concrete solutions and is directive in nature. Therapy is more relationship-based and focused on healing and moving forward with more confidence, clarity and support. 

A Free Counseling Consultation in NYC

I hope this helps you find the right therapist in NYC. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (646) 280-5274 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. You can also read more about how I can be of service if you’re a creative, an engineer, an Asian American, a queer individual, or a queer or interracial couple.