Questions to Ask a Prospective Trauma Therapist in Atlanta, Georgia

Questions to ask a trauma therapist in Atlanta

So, you're looking for a trauma therapist in Atlanta, Georgia. You have found a few who seem like a good fit, but what question should you ask during the free consult to make sure? How do you know for sure? After all, that trauma has left you uncertain about who you can trust and questioning your own judgment. Each of them offers a free consultation, but what should you ask?

Questions to ask a trauma Therapist in Atlanta

Trauma can often leave you feeling unheard, afraid to speak up, and struggling to get what you need. You might even find it hard to know for yourself what you need, let alone voice it. This can make asking having a voice challenging for you. It’s okay! That’s one of the pieces of what therapy will do for you. During the consult, the therapist might have some questions for you, and here are a few you might want to ask them. Some of this information might be on their website so be sure to check there too.

Question #1: What is your approach to working with trauma?

If you have been to therapy before, then you might have an idea of what types of therapy have worked for you, and what hasn’t worked. There are a lot of ways to treat trauma, but they are not a one size fits all for every client. Some methods might work better for you than others based on your personal preference.

Question #2: Do you have experience working with the issues I am looking for help with?

There are various types of trauma not all trauma therapists work with every trauma. Sexual trauma, for example, is different from the trauma a veteran might experience. Relational trauma as the result of a toxic or unhealthy relationship is also different. You don’t want to be the guinea pig when you are looking for help resolving symptoms associated with trauma. Asking the prospective therapist if they have experience working with your type of trauma, will help you determine if they are a good fit for you.

Question #3: What training have you done to support your work with trauma clients?

Additional training and education will help to support the work a trauma therapist is doing with clients. Don’t shy away from a therapist who says they “have knowledge" of a certain method, but are not certified in it. Certification is not always required before it can be used to help resolve trauma effectively.

Question #4: Are there specific interventions you use in your work with trauma?

There are lots of different modes of therapy for treating trauma. If this is not your first time working with a trauma therapist, you might have an idea of which methods won’t work for you and which ones don’t. There is no sense in wasting your time with ones you have not found to be effective with your trauma.

Question #5: How often do you recommend we meet for sessions?

The aftermath of trauma is often difficult to cope with. Research has determined that weekly sessions bring faster results and longer-lasting change. Think of it similarly to strengthening a muscle or learning a new skill that requires repeated repetition and practice. In order to be successful, it must be done often. Weekly sessions will help you reach your desired outcome faster and cost you less in the long run.

Question #6: How will I know if therapy is working?

Therapy requires a lot of time, energy, and money. Understanding how you will be able to know these valuable resources are getting you closer to your desired outcomes will help you feel better about how they are being used. Asking this question also helps you learn how that potential new therapist plans to track your progress to make sure you are on target for reaching your goals. Unless you are facing a challenge that is lifelong, your treatment should be driven with the ultimate goal of you eventually not needing therapy anymore.

Question #7: What if the therapy approach doesn’t work?

There is no one-size-fits-all all approach to treating trauma. Some methods may not work for you, so it’s helpful to know how you can move forward if things are not working and how the therapist handles this.

I hope this helps you in your journey to find the right trauma therapist in Atlanta, GA. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (678) 744-5369 or click here to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. I specialize in trauma, attachment, depression, and anxiety. If you are ready to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation click here.