Choosing the Right Therapist
Disclaimer
This directory is managed and maintained by the Black, African, and Asian Therapy Network [BAATN]. BAATN is a membership organisation that inspires and supports therapy practitioners of Black, African, and Asian heritage to grow and thrive as a community. This Therapists Directory allows therapists to reach out to Black, Brown, and People of Colour communities.
The BAATN Therapists Directory is an impartial service, and we cannot specifically recommend or endorse any providers listed. However, all therapists in this directory are required to be registered with an accrediting body that has a code of ethics and complaints procedure. This is checked before the therapist is listed and is available to view on their profile.
The therapists listed may or may not have undertaken the necessary work to ensure that Black, Brown and People of Colour receive a service free of discrimination which incorporates their needs and experiences, including therapists working within their own communities. It is the service users’ responsibility to make their own assessment about the suitability or otherwise of a particular therapist. BAATN is not responsible or liable for the accuracy, compliance or legality of the material contained in the directory or via emails sent to our mailing list, nor for any actions, quality of service, negligence or default of those listed.
Codes of Ethics and complaints
All therapists in this directory are registered with an accredited body, which they have listed on their profile. All accrediting bodies have a code of ethics and a complaint procedure. Examples of registering bodies are the BACP, UKCP, HCPC, BPC, BAPT, BABCP, NCS. If a therapist acts unethically, you can contact their registering body who will take the appropriate action.
Trust Your Gut Instincts
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Trust your gut instincts, and don’t feel obligated to go with the first therapist you meet.
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It’s important to remember that not everyone in the directory will necessarily be a good match for you.
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If you “click” with the first person you speak with, that’s great. However, you might want to speak with two or three potential therapists before choosing the one who feels right for you.
Questions you might want to ask at your initial meeting
You may find it helpful to ask some of the following questions of your prospective therapist. The therapist may not always answer the question, but you will get a sense of how they respond to you, even if you don’t get a direct answer.
Questions to reflect on after your initial meeting with a therapist.
How is the comfort and chemistry?
- Did you feel understood?
- Did the therapist understand your reason for being there?
- Did you feel liked by the therapist?
- Did you like the therapist?
- Did you like his or her values?
- Did you agree with them?
- Did you have an initial feeling of trust in the therapist?
- Did the therapist appear to be sensitive to your feelings?
- Did you feel respected by the therapist?
- Did you feel he or she was treating you as an equal?
- Did you feel comfortable talking to the therapist?
- Were you able to say what you wanted to say?
- Were you able to be yourself?
- Did you feel a need to hide anything?
- Were you honest?
- Did the therapist convey a feeling of personal warmth?
- Did the therapist seem to have a sense of humour?
- Was he or she overly serious?
- Did you get a feeling this person was wise? Knowledgeable?
- Was he or she able to go past theories and understand the nature of the issue?
- Did he or she convey an interest in you and your reasons for being in his or her office?
- Did the therapist make eye contact with you? Was that comfortable for you?
- Did you get any feedback from the therapist? Was it helpful? Insightful?
- Did you come away with any greater understanding of yourself than you had before the first meeting?
- Did you disagree with the therapist at any point? How did that go? Was the therapist defensive or shut down?
- Could he or she disagree with you in a comfortable manner?
- Do you look forward to talking with the therapist again?
Questions around the therapist’s experience
- How long have you been practicing counselling or psychotherapy?
- Where else have you worked besides your present position?
- What jobs or careers have you had besides being a therapist?
- What non-professional experiences have you had to qualify you for the work you are now doing?
Questions around the therapist’s trainingÂ
- What was your training?
- What qualifications have you been awarded?
Questions around the therapist’s fitness to practice
- Are you a member of any professional organisations? Which ones?
- Are you Accredited or Registered by any professional therapy associations?
- Have any complaints been filed against you with any professional ethics organisation?
Questions around the therapist meeting your needs
- Have you treated other people with problems similar to mine?
- How do you determine how often we should meet?
- Can you prescribe psychoactive medications if I need them? If not, do you work with a physician or a psychiatrist who can evaluate me and prescribed medication?
- Are you willing to consult with other mental health or medical professionals with whom I have worked?
- Do you consult with other professionals regarding individuals on your caseload?
- How do you safeguard my right to confidentiality in those situations?
- Are you willing or able to see my family members or life partner if that should seem necessary? If so, can or should I be present?
- Will you ever meet with them without my being present?
- Have you ever been sued for malpractice?
- What was the outcome of that lawsuit?
Questions around how the therapist practices
- How do you describe your professional orientation to therapy?
- Which of the major schools of psychotherapy are the most attractive to you?
Questions around the therapist’s personal experience of therapy
- What is your personal experience as a client in psychotherapy?
- How do you feel it benefited you?
Questions around money and availability
- What is your fee?
- Is there a sliding scale? If there is a sliding scale, how does it work?
- Are you able to accept medical insurance?
- How do you handle the paperwork?
- Do you or I have to fill out the paperwork?
- What is your telephone availability?
- Do you encourage or discourage telephone contact between meetings?