Questions you may want to ask when interviewing a potential counselor before setting up an appointment:
Are you a licensed counselor/psychologist? How many years have you been practicing?
· PC (or LPC) – masters level professional counselor (2 years after 4 year degree) – supervised
· PCC (or LPCC) masters level Independent Professional Clinical Counselor (higher level than PC)
· LSW – Social Worker – bachelors prepared (4 year degree), possibly higher
· LISW – masters level Independent Social Worker (higher level than LSW)
· LICDC – Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (highest level of Addictions License)
· CCDC – Credentialed addictions counselor. May or may not be masters prepared.
· Psy.D. – Doctor of Psychology
· Ph.D. – Doctor of Psychology (but check to be sure. This educational status can have different meanings, but is typically Psychology with this list of providers.)
I have been feeling (anxious, tense, depressed, etc.) and I'm having problems (with my job, my marriage, eating, sleeping, etc.). What experience do you have helping people with these types of problems?
What are your areas of expertise — for example, working with children and families?
What kinds of treatments do you use, and have they been proven effective for dealing with my kind of problem or issue?
(If seeing a minor) Will you involve the parents in the therapy sessions? Do you think family therapy is an important component of the counseling process of an individual?
(If seeing a minor) Will I as the parent know everything that my son/daughter talks to you about?
What are your fees? (Fees are usually based on a 45-minute to 50-minute session.)
Do you have a sliding-scale fee policy?
What types of insurance do you accept? Will you accept direct billing to or payment from my insurance company? Are you affiliated with any managed care organizations? Do you accept Medicare or Medicaid insurance?
What are your hours of operation? If I need evening hours, is that going to be a problem? How many sessions can I schedule in advance? What is your cancelation policy?
If I need to see a psychiatrist for possible medication, are you affiliated with one?
Are you a licensed counselor/psychologist? How many years have you been practicing?
· PC (or LPC) – masters level professional counselor (2 years after 4 year degree) – supervised
· PCC (or LPCC) masters level Independent Professional Clinical Counselor (higher level than PC)
· LSW – Social Worker – bachelors prepared (4 year degree), possibly higher
· LISW – masters level Independent Social Worker (higher level than LSW)
· LICDC – Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (highest level of Addictions License)
· CCDC – Credentialed addictions counselor. May or may not be masters prepared.
· Psy.D. – Doctor of Psychology
· Ph.D. – Doctor of Psychology (but check to be sure. This educational status can have different meanings, but is typically Psychology with this list of providers.)
I have been feeling (anxious, tense, depressed, etc.) and I'm having problems (with my job, my marriage, eating, sleeping, etc.). What experience do you have helping people with these types of problems?
What are your areas of expertise — for example, working with children and families?
What kinds of treatments do you use, and have they been proven effective for dealing with my kind of problem or issue?
(If seeing a minor) Will you involve the parents in the therapy sessions? Do you think family therapy is an important component of the counseling process of an individual?
(If seeing a minor) Will I as the parent know everything that my son/daughter talks to you about?
What are your fees? (Fees are usually based on a 45-minute to 50-minute session.)
Do you have a sliding-scale fee policy?
What types of insurance do you accept? Will you accept direct billing to or payment from my insurance company? Are you affiliated with any managed care organizations? Do you accept Medicare or Medicaid insurance?
What are your hours of operation? If I need evening hours, is that going to be a problem? How many sessions can I schedule in advance? What is your cancelation policy?
If I need to see a psychiatrist for possible medication, are you affiliated with one?