If a therapist responds defensively to your questions rather than being supportive, it could be a warning sign that the therapist may not be open. Here are some questions for you to consider.

Fee, Services and Record Keeping

• Am I charged a fee to interview you?
• What is your hourly fee?
• Do you have a sliding scale?
• Do you have regular fee increases?
• Can therapy fees be paid by insurance?
• Do you offer phone contact or crisis intervention between sessions?
• When you are ill or on vacation do you provide back-up support?
• Do you keep written records or files?
• Do I have access to them and can I negotiate what is written in my file?

Training, Education and Experience

• How long have you worked as a therapist?
• Where did you receive training/education?
• Have you worked with clients from cultural backgrounds different from your own?
• Have you received anti-oppression, anti-racist or ethics training?
• What kinds of therapy do you practice?
• Please define each type.
• Do you have experience or training in the areas I want to explore?
• What is your approach to these areas?
• Do you have access to training or education in these areas?
• Have you been in therapy yourself?
• If yes, how has it influenced your work?

Supervision and Consultation

• Do you receive regular supervision?
• Do you provide clients with the names of your supervisors?
• Please define the role of your supervisors.
• Are you in supervision with: a former therapist, family member or friend? If yes, how do manage the dual/overlapping relationship?

Ethical Guidelines

• Do you have a code of ethics you practice by? If yes, can I have a copy of the code?
• Do you provide OUTREACH & EDUCATION about the therapy process and client rights?
• Do you support a woman's right to make choices about her body? (i.e. abortion)
• Do you physically touch clients?
• Have you ever had a personal relationship with a client or former client?

Professional Organizations

• Do you belong to a therapy or social work professional organization?
• Does your organization or social service agency have a code of ethics?
• Does your organization or agency have a complaints or mediation process?
• Have you ever had a complaint filed against you? What was the outcome?
• Has a client ever challenged you? What was the outcome?
• If conflict arises when working with a client, do you have a conflict resolution process in place? Please explain process.

Some Personal Questions

Client Rights Project providing client support:
Feminist Advocates for Counselling Ethics
416-531-7182 | client.rights@sympatico.ca

Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape
416-597-1171 | trcc@web.net

Women's Counselling Referral and Education Centre
416-534-7501

For support outside Toronto, please consult your local phone book
or call the province-wide Assaulted Women's Helpline: 1-866-863-0511