Questions to ask before starting anxiety counseling

What should you ask a counselor before starting anxiety counseling?

Ask about four things: how they work with anxiety, how privacy is handled, what it will cost, and how scheduling works. Those answers tell you most of what you need to decide whether to book. A good counselor is comfortable with every question below and will answer in plain words.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness puts it well: in a first contact you are seeking help, but you are also shopping around, and it is reasonable to ask questions. Its suggestions include whether you feel comfortable with the person, whether they have worked with people like you, and how you will set goals and evaluate progress together. The general guide to choosing a therapist in Tryon covers licenses and fit; this page is about anxiety in particular.

Questions about how they work with anxiety

Anxiety is among the most common reasons adults look for counseling, and counselors approach it in different ways. The National Institute of Mental Health names cognitive behavioral therapy as a research-supported approach commonly used for generalized anxiety, and acceptance and commitment therapy as another option. Asking how a particular counselor works helps you know what to expect.

• How often do you work with people whose main concern is anxiety, worry or panic?
• How would you describe your approach to anxiety, in plain words?
• What might a typical session look like? Will there be anything to practice between sessions?
• How will we know whether it is helping, and how often will we check?
• If I also want to bring in faith, meditation or other practices, how would that work? If I do not, is that fine?
• If counseling is not enough, or I need more support, what would you suggest?

Questions about privacy

In Polk County these are often the questions that matter most, so ask them early.

• What are the limits of confidentiality, and can you explain them in plain words?
• What goes to my insurance company if I use my plan?
• How are records kept, and who can see them?
• Will you leave voicemails, and what will they say? Can you contact me only on my cell phone or by email?
• What happens if we see each other at the grocery store, at church or at a horse show?
• Do you know people I know, and how would you handle that?

Questions about cost and insurance

Money worries feed anxiety, so it helps to clear these up before the first session rather than after.

• Are you in network with my plan? What should I ask my insurer?
• What does a session cost if I pay myself?
• Is there a fee for missed or late-canceled sessions?
• If I am not using insurance, can I have a good faith estimate?

Questions about scheduling and logistics

Laura's main practice is in Charlotte, and her office at The Healing Cottage in Columbus is part-time. That makes these questions especially useful:

• Which days are you in Columbus, and is there a wait for a first appointment?
• How long are sessions, and how often do people usually meet at the start?
• Are video sessions possible, and from which states?
• What happens if winter weather or illness keeps me from coming in?
• What is the best way to reach you between sessions, and how quickly do you usually reply?
• What should I do in an emergency, given that you are not a crisis service?

Questions about medication

The National Institute of Mental Health notes that anxiety is often treated with psychotherapy, medication or both, and that the right plan depends on each person's needs, preferences and medical situation. A counselor does not prescribe, but it is reasonable to ask how they work alongside a doctor.

Useful questions include whether the counselor is willing to coordinate with your doctor, with your written permission, and what they would suggest if you are wondering whether medication might help. Decisions about starting, stopping or changing medication belong with your prescriber. Therapy or medication for anxiety covers the general picture.

Ready to ask Laura?

Call 704-706-3264 or use the contact page. You do not need to ask everything at once; pick the three or four questions that matter most to you and save the rest for the first session. Your first anxiety counseling session describes what happens next.

If you are in crisis, do not wait for a call back. Call or text 988 at any hour, or call Vaya Health's crisis line for Polk County at 1-800-849-6127. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Common questions