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Getting Help
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How to Assess Your Therapist
Women, Abuse and Trauma Therapy: An Information Guide
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Your relationship with your therapist is very important. If you are not comfortable with the way that your therapist is addressing
your issues, you can ask for a referral to (or a consultation with) another therapist or mental health professional. Alternatively,
you can bring in this guide and go through it with your therapist, explaining what you were expecting from therapy.
You can decide if the treatment you are getting is helpful or appropriate by asking yourself the following questions.
- Do you feel respected and validated by your therapist?
- Is the therapist working collaboratively with you as a partner, or is the therapist imposing his or her own suggestions on
you? (For example, do you work with your therapist to identify the central concerns)?
- Does your therapist view you as the expert on your own life?
- Does your therapist respond with warmth and empathy?
- Does your therapist believe that you can gain control over your responses?
- Does your therapist explain the process of therapy, review your experience with you, and see if it is helping?
- Do you feel that your therapist actively talks with you and gives you feedback (for example, does your therapist explain the
therapy and ask whether it is helping you)?
- Does your therapist have clear rules (for example, keeping the appointment time, not missing appointments, not starting late,
not rescheduling without an explanation, not running over time)?
- Does the therapist help you see your strengths and the effective ways that you have coped with your trauma? (For example,
does your therapist describe “symptoms and problems” as understandable ways that you have adapted and coped?)
- Does your therapist help you with your trauma responses (For example, help to “ground” you when you feel overwhelmed, or bring
you back to the present so that you can separate the past abuse from your current circumstance)?
- Does your therapist “check in” with you to see how you have been between sessions? (For example, does she or he ask questions
like: “How were you after last session?”; “Were you able to sleep?”; “Is this working?”; etc.)
- Does your therapist encourage you to be involved in different activities, meet with friends, explore other outlets to express
emotions (artistic, physical, spiritual)?
- Does your therapist ask you about other supports in your life and encourage you to be involved in other activities (For example,
paid/volunteer work, classes, meeting up with friends)?
- Does your therapist explain how trauma or long-term stress can cause changes to the body, mind and emotions?
- Has your therapist asked you to have a full medical examination to make sure that you do not have any medical problems that
could be adding to feelings of tension or discomfort in your body?
- Does your therapist ask you about depression, sleep problems or suicidal feelings? If you have difficulties with any of the
above, has the therapist suggested that you consult with a psychiatrist or medical doctor trained in trauma treatment to discuss
medication?
- Does your therapist use a variety of specialized skills and techniques that address your specific needs?
- If your therapist does not have a specific skill or knowledge, has she or he suggested a referral?
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Centre for Addiction
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