Choosing a therapist

Women, Abuse and Trauma Therapy: An Information Guide

On this page:

• Things to consider when looking for a therapist
• Questions to ask potential therapists
• Questions to ask yourself

Things to consider when looking for a therapist

Therapy for abuse-related trauma is usually a long-term commitment. The first abuse you suffered was most likely in your childhood. You may have spent many years trying to deal with the pain of an abusive experience. So, taking the time to find a therapist you're comfortable with is very important.

Anyone can call himself or herself a “psychotherapist,” “therapist” or “counselor” and advertise his or her services without having any special training. There is no one to regulate these types of therapists or respond to any complaints about them.

It is important to find out what kind of qualifications a therapist has before you agree to start therapy with her or him. Good therapists should want to explain to you where they were educated and if they have any special training in various areas of therapy. A professional therapist may be a psychologist, a social worker or a psychiatrist. Your therapist should at least have a university degree in a clinical counselling field at a graduate level, from a recognized university.

It is very important to find a professional with specialized training in trauma therapy, and experience working with women who have been abused.

Most therapists who offer trauma treatment have completed specialized education and courses in post-traumatic stress. This extra training can be in the form of programs offered at universities, hospital- or community-based workshops, professional training programs, seminars and conferences.

If you feel more comfortable with a therapist who is the same gender, sexual orientation or ethnic background as you, then consider this before you start looking for a therapist. When getting a referral to a trauma therapist, try to get more than one name, and get on several waiting lists, if necessary. It is usually worth waiting to work with a mental health professional with specific training and skills necessary for trauma treatment.

Questions to ask potential therapists

Take this list of questions with you when you are interviewing therapists. Write down the answers in a notebook. A professional therapist should be happy to answer all of these questions. Also notice how the therapist responds to your questions: are you comfortable with the therapist's manner?

Questions about qualifications and professional experience

• What are your qualifications?
• Do you belong to a recognized professional organization?
• How long have you been providing therapy?
• What experience do you have in treating abuse-related trauma?
• How do you approach treatment for simple post-traumatic stress?
• How do you approach treatment for complex post-traumatic stress?

Questions about the therapist's practice

• What do you charge for the therapy you provide?
• Are you covered by OHIP or by third-party insurance?
• Do you have a sliding scale (people pay what they can afford for the therapy)?
• How long are sessions?
• When and how do you bill?
• What is your policy about cancellations or missed sessions?
• What are your rules about phone calls between sessions or contact outside of therapy?
• What is your policy about physical contact with clients?
• What happens if you go on vacation or take time off?

Other important questions

• Have you ever had a formal complaint made against you?
• Have you ever been disciplined or censured (official disapproval) by a professional organization?
• Do you think we can work together and that you can help me?
• Is there anything else I need to know about your services?

Questions to ask yourself

After interviewing the potential therapist, ask yourself the following questions:

• Did the therapist answer openly and without being defensive?
• Did the therapist encourage my questions?
• Did the therapist treat me and my questions with respect?
• Did the therapist answer the questions in a way that I could understand?
• Was the therapist's approach to therapy similar to what this guide describes?
• Do I think the therapist has experience and qualifications to do this work?
• Could I imagine talking to this person about personal issues?
• Can I afford this therapy?

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