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courage my clients to ask questions, just as I would,
QUESTIONS TO
ASK A THERAPIST
By Dr. Tanya Martin
I false belief that the therapist already knows what
have been a clinical psychologist for almost three
decades, and it has been my practice to ask my
clients at the conclusion of each session, “Do you
have any questions, comments, or concerns?” Sur-
prisingly, once that question is asked, there is usually
a pause and many of my patients often say, “No, I
don’t” or, “I can’t think of anything right now.” I must
admit, that response often surprises me because I’ve
usually spent
45-60 minutes asking them some very personal
questions, and in most cases, they’ve responded with
great candor, detail, and truth. And yet, they have no
questions for me. I find that curious because, in an
effort to deepen one’s therapeutic experience, it is
often very helpful to acquire more information about
the person you’ve chosen to assist you.
Therefore, as a therapist, I work to be candid and en-
8 | HELPFUL LIVING MAGAZINE
when I meet with any healthcare provider for the first
time. For example, after having the same dentist for
over 30 years, a few years ago, I had a dental emer-
gency and my dentist was on vacation and there was
no one available to meet with me. After sharing this
disappointment with my mother, she gave me the
contact information for her dentist, and to my sur-
prise, I was able to get in the same day. After the ini-
tial examination, I was informed that my tooth could
not be saved and would have to be pulled. Needless
to say, I was devastated and immediately concerned
about the possibility of pain and being without a
tooth. Because I’d been with my dentist for so long,
I wanted to know more about this dentist before I
agreed to allow her to pull my tooth. Consequent-
ly, I began to contemplate questions, and once the
questions about possible pain and tooth replacement
were asked, I realized that I wanted to know more
about the dentist—her training, how long she’d been
a dentist, how many teeth she’d pulled, and most
importantly, why was it necessary to pull mine. To my
surprise and satisfaction, she kindly and with a great
deal of patience answered each of my questions. As
a result, she went on to pull my tooth and she’s been 1. Why Do I Need Therapy? health problems or concerns. This is done via talk
my dentist for the last three years. The need for therapy is very personal, just as the therapy, where the therapist engages the patient in a
I shared the above story to illustrate the importance need to obtain any form of healthcare. Those needs myriad of questions, obtained from the background
of asking questions of ANY and ALL healthcare pro- can range from: depression, anxiety, post-traumat- history they provided, along with, the issue/concern
that brought them to therapy.
viders that we share very personal parts of ourselves
ic stress disorder, marital problems, work related
with. It’s especially important to have a very open and stressors, self-esteem issues, obsessive-compulsive
honest relationship with your therapist/doctor and in disorders, personal fears, and abuse, just to name a 3. What Is My Diagnosis and What Type of Treat-
order to have that, it is necessary for the patient to
few. Consequently, whenever the need for therapy is
ask the therapist questions. Unfortunately, questions realized or recommended, it should be taken very se- ment Will Be Provided?
The answer to this question should be given with
riously and this should be done by, seeking help from, clarity and comprehension. In other words, the
are withheld due to a patient’s embarrassment or a
a mental health professional.
response must be explained in such a way that the
they are thinking. Of course, this is a false narrative
person is able to easily understand it, along with why
and should be dismissed and the question(s) should 2. What Is the Difference Between a Psychologist it was given and how it should be treated. Addition-
be asked, in order to receive the best and most com-
prehensive therapeutic experience possible. Further, and a Psychiatrist? ally, the therapist should be prepared to answer any
although there are a myriad of other questions that In my years as a clinical psychologist and college follow-up questions. For example, if a person is given
can and should be asked, in my experience, these are professor, I’ve been asked this question quite a bit a diagnosis of: Major Depressive Disorder (Recurrent
the top four and they are as follows: and the basic difference between the two is that a Type) it is given because the person has reported five
psychiatrist is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O) who or more symptoms of depression, (i.e., lack of mental &
1. Why do I need therapy? specializes in mental health and has the training physical motivation, sadness, crying spells, poor sleep
pattern, significant weight loss or gain, etc.) nearly
and license to prescribe medications for people with every day for a period of two weeks or more. Fur-
2. What is the difference between a psychologist mental health concerns or problems. On the other thermore, this diagnosis is often the result of some-
and a psychiatrist? hand, a psychologist is not a medical doctor and thing sad or negative happening in that person’s life.
3. What’s my diagnosis and What Type of Treatment can’t prescribe medication. Instead, their specialty is Consequently, the treatment that I often recommend
Will Be Provided? in treating individuals with emotional and/or mental is, Individual Therapy, a minimum of once per month
4. How do I get in touch with You, After Business problems. Also, a psychologist works with the patient or a maximum of four times per month. Also, in an
Hours or In Case Of an Emergency? to assist them in better understanding their mental
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