Starting therapy can feel a lot like stepping onto a dance floor. It’s vulnerable. A little awkward. And deeply personal. The connection between you and your therapist matters more than most people realise. When the rhythm is right, therapy can be transformative. When it isn’t, it can feel frustrating or even unsafe.
Many people hesitate to seek therapy not because they don’t want help, but because they’re unsure how to choose the right therapist. This isn’t about finding the “best” therapist on paper. It’s about finding someone who understands your pace, respects your boundaries, and can move with you through difficult moments.
Choosing a therapist is not blind trust. It’s an informed, thoughtful process. Just like dance, it requires curiosity, presence, and asking the right questions before committing.
Here are 12 important questions you can ask before choosing your therapy dance partner.
1. How long have you been practising?
2. What licences and professional memberships do you hold?
3. What are your fees and cancellation policies?
4. Have you worked with clients facing concerns similar to mine?
5. What are your strengths and limitations as a counsellor?
6. What approaches or modalities do you use, and how do you work?
7. Do you receive supervision or peer consultation?
8. What would a typical session look like for my situation?
9. How long are sessions, and how often do you recommend meeting?
10. What helps clients make progress in therapy?
11. Can therapy work alongside medication or other supports?
12. Is there anything I should prepare before sessions?
Therapy is not about being fixed. It’s about being met, understood, and supported. When the connection feels safe, respectful, and attuned, therapy becomes less about “doing the work” and more about moving together through it.
Choosing the right therapist is choosing a partner who can dance with you through uncertainty, healing, growth, and self-discovery at your pace.
If you’re considering therapy, trust yourself to ask questions. The right partner won’t be threatened by them. They’ll welcome them.
