How Do You Interview a Grief Therapist? You need to feel comfortable sharing with any grief therapist that you’re considering hiring. Think of this process as them being interviewed by you.
Ask lots of questions in your search to find someone that fits your own life style.
- Where are you located?
- Is it close to a public transportation system? (needed if you don’t have a car)
- Is parking available?
- What are your hours of operation?
- Do you have any immediate openings?
- If you can’t fit me in, can you recommend other qualified therapists?
- How long is a session?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- What are your fees?
- Do you prefer to be paid at each session or can I carry a balance?
- Do you accept credit cards?
- Are you covered by my insurance?
- Will you bill direct to my insurer or must I?
- How does insurance reimbursement work?
- What’s a typical grief-counseling session like?
- What is your style or philosophy for grief counseling?
- Do you give guidance or do you prefer not to make suggestions?
- Are there particular techniques that you have found helpful for dealing with grief?
- What time frame can I hope for in terms of feeling better than I feel now?
If you don’t feel comfortable with any of their answers, then think twice before hiring them. You need to be sure that they will understand and listen to your grief journey. If you do try them and you don’t connect at the first meeting, give them at least three sessions before you stop seeing them. Sometimes it takes a few sessions for both of you to get comfortable with each other.
To Our Shared Journey,
Mary Francis is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®, Certified Law of Attraction Facilitator, Early Intervention Field Traumatology (EIFT) and Author/Founder of “The Sisterhood of Widows”
Robin M.
I have had a wonderful grief counselor and did the sessions through an online zoom meeting. I can give anyone contact information if you would like.