How To Interview A Teen Therapist
You’ve spoken with your pediatrician, family, friends and google.
You have a list of potential therapists for your teenager.
But what are the questions to ask to determine if they are the right therapist for your teen?
(Downloadable PDF below)
Most teen therapists expect and welcome questions before scheduling with them. They want to know that they are the right fit for you as much as you want to know. In fact, a good therapist will appreciate that you’re being thorough and advocating for your teenager. You’re not just looking for any therapist; you’re looking for the right therapist for your unique teenager and your family.
Initial Consultations With Teen Therapists
When you initially call to make an appointment, our schedulers, who know our therapists really well, will take their time to answer all your questions. Sometimes, we find that there are questions only our teen therapists can answer. The good news is that most places you call are willing to give you 15-20 minutes of a free consultation with the teen therapist! This is an important decision you are making for one of the most important people in your life, so we get it.
I know – 15-20 might not feel like nearly enough time to make such an important decision about your teenager’s mental health. But remember that the consultation is just a first step to establishing a relationship. By asking the right questions in that time, you can feel more confident about making the jump to beginning the therapeutic relationship
This means you need to be strategic about your questions. You can’t ask everything on this list, so you need to prioritize what matters most for your family and your teenager’s specific situation.
How to Prepare To Talk To A Teen Therapist
Take a few minutes before you dial to think about your top 3-5 most important questions. What are the deal-breakers? What are the must-haves?
Maybe it’s finding someone who understands your teenager’s anxiety and has specific experience with school refusal. Maybe it’s ensuring they have experience working with LGBTQ+ teens, or that they can accommodate your family’s schedule with evening appointments. Maybe you need someone who can collaborate with your teen’s psychiatrist or work with the school district.
Write down your top priorities so you don’t forget them when you’re on the phone. Remember, you can always ask follow-up questions during the first session, but this initial call needs to help you determine whether it’s worth scheduling that appointment.
Pro tip: Start with your most important question first. Don’t save it for the end of the call when you might run out of time.
You don’t need to ask every question on this list. Pick the ones that matter most to your situation, and don’t be afraid to follow up with additional questions if something doesn’t feel clear. The goal is to use those 15 minutes wisely to determine if this therapist deserves a spot on your “let’s try a session” list.
Downloadable PDF of questions below
8 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Teen Therapist
Finding the right therapist is like finding the right doctor – you want someone with the right expertise, approach, and fit for your family. Here are the crucial questions to ask:
1. What’s Your Experience and Specialization with Teenagers?
Don’t just ask if they work with teens – ask about their specific training, how long they’ve been working with adolescents, and what percentage of their practice focuses on this age group. You want someone who has seen it all and understands the nuances of teenage development.
Also ask about their experience with issues your teen might be facing. If your teenager struggles with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or other specific challenges, you want someone who has expertise in those areas.
2. What’s Your Therapeutic Approach?
Different therapists use different methods, and what works for one teenager might not work for another. Some teens respond well to talk therapy, while others benefit from more creative or action-oriented approaches.
Ask about their methods and how they adapt their approach for different teenagers. Do they use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR), Sandplay Therapy, or other modalities?
3. Do You Work with Schools?
School is where your teenager spends most of their waking hours, and school-related stress is one of the biggest challenges teens face today. A good teen therapist should be prepared to collaborate with schools when necessary and appropriate.
This might involve helping with accommodations for anxiety or ADHD, addressing bullying situations, or communicating with school counselors and teachers. Ask about their experience advocating for students within school systems and their approach to school-related challenges.
4. How Do You Collaborate with Other Professionals?
Your teenager’s mental health doesn’t exist in isolation. Sometimes therapy works best alongside medication management with a psychiatrist, or in coordination with your teen’s pediatrician, tutors, or other support providers.
Ask how they approach collaboration with other professionals and whether they have experience working as part of a treatment team when necessary.
5. What’s Your Availability and Are You Able To See My Teen Regularly?
Teenagers have complicated schedules with school, sports, jobs, and other activities. Find out about the therapist’s availability and whether they can accommodate your teen’s schedule. Some therapists schedule on a first come first serve basis while others set aside a weekly appointment spot reserved for your teen. Some therapist offer both in-person and virtual sessions which can accommodate busy teens while others only offer one.
Some therapists offer appointments during school hours that correspond with free periods, while others have evening or weekend availability. Also ask about their policy for remote sessions, which can be more accessible and sometimes more comfortable for teenagers.
6. How Do You Approach Cultural Humility and Diversity?
This is where we need to have an important conversation about finding a therapist who can truly see and support your teenager for who they are.
Understanding Your Teen’s Full Identity
Your teenager exists at the intersection of multiple identities – their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodivergence, religious or spiritual beliefs, and family culture. A good therapist doesn’t just tolerate these differences; they actively work to understand and honor them. Here are some examples of how that can show up in therapy:
- Race and Ethnicity: Understanding your teen’s race and ethnic background provides insight into how cultural values influence family dynamics and individual development. If your family is part of a racial or ethnic minority, your teenager may be navigating discrimination, microaggressions, or the challenge of existing between cultures. A culturally humble therapist understands these experiences and doesn’t dismiss them as “typical teenage drama.” They recognize the additional stress that comes with navigating these challenges.
- Gender and Sexual Diversity: If your teenager is questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation, or if they’ve already come out as LGBTQ+, you need a therapist who is not just accepting but affirming. This means understanding the unique challenges LGBTQ+ teens face, being familiar with appropriate terminology, and creating a space where your teen can express and explore their identity safely.
- Neurodiversity: If your teen is an ADHDer, autistic, has learning differences, or other neurological variations, their therapist should understand how these differences impact their emotional and social development. It’s about helping your teen understand themselves and develop strategies that work with their brain, not against it.
- Religious and Spiritual Identity: Whether your family is deeply religious, spiritual in non-traditional ways, or secular, your teenager’s relationship with faith and meaning-making is part of their development. A good therapist respects these beliefs and understands how they might influence your teen’s worldview and coping strategies.
Ask direct questions. Don’t be afraid to ask about their experience working with teens who share your teenager’s identities. Ask about their training in culturally affirming therapy, their approach to working with diverse families, and how they stay educated about communities they might not personally belong to.
7. How Do You Involve Parents and Family?
This balance is crucial. You want a therapist who respects your teenager’s confidentiality while also providing you with the support and guidance you need as a parent.
Ask how they approach parent involvement.
Do they offer parent sessions?
How do they help families communicate better?
What kind of guidance do they provide to parents navigating the challenges of supporting a teenager in therapy?
8. What Are Your Fees and Insurance Policies?
Mental health care should be accessible, but the reality is that cost can be a barrier. Be upfront about discussing fees, insurance coverage, and payment options. Some therapists offer sliding scale fees, and it’s worth asking about this if cost is a concern.
Also ask about their policies regarding cancelled appointments, how they handle insurance claims, and what happens if your teenager needs more intensive support than weekly therapy can provide.
A Teen Therapist Who Isn’t The Right Fit
While you’re looking for the right fit, it’s also important to recognize potential flags that this won’t be a good fit. This could be a therapist who:
- Dismisses your concerns or minimizes your teenager’s struggles
- Seems judgmental about your family dynamics or cultural background
- Promises quick fixes or guarantees specific outcomes
- Violates confidentiality boundaries or makes you feel uncomfortable about the privacy of your teen’s sessions
- Doesn’t seem to connect with your teenager or who your teen consistently says they don’t like
Finding A Therapist Your Teen Feels Comfortable With
After you’ve asked your questions, pay attention to how the conversation felt. Did the therapist listen carefully to your concerns? Did they answer questions thoroughly without making you feel rushed? Did they seem genuinely interested in helping your teenager?
Remember, you’re not just evaluating their credentials – you’re getting a sense of whether this is someone your teenager might feel comfortable opening up to.
Choosing the Right Teen Therapist Near You
After you’ve spoken with a few therapists, take some time to process what you’ve learned. Which ones seemed like the best fit? Which ones made you feel most confident about your teenager’s care?
Consider involving your teenager in the final decision if they’re open to it. Show them the websites of your top choices, or share what you learned about each therapist’s approach. While you’re making the ultimate decision, your teen’s input can be valuable.
“What If I Have Other Questions?”
Remember that good therapists want to answer your questions. They understand that you’re entrusting them with your most precious relationship – the one with your child.
You have every right to be thorough, to ask hard questions, and to expect clear answers. You’re not being difficult – you’re being a responsible parent who refuses to settle for anything less than the best possible care for your teenager.
Trust yourself. You know your teen better than anyone, and you’ll recognize the right fit when you find it. The therapist who takes time to answer your questions thoughtfully, who demonstrates genuine care for adolescents, and who makes you feel confident about your teenager’s treatment – that’s the one.
Your Teen Is Lucky To Have A Parent Who Cares This Much
Now Are You Ready to Find the Right Fit for Your Teen?
At Brave Minds, our therapists specialize in working with teens facing anxiety, stress, identity challenges, and more. We know that choosing a therapist is a big decision, and we’re here to make the process as easy as possible. Our scheduling team will help match you with a clinician who fits your teen’s specific needs, personality, and goals.
Schedule a Free Consultation to talk through your teen’s needs with our scheduling team, or browse our therapist bios to see who might be the right fit.
Our Teen Therapists in NJ Also provide:
Depending on what your teen is navigating, these areas of our practice might be a helpful next step:
- Anxiety & Stress Management: Tools for school pressure, social anxiety, and panic.
- EMDR: For processing trauma or difficult life events.
- Sports & Performance Support: For athletes and dancers facing injury, performance anxiety, or burnout.
- Parent Coaching & Family Sessions: Helping parents support their teen’s progress at home.
- Neurodivergent-Affirming Care: Therapy that affirms autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD teens as they navigate school and relationships.