"How long have you been practicing?"
Although most therapists list their credentials online, it may not be clear how long someone has been working as a therapist. As a sexual trauma survivor, aim to work with a provider who has at least a few years of experience under their belt, as sexual trauma is a complex circumstance that impacts many areas of mental, emotional, and physical health.
"What experience do you have working with sexual trauma survivors?"
This is an extremely important question to ask any potential therapist. While the therapist you’re interviewing may have training in certain trauma-informed techniques, ensure they have concrete experience working with sexual trauma survivors in their practice. A mature and trustworthy therapist will be transparent about their experience or lack thereof in this area.
"What therapeutic modalities or techniques do you practice?"
All therapists are different, and many use a variety of therapeutic approaches. For example, some practice art therapy, dance/movement therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing) therapy, and more. Do some research into these different modalities if you need to, and choose a therapist whose approaches, techniques, and philosophies appeal to you.
