Finding and engaging with a new therapist for help with eating disorder recovery can be challenging. Here are some useful questions to ask when you are searching for a potential therapist. It will be helpful to know upfront what education, knowledge, skills, interests and experience a provider has so that they can provide the right support and treatment for you.
- Are you accepting new patients?
- What is your appointment availability? How long does an appointment last? How often will we be meeting? Do you have availability to increase frequency of appointments, if necessary?
- What medical information do you require? Will I need a medical evaluation before entering your care?
- What do you charge for a session?
- What professional eating disorder specific training do you have? CBT, DBT, FBT, and ACT?
- What is your experience working with eating disorders?
- What percentage of your practice is devoted to treating clients with eating disorders?
- What role do you believe family members should play in treatment? How and when are family members included in the treatment process?
- How are individual treatment goals and objectives determined? How do you determine what treatment regimen I need?
- What is your process of referral to a higher level of care if that is needed? What approach to you take to get patient to accept a higher level of care?
- Do you offer Medicare or private health rebates where eligible?
- Do you believe in complete recovery? How do you define recovery and incorporate this philosophy into your treatment approach?
