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Information for Victims and Victim Advocates on Sexual Exploitation by
Counselors and Therapists
Choosing a Counselor
 It has taken me five
years to get to a point where I am no longer preoccupied by what happened to me in
therapy. Maybe I can start to work on what brought me here in the first place, but
it seems harder and more complicated now. I hope I can trust this counselor.
Through counseling you may learn new ways
to cope with and to have a greater enjoyment of life. It's important to remember
that you are an active participant in the whole process of counseling. This means
trusting yourself and your feelings as you begin to choose a counselor and throughout your
counseling. Before you choose a counselor, remember that you are a consumer.
You are purchasing a service from a professional and you have choices about whether you
want to begin such a relationship. You have many rights in the relationship
including the right to contract for the services you wish and the right to end the
relationship whenever you choose. You have many things to consider about the
counselor, including credentials, values, personal style, standard procedures, and
fees. These may reflect the policy of the agency or clinic, the individual
counselor, or both. You may want to consult with more than one counselor before
making a choice. Often there is a charge for this consultation.
After talking with a counselor or counselors, you need to decide whether
to continue with counseling and with which counselor. If you felt negatively towards
a counselor, don't see him or her again. Explaining to the counselor the reasons for
your decision might give you a sense of closure. If you are unsure about a
counselor, you may want to talk with him or her again to clarify some points, talk about
your uncertainty with a trusted friend, or to consult with another counselor before
deciding. If you feel positively towards the counselor and are comfortable with the
information you've gathered, go ahead with the counseling.
Questions to consider when choosing a counselor:
What are your training, experiences, areas of specialization? Are
there particular techniques you use?
Will you discuss my treatment plan with me? What happens if we
disagree about my goals?
Are you licensed or registered by the state?
To what professional organization do you belong?
Do you follow a professional code of ethics? Which one?
Have you ever had a charge of unethical conduct brought against you?
For what length of time do you usually treat clients?
What ongoing professional training and/or supervision do you receive?
Will you be discussing my case with a supervisor?
Do you have physical contact with clients? Under what
circumstances?
Do you think you can work with me? Why?
Do you charge for an initial consultation? Do you charge for a
phone consultation?
How much do you charge for each counseling session? Will my
insurance pay for this counseling? How long will our appointments be?
You may want to ask questions pertaining to the counselor's values,
biases or attitudes which may affect your counseling. For example: What is
your attitude toward gays and lesbians? Abortion? Non-traditional living
arrangements?
Questions to ask yourself after meeting a counselor:
Did you feel respected?
Did you feel heard, understood?
Did you feel safe?
Are you comfortable with the personal style of the counselor?
Were you comfortable with the office atmosphere?
Was the counselor direct or evasive? Were you satisfied with the
answers to your questions?
Are you comfortable with the counselor's assessment of you and suggested
treatment plan?
Copyright © 1988 Minnesota Coalition Against
Sexual Assault, with edits by AdvocateWeb.
[ Intro ] [ Introduction ] [ Definitions of Sexual Exploitation ] [ Warning Signs ] [ If it is You ] [ Questions You May Be Asking ] [ Counselors Who Exploit ] [ Consider the Options ] [ You Don't Have to Do This Alone ] [ For Concerned Persons ] [ Choosing a Counselor ] [ Client's Bill of Rights ]
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