Finding the right therapist for depression in Chicago can feel very overwhelming, and the questions you ask during your first consultation matter a lot.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the questions you should ask to quickly figure out if the therapist is a good fit, and why it’s so important to take time initially to find the right person for your needs.
At Nexum, we help hundreds of clients match with the most qualified therapists across Chicago, so we know exactly what to look for.
Why the Right Fit Matters for Depression
The connection you have with your therapist does play a role in how effective your therapy will be.
Studies from the American Psychological Association show that this relationship is among the strongest predictors of whether therapy will lead to better outcomes.
Having a stronger connection to your therapist will help in many ways during the actual treatment:
- Communication style – You want someone who listens and communicates in a way that fits your personality.
- Trust and safety – A better connection will lead to you feeling more comfortable feeling vulnerable and getting to the root cause of your depression.
- Motivation to continue – If the match doesn’t feel right, you’re much less likely to stick to your sessions.
Depression can make it tough to speak up for yourself if you feel like it isn’t a good fit, but don’t let this stop you.
There is a lot of hope for finding a better therapist the second time around, and you can also use the questions below to have a much better chance of avoiding this in the first place.
Questions You Need To Ask
Asking questions before you start is a quick and easy way to figure out if it will be a good fit or not.
You can also streamline the process by letting us connect you with a therapist in Chicago who specializes in depression. This way, you will have access to the best therapists right off the bat, and you can ask them as many questions as you like.
Experience with depression
The first thing is to ask how much experience the therapist has treating depression and how many clients they’ve worked with who struggled with it.
Depression requires a specific skillset, and some therapists are more suited for this than others, so don’t hesitate to ask them about it.
Therapy approach
Ask which therapy methods they use for depression.
The most common evidence-based approaches are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).
Ask them to explain their approach in plain language and how it might apply to your situation.
Progress tracking
Asking about progress tracking is also important.
Find out how often they check in on your progress and if they change the plan when things aren’t moving forward. Regular reviews help keep therapy focused on what matters to you.
If progress stalls or things get worse, ask what they do in those situations. A good therapist should have strategies for handling setbacks and be willing to adjust the approach.
What to Notice After Your First Few Sessions
The first few sessions can tell you a lot about whether the relationship will help your depression
Don’t expect instant results, but do pay attention to how you feel during and after each meeting.
Look out for the following indications that things are going well:
- You actually feel heard
- The therapist asks thoughtful questions about your symptoms
- You feel safe enough to open up
As you progress through treatment, your therapist should remember what you have worked on and continue to build on it.
Red flags to watch for:
- Feeling rushed or brushed off when you share
- The therapist seems distracted or keeps checking the time
- You leave feeling worse every time, with no sense of progress
- They get defensive when you bring up concerns
Trust your gut. Not every therapist, no matter how qualified, will be right for you – and that’s okay.
If things still feel off after three or four sessions, bring it up with your therapist. The right professional will listen and try to address your concerns. But if nothing changes, it’s completely valid to look for someone else who fits better.
When It’s OK to Change Therapists
Switching therapists is a lot more common than you would think, and actually the right thing to do if therapy is not prgressing how you want.
You should consider changing therapist if:
- You don’t feel heard or understood
- Your therapist constantly changes the dates or reschedules
- You’re not seeing any progress at all after several months
- Their approach doesn’t match what you’re looking for
Finding the right fit takes trust and a bit of vulnerability. Some people click with their therapist right away, while others need more time to build that connection.
It’s important to remember that feeling uncomfortable isn’t always a bad sign. Therapy can be hard, and sometimes your therapist will challenge you.
The key is whether you still feel supported, even when things get tough.
- Talk honestly with your therapist about your concerns
- Give it a few sessions (usually three or four) to see if things improve
- Try to pinpoint specific issues, not just a general sense of dissatisfaction
You don’t owe it to anyone to stick with a provider who isn’t helping you. Therapy works best when you feel comfortable and confident with your therapist.
If you do decide to move on, you can ask your current therapist for recommendations or help making the transition.
Let Us Help You
Depression can be difficult enough to deal with on its own without worrying about finding a therapist.
At Nexum, we know how hard it can be to reach out and get the help you need, which is why we work with the very best therapists across Chicago and connect clients with them instantly.
This way, you don’t need to worry about searching and potentially finding the wrong therapist. If you’re feeling overwhelmed about the prospect of finding a therapist, reach out to our team, and we can help you today.