Questions-When finding a counselor or therapist?

[SWM]

i was thinking about the information that a potential client would like to know when looking for a counselor or psychotherapist and i thought i would throw this open to the community.

the question can be viewed from two perspective that of the client looking for a quality therapist or that of therapist wanting to give the most important and relevant information to the client?

what questions should a person ask when they first contact their potential therapist?
if you where a client what would like to know about your therapist?
what information is important and relevant for client to know about the therapist?
if you are a therapist what do you want your client to know about you service?

[cognitive]

As a client

a) I would want to know what kind of therapy is the therapist accredited to do, better if I could read his CV ;
b) what is that therapy about ;
c) how long does it take to feel completely well and equipped to manage on my own ;
d) how much will cost me ( aprox.) .


As a therapist ,I would like my client to know a little about the therapy I am practising and the price of a session.

[corwin137]

Philosophy.  Number one, by far, most important thing.  What is this "therapy" thing about, how is it supposed to work and why, what the therapist does about that.

I do think though, that from a patient perspective, some basics are important.  Education/experience, licensures/certifications, crash course about someone's CV/resume.  Also, diagnoses, etiology, treatment, and prognosis.