FWIW, here's a list of questions I've developed to use in doing phone interviews of potential C's, to enhance my chance of finding a good one with real potential to help us. My experience has shown there are plenty of C's that offer nothing but "cheeseless tunnels" (I think I understand that reference now... does it have to do with rats in a maze?), and I also think I have a pretty good understanding of which approaches and philosophies offer the best promise. Since there are no real enforcable standards, at least around here, and I'm going to be putting up my hard-earned $$$, I will insist on ensuring that any therapy is based on good, hard scientific approach, not on opinion, "experience" or voodoo-pseudo-science. There are some very good and well-documented approaches now, many of which I've read in a fair bit of detail, so hopefully I'll be able to find a C with some serious creds. Here then, is the list, offered in the hope that others may find it useful. I'm also interested in additional suggestions from others who may have had success finding a good C. BTW, Question 6 is a "trick" question - it's meant to ferret out the C's who are biased towards divorce. The correct answer would be "I would never suggest that option - that decision is up to the couple themselves, no-one else could know if that's the best option." or something like that.
1. What is the main focus of your practice (i.e. what issue(s) do you most often deal with)?
2. What can you tell me about your approach and philosophy?
3. To what extent is your approach based on the works of: - Dr. John Gottman? - Michele Wiener-Davis? - David Schnarch?
4. What other authors/researchers have influenced your approach?
5. Please describe your process for getting to know new clients? How long does it last?
6. At what point would you consider counseling a couple that divorce may be the best option?
7. Do you have evening appointments available?
8. What are your fees?
I'll let you guys know how this works for me. I fully expect it may take a few weeks to find the right C. This should, at least, give me a fighting chance of finding someone with the "right stuff"...
