Questions to ask a therapist in San Luis Obispo County, California

So you’ve completed your initial search for a therapist and you’ve narrowed it down to a few names. They all seem to have experience and appear to be fine people. You’ve looked through their profiles or websites, and now they’re offering a free consultation. What questions should you ask to make sure you are picking the best therapist for you?

Questions to ask a Therapist in SLO, California

This is new to you, so it might feel kind of scary, and that’s ok! It’s important to remember that therapists literally do this everyday! They are there to help you - so coming prepared with some questions of your own can help calm those nervous jitters and help you feel prepared.

Are are my top 5 questions to ask a potential therapist:

Question #1: What is your availability for sessions? Are you in-person, or all virtual?

Nothing is worse than making a great connection with a therapist that you can’t wait to meet with, and then realizing that your schedules do not align or they don’t see clients in your preferred method (either in person or online). Be sure to rule this out quickly to avoid the heartbreak of not being able to find a time and place that conveniently works for both of you! You might find this information on their FAQ pages before meeting for a consultation.

Question #2: Do you accept my insurance? How do billing and payment work?

This is another item that you want to be sure to check in on before making a strong connection with a therapist. It might be helpful to call your insurance plan before your consultation to see what they recommend, and if they will reimburse you if you work with an out of network provider. You can also ask your therapist about how often and when they charge, how they accept payment, and any late cancellation or no show fees to be aware of.

Question #3: Do you have experience working with the issues I am looking for help with?

You want to feel confident working with your new therapist! If you are working through some standard difficulties, you might not find this difficult. But if you are looking for a highly specialized therapist, you might find the search a little more daunting. If the therapist you are talking to doesn’t have the experience you are looking for, try asking if they know of any providers they would recommend that they think could help with your specific needs.

Question #4: How do you approach treating my particular concern?

Feel free to ask the therapist about their education and training. You can ask what their approach is like in session (are they directive, or more guiding?), do they assign homework, do they like to recommend resources outside of session? Do they have a specific ideology or philosophy that guides their approach? Notice how you feel as you listen to their answers- do they resonate for you, or just fall flat?

Question #5: What is a typical session like? How long are the sessions?

It is always helpful to know a little of what to expect before scheduling a first appointment. Knowing ahead of time how much time to set aside, and how the session will typically be formatted can be helpful in giving you an idea of their work.

You’re Ready for your Consultation!

I hope this helps you find the right therapist in California, or any other state! If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at 805-956-8555 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with depression, anxiety, life transitions, your relationship, or the impact of working in health care, you can read more about how I can help at my specialty pages.