Questions to Ask a Counselor, Psychologist, or Therapist in Santa Clarita, CA

So you have finally decided that maybe it really is time to reach out and find some more support. Here in Santa Clarita, many people find themselves struggling to find time to make this a priority. Between commuting and working and managing the rest of your life, you feel strapped for time as it is. Plus, it’s hard to know what to prioritize when researching a therapist or psychologist.

Maybe you did some quick internet research or even asked around for recommendations if you felt brave enough. And some of the therapists you found in Santa Clarita seemed nice enough, but what now? A lot of them mention doing a consultation first, but what should you even ask?

Questions to Ask a Therapist in Santa Clarita

If it’s your first time reaching out to a therapist, it can be a little intimidating! We know that it’s so difficult to pick up that phone and make the first call, so we want to try to make that process as easy and understandable as we can.

Also, don’t be surprised if you have to leave a voicemail message on your first call. Due to the nature of our work, many therapists often have incoming calls go directly to voicemail. It really helps us connect with you if you can leave some good times for a return call in your message. If leaving a voicemail is a bit too intimidating, most therapists also have email addresses.

Once you are on the phone with (or sending emails to) your potential new therapist, here are some questions to keep in mind:

1. What kind of training and experience does this therapist in Santa Clarita have in working with my issues?

   An important part of being successful in therapy is feeling like your therapist is knowledgeable about your issues and has the skills to help. For example, if you have OCD, you may find more success with someone who has completed multiple trainings and consultations versus a therapist who has only learned about OCD in their graduate school classes.

2. How does this therapist in Santa Clarita usually work with situations, issues, or symptoms like mine?

   It really helps to get a sense of what sorts of techniques or approaches your therapist may use before you see them. Knowing this information up front can help with researching their approach and feeling comfortable moving forward. Asking this question also really helps avoid unpleasant surprises when the way the therapist works turns out to be totally different from what you expected.

3. What is the usual fee per session for therapy?

   Good therapy can be a significant financial commitment. Make sure you know up front what the fee per session is likely to be and what you can reasonably afford. It also helps to know what insurance benefits are available to you and how they might shift the affordability of therapy. If the therapist’s fee is not something you can do for more than 2-3 sessions, then you may want to look for a more affordable alternative. In research studies, therapy is often done in 8-10 session protocols at minimum, so being able to afford at least that many sessions is a good initial estimate.

We hope that this helps you begin to find the right therapist in Santa Clarita, CA. If you are still feeling really stuck, please feel free to contact us for a free 15-minute consultation for therapy in Santa Clarita. We would be happy to hear about what is happening in your life and to help direct you toward the right person. If you are looking for an anxiety therapist in Santa Clarita, a child psychologist, or a therapist that specializes in OCD, or an autism and anxiety expert, we’ve got you covered.