Questions to Ask When Looking for a Therapist in Roseville, CA
Finding the Right Therapist in Roseville
So you decided it was time to find a therapist, you went to Google, and you narrowed down a couple of potential therapists. (If you need help with that, check out my previous blog on this topic.) You’ve noticed that almost every therapist offers a “free consultation” and you may be wondering what this is for. Basically a consultation is for you and the therapist to talk on the phone and determine if it will be a good fit. So what questions should you ask? I do have a couple of suggestions, being a therapist myself. However, first, sit down and think about if there is anything that is a “deal breaker” or a must-have in your therapy journey. A good fit can make all the difference in your healing journey. Write those thoughts or questions down so you remember to ask them during your consultation call. If you can’t think of anything, no worries I got you.
Question 1: What Are Your Areas of Expertise as a Therapist in Roseville?
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you want to make sure the therapist you’re going to actually specializes in the issues you’re seeking help with. For example, I specialize in perinatal mood disorders and online therapy for trauma. Put simply, I specialize in mental health disorders that come up specifically during pregnancy and postpartum. I also see clients who would like to use brainspotting to work through anxiety and/or trauma (to name a few).
When you’re talking to the therapist, it may give you peace of mind to ask what makes them an “expert” in this specialty or field. Did they complete a certification, research, or simply have lots of experience with that particular population? For example, I am certified in both perinatal mood disorders and brainspotting, which is why I list them as my specialties.
Question 2: How Do You Tailor Your Approach to Each Client?
This may or may not be important to you. As a therapist, my answer is usually “It depends on the client, each person is different.” Which is a boring, but true answer. However, some therapists specifically use a certain approach in their therapy with every client. An example of this would be if I used brainspotting with every single client. Or another therapist might use strictly ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) with every single client.
Question 3: What Experience Do You Have Working with Your Specialty?
As mentioned before, it might be important for you to have a therapist who has worked with said issue for ___ amount of years. Or, it may be important to you if your therapist has experienced the same issue as you have. For example, if you’re pregnant or postpartum maybe you would find it useful to have a therapist who struggled with that time period or is a parent themselves. You may find it important to know they really understand your lived experience. I will admit as a therapist this can be a controversial question. We are taught not to overshare about ourselves, and when we are asked about our own experiences, it can possibly lead us to an ethical dilemma. However, if their answer resonates with you- whichever way they answer- then maybe you found the right fight.
How Do You Decide?
Once you’ve finished your consultation call, the therapist may ask if you want to book with them or if you would like to take some time to think about it. Absolutely do not feel pressured to book on the spot. It might be best to take some time after your phone call and see how the conversation felt. Especially if you spoke with multiple therapists. My best advice for this would be to follow your gut. Usually, the best therapist for you is going to be one that you feel a genuine connection with.
Book Your Free Consultation with Me
Are you ready to find an online therapist in Roseville who truly understands your needs? As a specialist in online therapy for trauma and pregnancy/postpartum counseling, I provide compassionate, tailored support to help you heal and thrive. Contact me today for this free 15-minute consultation I’ve been talking about!