Questions to ask a counselor, psychologist, or therapist in Sacramento
Questions to ask a therapist in Sacramento by Colleen King, LMFT
You’ve finally decided you’re tired of the same old shit and you want some help. So you start searching online for a therapist in Sacramento, and there’s so many options.
They all talk about how they can help you, but how do you know what they’re really like in person? And how do you know what kind of therapy will work best for you? What do you even ask a therapist during those free consultations?
Finding a therapist in Sacramento can feel really overwhelming, so here are some tips on what questions to ask to help you make the changes you want in your life.
What should I expect in a typical counseling session?
Find out if/how the first appointment may be different than subsequent ones. Here is where you can also ask if the therapist has a style of starting and ending sessions and about the structure or flexibility in their methods.
For example, I schedule 75-minutes for the first appointment and then usually move to 50-minute therapy sessions. The first appointment is longer so we can focus on what’s happening in your life now that you want to change and identify your counseling goals. Ask yourself if therapy did what you want it to do, what would be different in your life in three to six months?
We begin each session with those goals in mind. I am skilled at adapting to varied learning and processing styles, so we will create the structure and flexibility you need to succeed.
What kinds of therapy techniques do you use to help people with issues like mine?
It can be helpful to have a therapist explain the counseling concepts and methods they use to better help you understand what all the acronyms and psychobabble mean. Be sure to ask clarifying questions so the therapist can explain what it is and how it looks for you.
If you work with me, we’ll explore what you want out of therapy and then I’ll explain the different therapeutic approaches I use to give you the best outcomes. For me, as a specialist who provides therapy for anxiety in Sacramento, I help people understand what happens in their body and brain when anxiety arises, teach detailed skills to calm overthinking and icky physical sensations, and feel more in control.
What kinds of issues and people have the best therapy outcomes with you? Why?
This question can help the therapist explain their unique knowledge base and abilities, how they see their role, and the personality they bring to the appointments. It’s also helpful for you to know what the therapist expects of you during therapy sessions.
I’ve been a licensed therapist in Sacramento for 13 years, and for me, I focus on having great outcomes and that’s why I usually have a full schedule. My goal is to work myself out of a job by helping you identify what you want out of therapy, get into doing the hard work of self-awareness and change, celebrate your successes, and have you move on from therapy.
For example, as a specialist in therapy for bipolar disorder in Sacramento, I help people identify mood swing cues and triggers, as well as learn and actually practice the skills and routines that foster stability. I bring a creative and collaborative style and am energized by people who are willing to explore the unknown with my steady and compassionate guidance.
How will I know if therapy is working for me?
This is super important because it will give you information about how each therapist in Sacramento talks about how they help you establish your treatment goals, measures your progress along the way, and prepares you for ending therapy. You don’t want to be in therapy forever, so ask about the stages of treatment too.
Working with me means that we will focus on what’s happening in your life now that you want to change, develop the steps to create those changes, and frequently refer back to those goals as a way to ensure we’re moving in the right direction. If you don’t know what direction you want to go, that’s okay too. Plenty of people come to therapy knowing they want something different but aren’t sure what that looks like for them.
What if I have questions about what we’re doing in therapy, change my mind, or feel like therapy isn’t working for me?
Therapy should focus on what you want to get out of it. This means the therapist should be open to listening to your questions, concerns, confusion, or discomfort in sessions, and be willing to collaborate to foster an approach that meets your needs.
A highly skilled therapist should always be ready to acknowledge if/when they are not the best fit for you, and provide you with referrals to someone who may better serve your therapy goals.
When you work with me, I will encourage you to bring your worries, feedback, and questions to make sure I hear and understand you and your unique therapy needs. I want you to be fully engaged in therapy and come to your appointments with curiosity, willingness, and all of your emotions - including the really common experience of feeling afraid of your emotions. I’m a collaborative therapist that will offer gentle support to hold your confusion or fear, model direct communication, address your avoidance, and join you in both grief or laughter. If you want to know more, schedule your free 15-minute consultation here.
What am I agreeing to if I start seeing you as my Sacramento Therapist?
Gather as much information about the therapist’s policies so you’re clear what to expect from the therapist in Sacramento, and what the therapist expects of you when you schedule for your first appointment.
In my nine years in private practice therapy in Sacramento area, I’ve learned to streamline the onboarding process by using an electronic medical records program similar to what your doctor, dentist, or chiropractor may use. It’s an easy to use method to complete the intake paperwork online that is HIPAA compliant and secure.
I provide both video online therapy in California as well as appointments in person at my Sacramento counseling office. When the pandemic began in 2020, I moved to completely online video therapy because it allowed me to offer services to anyone throughout California, and was the safest method at the time. I continue to provide online video therapy because of it’s convenience and ease, and studies have shown that telehealth therapy is as effective as therapy conducted in person.
I’ve also offered in person therapy in my Sacramento counseling offices since 2014 near the corner of Fair Oaks Blvd and Howe Avenue, off of Hwy 50. My office is tucked behind the intersection in the quiet Campus Commons neighborhood, and right next to the Guy West Bridge, which spans the American River and connects to Sac State. I love that I can walk next door to the river trail and enjoy the scenic view of trees and water, or walk across the bridge to the college campus for a snack or to attend a special event.
Hopefully, these questions are helpful for you to find a therapist in the greater Sacramento area. I’m happy to help you further by offering a free 15-minute video consultation to answer any other questions you may have about finding a Sacramento therapist. You can schedule your free consultation by going to my online calendar by clicking here.
If you’re looking for help with managing chronic stress or anxiety, check out how I may support you by clicking here. To see how I may help you with therapy for low self-esteem and to foster a better relationship with yourself, click here. And if you’re wanting therapy help for depression or bipolar disorder treatment, click here or here.