10 Consultation Questions to Ask a Trauma Therapist in Los Angeles

Trying to find a good trauma therapist in a big city like Los Angeles can be difficult. But let’s say you’ve narrowed down a list of good therapists, and they all offer consultations.  You may be wondering, “What should I ask them in a consultation?” or “How do I know if I found the right one?”  Below, I list 10 therapy consultation questions to ask a trauma therapist, counselor, or psychologist in Los Angeles (or wherever you are located!).

1) What are your specialties? 

 

Before you begin your journey, it’s important to check in with yourself and identify what you are seeking treatment for. Are you looking for someone that specializes in trauma? Are you looking for treatment for a specific disorder? A therapist that does solution-focused therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) will have a completely different approach than one that specializes in healing from childhood or generational trauma.  

2) What kind of clients do you get excited to work with? 

I love this question.  You can learn sooo much from this question! Pay attention to how the therapist answers this question.  Are they explaining someone that sounds like you and what you’re seeking treatment for?  Or are they answering it in a generalized way, i.e. “I love working with all ages with all kinds of struggles in all the possible treatment modalities in the world.”  If you are seeking treatment for something specific like trauma, it may be in your best interest to find someone with a set list of specialties vs. finding a counselor that just takes on everyone. 

3) Do you accept insurance? 

If you are looking for a provider who accepts insurance, it’s important to ask them if they accept the exact insurance you have. I also recommend that both parties run your insurance to verify coverage with the counselor to avoid any unexpected fees. 

4) What is your fee? 

 

Many therapists in Los Angeles don’t accept insurance, but if you have a PPO you may be eligible for some reimbursement from your insurance company.  Whether you are seeking reimbursement or paying out-of-pocket, you will need to pay the session fee up front.  Make sure you get a clear understanding of what the fees are per session.  Also, some counselors charge extra for different types of sessions, i.e. a higher price for the intake (aka the first session) or offer longer sessions at a higher price. 

5) How often do you recommend we meet? 

Each therapist is different in how they view treatment frequency. There are many factors to this.  Some recommend coming in bi-weekly, while others may prefer a set frequency of once a week, every week.  If you are busy and cannot make the time commitment for weekly sessions, ensure that you ask this question when you are looking for a therapist. It would be a total bummer to begin your intake only to realize that bi-weekly sessions are not an option. 

6) Do you use telehealth (virtual/online sessions) or only do in-person sessions?  

Before you ask this question, ask yourself how you would like to meet. Are you looking for in-person services, or does the idea of schlepping yourself around Los Angeles sounds more draining than it is helpful?  And if your therapist does do virtual sessions, ask them if they plan on continuing this or if they plan to return entirely to in-person.  Some counselors in Los Angeles also have the option of hybrid sessions (i.e. sometimes meeting in person, and sometimes meeting virtually). This question is super important if you are looking for a therapist in Los Angeles, Brentwood, Hollywood, or wherever you are located! Traffic here is ROUGH! 

7) What can I expect during the first session? 

If this is your first time in therapy, the initial session can feel kind of scary!  To ease any stress or anxieties you have about the first session, you can always ask the therapist what to expect. If they are a holistic therapist, you could ask them how they utilize holistic approaches in their therapy. If they are an anxiety specialist, you could ask them what methods they use for their anxiety treatment. If you are seeking help for anxiety, it may be helpful to ask if their sessions are structured, or unstructured?  Do they use a directive approach, or are they more the “sit-and-nod” type therapist? If you have high anxiety and the idea of silence in therapy makes you feel more skittish than excited, you may work better with a more directive therapist. 

 

8) How long do your clients typically work with you for? 

Depending on what you want to focus on with, the amount of time that you will be in therapy will differ.  If you are looking for a very specific solution to a situation or issue that is presently going on, then solution focused brief therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may only take a couple months.  If you are looking for more insight-oriented therapy, sessions for maintenance, or processing traumas, you may be in sessions for a year.  One approach is not better than the other. The approach that is best for you is, well, the one that is best for you and your situation! 

9) What is your approach to treating trauma in therapy (or whatever you want to work on, i.e. depression, self-esteem, childhood trauma, etc.)?

When you ask this question, do they have a clear and defined answer?  Do they have a direct answer with possible solutions?  Or do they skirt around the question with a general “one-size-fits-all” response?  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to spend my time and money on something that I can learn from the internet! 

10) How can trauma therapy help me? 

The final (and one of the most important questions) when searching for a good therapist in Los Angeles (or whatever city you are located in) is: “How can you help me?”  If the response sounds too vague or confusing, then this may not be the best therapist for you. I also recommend avoiding anyone who make specific promises that sound “too good to be true.”  Listen to the answer, check in with your body to see if any “alarm bells” go off, and go with your gut. It will be worth it.