Despite living in Los Angeles, one of the most saturated markets for psychotherapy, trying to find a therapist who a) is the right fit for you, b) has current openings, and c) will actually call you back, is increasingly more difficult. We hear horror stories all of the time about people never hearing back from therapists they’ve sent inquiries to or feeling very discouraged not knowing where or how to even start looking for a therapist.

In therapy, it is very common to have questions about yourself, the therapeutic process, and your therapist. Over the years that I have practiced as a therapist, I have seen a common thread of questions that are frequently asked by my clients. We hope the answers to these six common therapy questions will help you understand therapy better and feel validated in your experience.

This first step to beginning therapy takes insight and a belief (or want to believe) that it is okay to prioritize yourself and your mental health. Let me affirm this step—you are worthy of help, betterment, and deeper relationships. Read on for helpful steps to make starting therapy feel a little bit easier!