Start with the license
In California, psychotherapists are licensed by state boards. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors are licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, and psychologists are licensed by the Board of Psychology. You can look up any of these licenses, free, on the California Department of Consumer Affairs license search. It shows whether a license is current and whether there has been any public disciplinary action.
A license tells you the person has completed a graduate degree, supervised clinical hours and state examinations, and that they are accountable to a regulator. It does not tell you whether they will be the right person for you, but it is the right place to start. My own license is LMFT, California license 36950, and you are welcome to look it up.
Understand the titles
Therapist titles can be confusing. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. A psychologist holds a doctoral degree in psychology and a psychology license. Marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers and professional clinical counselors hold master's degrees or higher and are licensed to provide psychotherapy. Some therapists also hold a PhD, which is an academic degree rather than a license, and which does not by itself make someone a psychologist.
For most people looking for talk therapy, any of these licensed professionals can be a good choice. What matters more is their experience with your particular concern and whether you feel comfortable with them.
Know the telehealth rule
Online therapy makes it possible to work with a therapist anywhere in the state, which widens your choice considerably. The rule to know is that a therapist can generally provide therapy only to people who are physically located in a state where the therapist is licensed. With a California-licensed therapist, you need to be in California at the time of each session. If you travel often or live part of the year elsewhere, ask how the therapist handles that.
Telehealth also means asking about privacy. A good therapist uses a secure video platform and can tell you how your information is protected.
Look for relevant experience
Most therapists list their specialties on their websites. Look for someone who clearly works with what you are bringing, whether that is grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, a relationship, or a particular stage of life. Read how they describe their work. Does it sound like something you would want? A therapist's writing often gives you a good sense of how they will be in the room.
Methods matter too, though often less than people think. Approaches such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems, CBT or somatic therapy each have strengths, and a therapist trained in several can match the method to you. If a particular approach has been recommended to you, ask whether the therapist is trained in it.
Be clear about cost
Ask about the session fee, the length of sessions, the cancellation policy, and whether the therapist is in network with your insurance. Many therapists in private practice are out of network, which means you pay the fee directly and may be able to claim some of it back using a superbill. If you are paying for therapy yourself, you have the right to a Good Faith Estimate of expected costs before you begin.
It is completely reasonable to ask these questions up front. A good therapist will answer them plainly.
Use the consult well
Many therapists, including me, offer a short free consult. You do not need to prepare your history. Describe briefly what brings you, and ask what you want to know. Some useful questions:
- How do you usually work with what I am describing?
- What would the first few sessions look like?
- How often would we meet, and at what times?
- What are your fees, and how does cancellation work?
- What should I do if I am in crisis between sessions?
Notice how it feels
After the call, notice how you feel. Did you feel listened to? Did the therapist seem to understand what you were saying? Did you feel respected, including in how they talked about your beliefs, identity and choices? That felt sense of fit is one of the best guides you have.
Be wary of anyone who guarantees results, pressures you to commit, or is vague about fees, confidentiality or their license. And remember that choosing a therapist is not a permanent decision. If it does not feel right after a few sessions, it is fine to say so and look for someone else.
This article is general information, not therapy or medical advice, and reading it does not create a therapist-client relationship. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911.