Eureka is a beautiful place to live especially when we get one of those beautiful sunny days, but when it comes to finding help whether it’s through counseling, for a doctor, or you are looking for a specialist of some kind, it can be hard to find someone who understands and has the expertise you are looking for. Many people that live here even feel that they have to look out of county to find what they need. And in some cases this may be true, but we do have many great counselors in Eureka. You can look at my blog on Finding A Counselor In Eureka  for more information on that.

Once you have found a few therapists in Eureka that you are interested in contacting, you probably have a ton of questions- that’s totally normal. Seeking or asking for help can be difficult for many of us and it can be hard to take that first step, but having more information definitely helps! My goal in this post is to answer some frequently asked questions in the hope that contacting an online or in person therapist will feel less intimidating so that you can find the online or in person therapist that is the right fit for you.

The questions below are some questions I frequently get asked or questions I think it would be helpful to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Talking To A Therapist In Eureka Really Help Me? People usually decide to talk to a counselor when their pain overwhelms their ability to cope on their own and they recognize they need help. Part of the process of therapy is helping you to rediscover your strengths so you feel able to cope with life and it’s daily stressors again.

2. What Should I Be Looking For In An Online Or In Person Counselor? There are lots of good online or in person therapists doing all types of therapy. Studies say though, that it is the trusting relationship between the client and therapist that helps therapy be successful more than the technique the therapist used. This means there needs to be a “good fit” where you feel able to trust the therapist and be open about your story. If possible, do an initial phone consultation and ask if they have experience in helping people with similar issues or concerns to the ones you are calling about. If it goes well, schedule your first session.

3. How Will I Know If You Are The Right Therapist For Me? The only way to know for sure would be to do the initial free consultation and schedule a session if it feels like a good fit initially. Does the online or in person therapist seem like someone you could trust? Remember, a trusting relationship is what helps therapy to work. Most people can tell in the first couple sessions whether it is a good fit or not. You can also look at the online or in person therapist’s website, blog, and social media to find out more information.

4. What Kind Of Clients Do You Work With? While most online or in person therapists work with the majority of mental health issues, online or in person therapists also often have a specialty or area of expertise. For example, my specialty is working with individuals, children, teens, parents, and families that are experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma.

5. What Can I Expect From Online Or In Person Counseling? Once you have decided to see a counselor in Eureka, you could still be nervous about the process. That’s completely normal, most people feel this way. Therapy is a journey, a shared path that you will take with your online or in person therapist, but ultimately it is your journey and you will be able to choose and guide what is best for you. As an online or in person therapist, I may not always have all the answers, but I will ask thoughtful questions and help you seek the resources you need. Your responses to these questions will help to shape our work. You can expect to be respected and that I will offer suggestions to help you make changes in your life, but I will not tell you what to do.

6. Will I Need To Be In Online Or In Person Therapy For A Long Time? How Often Will I Need To Have Online Or In Person Therapy? While as therapists, we learn various types of therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, EMDR), every client is different with different needs as far as how long online or in person therapy is needed for. For example, someone that is trying to resolve one trauma will likely get through the healing journey more quickly than someone with 15 traumas they are working through.

In terms of how often online or in person therapy needs to happen, I have found that weekly therapy is the most helpful in gaining momentum in working on issues. Those that come less often tend to have a slower healing process.

7. Can We Meet Virtually? Do You Provide Online Counseling? Yes, online therapy is available. Many therapists, myself included, are especially doing this during Covid-19. However, I provide this on a continuous basis. Online sessions can be done by phone or a secure video conferencing program such as Zoom, VSee, or Doxy.me.

I hope this helps you find an online or in person therapist that is a good fit for you in Eureka. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (707) 954- 7060 for a free 15 minute consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person that is best able to help you with what you need.

If you are looking for help with anxiety, depression, or trauma, you can read more about how I can help here.