Fear of the unknown is a major driver for a lot of us. In fact, if you’ve thought about starting therapy, not knowing what to expect — or where to begin — might be enough to keep you from trying it out. 

We want to help clear up some of that uncertainty. Here’s a step-by-step look at what to expect if you contact us for therapy. 

Step 1: You reach out

You do need to take the first step, but we try to make it as easy as possible from there. 

Plus, you can choose how you first contact us based on what’s right for you. You can call in, but if a phone call makes you a little nervous (you’re definitely not alone!), you can send us a message virtually  instead. If you visit our web pages, you will see an option to “Request a Callback.”

If you want to see a therapist at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center, you can reach us at (805) 620-8046 or info@venturacwc.org. 

If you want to visit us at West Valley Counseling Center in Tarzana, call us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org. 

Step 2: You talk to one of our team therapists 

Once you take that first step of getting in touch, we have a dedicated team member who’s ready to help you from there. 

Whether you call or send in a virtual request, one of our team therapists will get in touch. They start by having a quick chat with you. The goal is to learn a little bit about you and what you want to get out of therapy. This way, we can pair you with a provider who has expertise in the areas you care about, whether that’s personal therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, or something else. 

Our team member will also get a sense of your  availability. We work with you to find a time in your schedule that works for your first therapy appointment. Once this initial step in the process is complete and we find someone who fits your needs and your availability, we have your designated therapist contact you back within 24 hours to set up the first appointment. 

Step 3: You have your first therapy appointment

Show up to our Ventura or Tarzana office at the time you set with your therapist. You’ll sit in our waiting room until your therapist comes out to grab you. 

During your first appointment, your therapist talks with you about why you decided to start therapy. They might ask you questions about any mental health-related symptoms you’ve been experiencing or how your relationships affect you, for example.

This isn’t supposed to be a one-sided conversation. Your first appointment is also your opportunity to ask any questions you have about what to expect from therapy. By the time your appointment is over, you should have a much clearer idea of what therapy could look like for you.  

Step 4: You work with us to find what’s right for you

You might totally gel with the first therapist we pair you with. Or you might not click. That’s completely normal. 

Feel free to reach back out to us directly if you’re not feeling a connection with your therapist. Our calls and emails are monitored by our clinical director and are kept confidential. We generally recommend giving it a few sessions since trust takes time to build. But if you’re pretty certain this person isn’t the right fit for you, we can help you try working with someone else. 

Therapy is an extremely personal journey, and all of our therapists know that it can take some time to find the right person. 

This is a fairly broad overview of what to expect if you contact us for therapy. To get more information about the process, feel free to call or email us so Kara can talk you through the steps. Contact us at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center in Ventura or the West Valley Counseling Center in Tarzana and we can help you get started.