Getting Started: Orinda Therapist Consultation – Key Questions for Depression and Anxiety Therapy in the Bay Area.

Free Online Therapy Consultation – Orinda, CA Therapist

Starting therapy is a brave step—and even booking that first consultation call can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re feeling anxious, stuck, or unsure where to begin. You’ve browsed a few websites for Orinda therapy, and while some therapists seem warm and experienced—offering support for depression, anxiety, or trauma—you might still wonder: Will this person truly understand me?

That’s where a free consultation call can help. Most therapists in Orinda offer a 15–20-minute phone or video call before beginning therapy, giving you a chance to ask questions and get a feel for their style. But knowing what to ask—or how to tell if someone is genuinely the right fit—can still feel unclear.

This guide offers grounded, thoughtful questions to ask during a consultation call—so you can feel more empowered, more informed, and more connected as you take this important next step toward care.

Looking for a broader guide on how to begin your therapy search? Check out Orinda Therapist: Finding the Right Fit for You for practical tips on where to start, what to look for, and how to narrow down your options before booking a consultation.

Questions to Ask an East Bay Therapist During a Consultation Call.

You don’t have to go into a consultation knowing exactly what you need. But asking even a few of the questions below can help you get a clearer picture of the therapist’s style, experience, and whether they’re someone you feel comfortable opening up to.

1. What is your approach to therapy?

Every therapist brings a unique style to their work. Some focus on structured tools and techniques, while others offer a more open, exploratory space. If those qualities matter to you—like depth, emotional safety, and support that evolves with your needs—you might be drawn to a relational or integrative therapist.

2. What is a relational or integrative approach to therapy?

A relational therapist focuses on the connection between you and your therapist—not as an afterthought, but as the heart of the work. The relationship isn’t just part of the process—it is the process. In this kind of therapy, the relationship itself becomes a space for healing.

It’s not only about analyzing thoughts or solving problems; it’s about being seen, heard, and understood in a consistent, attuned way. Over time, the trust and safety built in the therapeutic relationship can help you gently explore the patterns that formed in earlier relationships—especially the ones that left you feeling unseen, not enough, or too much.

Through that steady connection, new experiences can unfold - ones where your needs are honored, your emotions are welcome, and you no longer have to carry everything alone. This is often where lasting insight and transformation begin.

An integrative therapist draws from a range of therapeutic approaches—like psychodynamic, attachment-based, cognitive behavioral, or mindfulness-based methods—and weaves them together in a way that fits you. This kind of therapy isn’t rigid or one-size-fits-all; it’s flexible, relational, and shaped by your unique needs, goals, and emotional rhythm.

Integrative therapy can be especially supportive if you're seeking therapy for depression, therapy for anxiety, therapy for trauma, or guidance through a major life transition. Some sessions may focus on understanding emotional patterns or relationship dynamics, while others offer practical tools to help you manage symptoms, set boundaries, or reconnect with yourself.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, integrative therapy creates space for both clarity and care—so you can feel more grounded, more understood, and more in tune with what matters most to you.

3. Do you have experience with what I’m going through?

This might sound like a simple question, but it’s one of the most important ones you can ask. Therapy is deeply personal, and when you’re reaching out—especially for something as vulnerable as depression, anxiety, or a major life transition—you want to feel confident that the therapist understands what you’re going through.

You might be wondering: Have they helped others through this before? Do they get what this actually feels like? It’s more than okay to ask. A skilled Orinda therapist will welcome the chance to talk about their experience with people facing similar challenges.

For example, if you're seeking depression therapy, ask how they work with feelings of hopelessness, low motivation, or self-criticism. If you're looking for anxiety therapy, find out how they help clients manage overthinking, panic, or emotional overwhelm. And if you’re navigating a life transition—like a breakup, move, identity shift, or career change—ask how they support people through uncertainty, grief, and growth.

You don’t need someone who has all the answers. You need someone who knows how to walk with you through the hard questions and help you feel less alone in them.

4. What can I expect in a typical session?

If you’re starting therapy in Orinda, it’s natural to feel uncertain about what sessions will be like. Asking this question can help you feel more grounded before you begin.

Some therapists are more structured, while others leave space for exploration and emotional processing. A compassionate Orinda therapist will tailor each session to your needs—whether that means talking through your week, identifying emotional patterns, or working with your inner critic and self-doubt.

In anxiety therapy, sessions might include calming techniques, grounding tools, or exploring the roots of constant worry. In depression therapy, you may focus on rebuilding motivation, increasing self-compassion, and making space for the parts of you that feel stuck or unseen. Many people also use therapy to improve self-esteem, challenge perfectionism, and explore long-held beliefs about not being “enough.”

Ultimately, therapy isn’t about fixing who you are—it’s about helping you better understand yourself, so you can move through life with more ease, clarity, and choice.

5. How do you support people healing from relational wounds, low self-worth, overwhelm, or emotional disconnection?

Many people come to therapy, not because of a crisis, but because something inside just doesn’t feel right. Maybe you’re constantly second-guessing yourself, repeating painful patterns in relationships, or feeling like you’re never quite “enough.” Often, these struggles trace back to early emotional disconnection—times when your needs weren’t met, or your feelings weren’t acknowledged.

A skilled relational therapist understands how these early patterns can carry into adulthood as anxiety, depression, or ongoing low self-worth. Therapy offers a space to gently untangle those patterns, not through quick fixes, but through a safe and supportive relationship where you can begin to feel truly seen and valued.

If you’ve been living with a harsh inner critic or feeling emotionally disconnected, therapy can help you build a more compassionate inner relationship—and if you're going through a life transition, this steady relational support can help you move forward with more trust in yourself.

6. How do you help clients move through life transitions like grief, career changes, or identity shifts?

Life transitions—whether welcomed or unexpected—can stir up a lot. A breakup, move, job loss, new role, or even personal growth can leave you feeling untethered, anxious, or unsure of who you are becoming.

If you're considering support for a life transition, it’s okay to ask how the therapist holds space during these shifts. Will they help you slow down and reflect? Can they support you through the messiness of change, where old roles no longer fit and new ones haven’t fully formed yet?

A compassionate therapist won’t rush you to figure it all out. They’ll walk with you, helping you stay connected to your values and yourself. Whether you’re facing grief, self-doubt, or emotional overwhelm, therapy can offer grounding and clarity as you navigate what’s next.

7. What’s your availability—and do you offer online sessions?

Therapy should feel like a support, not another source of stress. That’s why it’s totally okay to ask about scheduling and flexibility.

Many people looking for therapy in Orinda are balancing full plates—between work, caregiving, or the emotional weight of anxiety, depression, or ongoing life challenges. If in-person sessions aren’t realistic, ask if the therapist offers secure online therapy. Telehealth can be just as effective and helps you stay consistent, even when life gets busy.

A good Orinda therapist will also be clear about their scheduling practices—how they handle cancellations, whether they offer evening appointments, and how you’ll book sessions moving forward.

8. Do you accept insurance or offer superbills for reimbursement?

Therapy is an investment, both emotionally and financially. It’s more than okay to ask about the cost—and to understand what your options are.

While some Orinda therapists are in-network with insurance, many are out-of-network. If that’s the case, they may offer superbills—detailed invoices you can submit to your insurance provider if you have a PPO plan. Many clients are able to get 50–80% back, depending on their benefits and deductible.

A compassionate therapist will be upfront about fees, what’s included, and how they can support you in navigating reimbursement. Whether you’re seeking anxiety therapy, depression therapy, or long-term relational work, having clarity around cost helps you make a choice that feels sustainable.

9. How do we know if it’s a good fit?

This question might be the most important of all. Therapy is a relationship, and like any relationship, it only works if there’s a sense of comfort, trust, and connection.

A thoughtful Orinda therapist will be honest and open about fit. They’ll want you to feel safe and respected—and they’ll encourage you to listen to how it feels. Ask yourself: Do I feel comfortable? Do I feel seen and not judged? Does this feel like someone I could open up to?

Your intuition matters. Whether you're seeking anxiety therapy, depression therapy, support for a life transition, or support from a trauma-informed therapist, trust the internal sense of connection. That “click” often tells you more than any degree or technique ever could.

Finding the right therapist can take time—and that’s okay. You deserve support that feels attuned, compassionate, and genuinely helpful. Therapy isn’t just about talking through pain—it’s about healing, growing, and reconnecting with yourself more deeply.

At its best, therapy feels like being with someone you trust—someone who listens without judgment, helps you feel understood and supports you in moving forward. That sense of connection matters.

Therapy in East Bay, Orinda, and across California – Let’s Talk and See if It’s a Good Fit

If you’re looking for therapy in Orinda that’s relational, integrative, and trauma-informed, we’d be honored to support you and help you move through what’s weighing on you—with more clarity, connection, and care.

Reach out for a free consultation—no pressure, just a chance to see if we connect.

Looking for more information before reaching out? 
Learn more about our approach or visit our homepage to explore additional resources.

About the Author
Anita Bardsley, LMFT, is the founder of Bountiful Health and a relational, trauma-informed therapist offering therapy in Orinda, CA, and online throughout California. She works with adults and teens navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-worth, and life transitions, providing care that is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in real connection. Anita’s integrative approach weaves together evidence-based methods with relational depth to help clients feel safe, seen, and supported.