There are many reasons as to why you would want to visit a psychologist, who is essentially a therapist who will help you cope with a number of problems you may have. Not many people opt to visit a therapist because they don't believe anything will come from it. However, this isn't the case. If you are willing to put in the effort, the treatment you receive truly can help you in everyday life. Here are four questions you should ask the first time you sit down with a psychologist:

1. How Will You Treat This Problem?  First off, you should describe the reasons you have decided to visit this therapist. Once they know the problem, you will want to know how they will go about treating the issue. This is your first step to understanding just how well visiting him or her is going to help you. Once you understand the treatment, it should make sense to you and you should be willing to go through with the program.
2. What are Your Strengths as a Therapist? When you have an idea of how your therapist is going to approach treating your problem, you should ask what their strengths are. Examples from previous clients they have treated are always helpful. Don't expect full details though since patient confidentiality is extremely important. Your therapist should also describe some strengths that you feel are appropriate for treating your specific issue.
3. Do You Address the Immediate Issue or Deeper Issue?  This may have already been discussed in your treatment plan. If not, though, it's helpful to know. If you are someone who just wants to fix the immediate issue quickly, then you will want someone who immediately addresses the main issue instead of looking for deeper problems that may have caused it in the first place. However, deeper issues may be too involved in your problem that you will want a therapist who can also address and resolve these, as well. 
4. Will This Be Like a Lecture or a Lab? Again, this may have already been discussed, but if not, you will still want to know. If you are someone who prefers to take notes and then apply them to the real world, then a lecture type treatment is definitely one that will work better for you. However, if you would prefer practicing problems that you run into in your daily life, then a lab environment is better. This will probably involve role playing and physically addressing certain fears you may have, as well.

When you ask these four questions, you can be sure that you actually find a therapist who is going to make you feel comfortable, as well as treat your problems the way that you were prefer for them to.