Why Offering a Free Consultation is Important
I know that starting therapy can feel daunting, like standing at the edge of a diving board. You know the water might be refreshing, but taking the leap is intimidating.
There can be so many reasons why putting off therapy makes sense:
"What if therapy is too expensive?" Can I really afford another monthly expense? The thought of investing in something that might not work feels risky.
"I'm not ready to be that vulnerable yet." The idea of sitting across from a stranger and sharing your deepest struggles, fears, and pain? That's asking a lot.
"I barely have time to breathe as it is." Between work, family, responsibilities, and everything else, adding therapy appointments feels like one more thing there just isn’t capacity for.
If any of these resonate with you, you're not alone.
Over the years, I have had countless consultation calls, and I've learned something important: reaching out to a potential new therapist can answer a lot of questions that may be running through your head.
It will also go some way to answering, "How do I know if you're the right therapist for me?" There are hundreds of therapists out there. Different approaches, different specialties, different personalities. Choosing feels overwhelming. Answering this question is vital because research clearly shows that the connection the client and therapist form is the single biggest determinant of therapeutic goals being met or not.
With that in mind, an important question to ask yourself after the consultation call is: Do I get the sense this therapist is understanding me? If you do that is a very good sign because research clearly shows the connection you feel with your therapist is the single biggest contributor to reaching your therapeutic goals.
So What Actually Happens in a Free Consultation
Let's demystify this. A free consultation is a 15 to 20-minute phone call in which you share what's going on. Not your whole life story—just what's bringing you to therapy right now. What's been weighing on you? What do you hope might change?
The therapist will share with you who they are and how they work. They will explain their therapeutic approach and help you understand what working together might look like. You'll get a feel for their style. This is just as much about whether you feel comfortable with the therapist as it is about anything else. Lastly, and only if you feel like it, logistics will be discussed. Session frequency, scheduling, fees—all the practical stuff you need to know before making any decisions.
The consultation is conversational, not clinical. There's no clipboard or meeting notes. Just a chance to talk, share and think about whether therapy together makes sense.
What Happens After Our Consultation
If working together feels like a good fit, an intial full length session can be booked. Usually, a brief intake form will be issued. In the first session, issues important to you will be discussed, and then a working approach will be discussed.
If you do not feel the right match, say so, as the therapist is usually in a good position to recommend a colleague who might be a better fit. Sometimes the best thing a therapist can do t is help you find a different therapist.
You Don't Have to Decide Alone
The hardest part of therapy is often just reaching out. If you're reading this and something is resonating, you can always learn more about me here or simply reach out and book a time to connect.
The consultation exists to make this easier for you—to give you information, clarity, and a sense of whether this feels right, all without any commitment or cost. I offer both individual and couples therapy, but the starting point is the same: a free chance to chat, ask me questions and hear more of how I work.
Knowing we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people. Mr. Rogers
