The phone consultation is an introduction - - what has you looking for support and how might I be able to help? Research shows that connection and rapport between client and therapist is the most important factor for success in therapy. The phone consultation is a way to check for “fit” as well as professional background to get a sense for what to expect should you work together. Things to ask on a consultation call with a therapist:

• Therapist’s credentials

• Therapist’s experience working with other clients with similar concerns, circumstances, culture, background, identity

• Therapist’s role in therapy (directive, collaborative) and their approach/philosophy

• Fee or insurance information

• Logistics, such as in-person vs. online sessions, frequency and duration of sessions, availability

• What does the therapist see as their strength? Do they specialize in your concern or demographic?

Things to ask yourself after the call:

• How did they receive my questions? Did they answer them willingly and to my satisfaction?

• Can I see myself sharing sensitive information or vulnerable emotions with them?

• Was I comfortable in the conversation? Did they put me at ease? Did I feel respected?

The best way to prepare for our first session is to know where we are meeting. Look up the address if we are meeting in person or plan for a private location from which to log in for our first virtual session.

I always begin our first few sessions by getting us comfortable in the room, be it the physical office or a virtual shared space. The first session can be nerve-wracking and we don’t know one another yet. It is deserving of a few minutes to acknowledge nerves and settle in together - - pick a spot to sit, adjust the room temperature, find a fidget toy or pillow, take a breath and a sip of your drink (not at the same time please), and lean back into your chair.

From there, we do what I call “housekeeping” when we review any necessary forms, check in on logistics, and answer any questions about the therapeutic process.

Then we talk. We may pick up where we left off on the phone consult. I may invite you to tell me about yourself or your week or simply ask “How can I help?”

This is a truly just a conversation; we are getting to know each other. There are no high expectations or wrong answers. The most important thing to know is that you are welcome here.

Scheduling appointments: As long as we meet each week on a consistent basis, I protect your appointment time ongoing. If we meet every two weeks, I may ask you to schedule your next appointment at the end of each session. Occasionally, one of us may not be available for our usual appointment, and we will ask the other for some flexibility to meet on a different day or time.

Cancellations: I require 24 hours’ notice to cancel a session with no fee. If you cancel less than 24 hours before your session or you do not arrive to a scheduled appointment, you will be charged for the session. Of course there are exceptions to this policy such as emergencies; I will discuss these with you during intake.

Attending sessions online: If attending sessions remotely, you will receive a telehealth link by email or text in advance of your scheduled appointment. The session is conducted through a HIPAA-compliant platform to protect the security of your information.

Paying for sessions: As part of the intake process, you provide a debit or credit card to keep on file. You will automatically be charged after each session. That said, if you need a different payment arrangement we can discuss options during phone consultation or at the beginning of your first session.