Overview
Scheduling a consultation is an amazing first step in taking care of your mental health. Whether you are new to therapy or looking to connect with a new provider, these tips can help you get the most out of your consultation call so you can find a provider that is the right fit for you.
Scheduling Multiple Consultations
When you browse our directory for a provider, you can filter by the qualities that are important to you — including areas of concern like anxiety, relationships, or big life transitions. You can also specify preferences for gender, age, race, and more.
We encourage you to schedule free consultations with a few therapists you’re interested in. You may not click with the first person you meet, and that’s okay! Scheduling multiple consultations with different providers allows you to weigh your options and help you make a decision you feel good about.
During Your Consultation(s)
A consultation is not a first appointment — it’s a short conversation to help you determine if a therapist is a good fit for ongoing care.
No two therapists approach consultations exactly the same way, but you can expect it to feel like a brief, two-sided interview. They will want to learn a bit more about your concerns and background, and you’ll get the chance to ask questions about their experiences and approach to care.
Some therapists take an unstructured approach, allowing you to explore whatever is on your mind and gain insights over time (i.e., psychodynamic therapy). Other therapists use a goal-oriented method (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy), which may include homework between sessions. And some use a combination of both!
Based on how you’re most comfortable learning and communicating, one approach may be better suited to your needs than another. Consultations will help you determine what’s best.
Below are some questions to consider to get a sense of whether the provider is right for you:
What brings you to therapy? Give the provider as much detail as you can about what you want to accomplish through therapy.
- Once you’ve discussed what brings you to therapy, ask your therapist if they have experience supporting people in similar situations. If so, how did they do that? Does their answer give you confidence in their ability to help you?
What will our sessions typically look like? The answer will give you a sense of the therapist’s style and how they’re thinking about the issue you’d like to work on.
- It’s a good sign if the therapist can speak directly to the goals you’ve mentioned so far and demonstrates that they’re actively thinking about the next steps.
What’s next? If the conversation goes well and you’d like to schedule your first session, ask these questions before ending the call:
- Do I need to fill out any forms before our first session?
- If paying out of pocket, will I need to pay after the end of each session?
- If using insurance, how will I submit my insurance information and claims?
- What is the cancellation policy? What if I need to reschedule our session?
- How should I get in touch with you moving forward? Do you prefer phone or email?
After Your Call
Think about how you felt during your consultation. Therapy is about exploring behaviors, emotions, and thought patterns to help you better understand yourself and make changes that will serve your life and goals. A bit of discomfort during the first call doesn’t mean your therapist is a bad fit, but take note of whether or not you feel comfortable with the therapist’s communication style, overall.
It's important to note that a lack of ‘fit’ or compatibility has nothing to do with you as a client. Successful therapy stems from a strong relationship between you and your therapist - if they aren’t confident in their ability to help you, that relationship can’t strengthen.
If a provider doesn’t feel like the right fit after your consultation, we encourage you to return to our online directory to look for additional providers. There, you can narrow down your search by consultation availability, service type, location, preferred insurance, and other preferences you would like to prioritize in order to find the right provider for you.