How to prepare for an initial consultation call

Because finding a suitable therapist is such an important decision, many therapists offer a free 10-15 min consultation before moving forward with an initial appointment. This is an opportunity for both you and the therapist to determine if you are a good fit to working together. For folks who may not know what to share or what questions to ask, here’s a checklist to help you get started. 

Before the call- topics of reflection:

• What issue(s) are you seeking support for? It’s helpful to share information on how long you’ve experienced these issues for, and at what intensity and frequency.

• What working styles are most suitable for you? If you’ve never worked with a therapist before, feel free to take inspiration from your current and past relationships (ie. with partners, managers, colleagues, classmates, etc.). Think back to the last time you enjoyed working on a project or shared goal with someone: what about that working relationship or that other person that made it such a positive experience for you? If you haven’t had positive experiences, reflecting on negative experiences is helpful, too: if you aren’t sure what you want, the next best thing is to know what you don’t want. 

During the call- helpful questions to ask:

• “Do you have experience working with or are you comfortable working with people who have a history of ___ or who identify as ___?”

  • What are important details about you (ie. identity, history, culture, spiritual/religious beliefs, etc.) that you would like to make sure that the therapist respects, understands, and can work with? You don’t have to go into detail, but if you have a history of trauma or if there are crucial aspects of your cultural/gender/religious identity that are important for you to discuss in therapy, it can help to address this directly in this call by asking this question.

• “What can I expect from working with you?”

  • This question gives the therapist a chance to give you a rundown of how they tend to work, their style, and what makes them different from another therapist. It also gives you a chance to gauge whether their working style might be suitable for you.

• “What do you expect from your clients in therapy?”

  • Do they have any overt expectations, and does their answer suit you? Do they tend to give homework as a part of their working style and theoretical background? What’s their policy with clients receiving important phone calls or emails during sessions, if they have one?

• The admin details:

  • “What rate do you charge?”

  • “What are your availabilities like?”

  • “How far in advance do clients need to book sessions?”

  • “How frequently are you able to meet?”

  • “Do you do in-person or online sessions?”

  • “What’s your cancellation policy?”

  • “What’s your confidentiality policy?”

  • “Which insurance policies are you covered by and do you do direct billing?” Keep in mind that because there’s so much variability in insurance coverage, the therapist may not be able to answer this question (although they can let you know if they do direct billing)- in this case, they’ll likely refer you to your insurance provider. Remember that it’s important to ask your provider not only whether mental health care is covered in your plan, but also whether coverage extends to the regulation body that your therapist is certified with, and if there are any limitations with coverage based on session durations or types of issues that are explored in therapy.

After the call- topics of reflection

• Is this therapist, in general, an individual that you want to keep talking to and build a relationship with?

• Does the therapist have the right set of experience for your concerns?

• Do the details of the therapist’s practice (ie. their rate, availability, cancellation policy, confidentiality policy, etc.) work for your needs?

• Based on their overall vibe and answers, do you feel like there’s a good chance that you’ll work well with them?

I hope this was helpful for you as you prepare for your initial consultation(s).

If you’re looking for an East Asian or BIPOC, cis-gender female Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) who provides online psychotherapy and EMDR sessions to adults (specifically, professionals in Ontario) who experience general mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, stress and burnout), trauma, and difficulties related to acculturation, feel free to browse through my site and reach out for a free 15-minute consultation if what I write resonates with you.

Wherever you are on your search and in your personal journey, I wish you all the best.

Warmly,

Ting Ting

Photography credit: thumbnail photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash