Book Your Free Consultation

A tele-health consultations is a great first step in reaching out and connecting. This is a free 20 minute virtual meeting where we can discuss your goals and see if it is a good fit. 

20 mins |  Free

There are a limited number of sliding scale places for those who cannot afford full rate counselling fees.  Please feel free to connect to discuss the sliding scale options.
 

Services Offered By:

20 mins |  Free

20 mins |  Free

intake consultation

What can you ask yourself before an intake consultation?

  • What specific issues or concerns am I seeking therapy for?
  • Do I have preferences or requirements regarding the therapist's gender, age, cultural background, or other demographics?
  • Am I looking for a therapist who specializes in certain areas or populations?
  • What are my scheduling constraints, and how flexible do I need my therapist's availability to be?
  • Do I prefer therapy sessions to be in person, online, or via phone?
  • Am I willing to consider therapists who offer alternative or complementary approaches to traditional talk therapy, such as Walk & Talk therapy, EMDR therapy, etc.?
  • What past experiences, if any, have I had with therapy or therapists, and what did I like or dislike about those experiences?
  • Am I seeking short-term or long-term therapy, and does the therapist's approach align with my goals for the duration of therapy?

Resources you may find helpful:

Person with long curly hair, wearing glasses and a mustard sweater, sitting at a wooden table, using a laptop and drinking from a plastic cup, with a camera nearby, in a cafe with industrial decor.

What can you ask your therapist during an intake consultation?

  • Can you provide examples of successful outcomes you've had with clients facing similar issues to mine?
  • What is your experience working with [specific concern or population]?
  • How do you handle confidentiality and privacy?
  • What is your availability for appointments?
  • What is your policy on missed appointments or cancellations?
  • Can you explain your boundaries and limitations as a therapist?
  • Can you explain your stance on medication and its role in treatment, if applicable?
  • What is your perspective on the duration of therapy and the expected timeline for progress?

Read More: What do I Talk About in Therapy?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Counselling Consultations

What happens in a counselling consultation?

  • What happens in a counselling consultation is that you meet with a therapist to talk about what brings you in. You can share your goals, ask about how counselling works, and see if the therapist is the right fit. In the consultation you might wonder, “What does the first session look like?” or “How do I know if counselling is for me?”

How do I know if counselling is right for me?

  • How you know if counselling is right for you depends on what you are going through. Counselling can help if you feel stressed, overwhelmed, stuck in your thoughts, or if you want something deeper than talk therapy. If you are asking yourself, “Do I really need counselling?” a consultation is a safe way to explore that question.

Is everything I say in counselling private?

  • Yes, everything you say in counselling is private. Many people ask, “Is counselling confidential?” or “Can my family or workplace find out what I say?” Counselling is confidential except in rare cases where there is a safety concern.

How much does counselling cost and is it covered by insurance?

  • How much counselling costs depends on the therapist and type of session. People often ask, “Does my insurance cover counselling?” Some extended health plans cover part of the cost, but you will need to check with your insurance provider to know for sure.

What if I have tried therapy before and it did not work?

  • What if you have tried therapy before and it did not work? This is a common worry. A consultation is a good place to ask about different approaches such as EMDR or body-based therapy. Every therapist has their own style, so even if therapy did not help in the past, finding the right fit can make a big difference.

therapist during an intake consultation