“Get to Know You” Appointment

 

It’s normal to feel nervous about making an appointment for therapy.  To help you decide if you’d like to make an initial appointment, I offer a free “Get to Know You” appointment.  This lasts 10 to 20 minutes and is an opportunity for us to briefly discuss your needs and concerns and my ability in helping you address them. While one phone call (or office appointment) doesn’t guarantee 100 % that we’re a good fit, feeling comfortable and heard is a good start.

 

Here are some questions to keep in mind as you evaluate our conversation:

 

1. Do you feel comfortable sharing your concerns with me?

2. Do you feel respected and heard? 

3. Do you think I have the knowledge and skill to help you?

4. Does it feel like I have an understanding of your unique circumstances?

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Our get to know you conversation will start off with a few questions to get to know you better and make sure my practice is a good fit for your needs.  Things I’d like to know include:

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1. What’s the reason you’re looking for therapy?

2. Have you been in therapy before?

3. Is there a particular kind of therapy that you’re interested in experiencing?

4. What are you looking for in a therapist? 

5. What would you like to change as a result of coming to therapy?

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I’ll provide you with information about myself and my practice that you may find helpful such as:

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1. My practice philosophy so you get a better sense of what I use to guide my work with clients.

2. My experience working with clients with similar concerns.  This allows you to assess whether or not my specific expertise and training are a good fit for you. 

3. Information about Internal Family Systems, mindfulness and compassion based practices I use.

4. The frequency and length of time I typically see clients. 

5. My payment and insurance-related policies including sliding scale options if needed.

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At the end of our appointment you’ll be given options for moving forward:

 

1. If it feels like a good fit, we can schedule an in-person appointment to start therapy.

2. If you’re not sure or have other therapists you’re considering, we can make a plan to touch base by phone or email after you’ve had time to consider our call. Once you let me know your decision we can proceed to either option 1 or option 3 in this list.

3. If you don’t feel we’re a good fit, let me know.  I can then provide you with the names of other therapists who may be a better match.  

 

Research has shown that the relationship between client and therapist, also known as the therapeutic alliance, is the single best predictor of successful therapy experience.  Whatever your decision at the end of our appointment, my first goal is always to help clients find the therapist that best fits their needs.