So what is it?

Many therapists offer a free consultation (or meet-and-greet session) through a phone or video platform. These initial meet-and-greet sessions differ from standard therapy appointments. It may be difficult to know what this conversation might be like or how to prepare for it.

Here are some things that should help you get the most out of this consultation. 

1) Prepare to ask some questions

A therapy consultation is an excellent time to assess whether you and your therapist may be a good “fit.” Therapists who encourage a phone or video consultation want you to find what you’re looking for out of therapy. Asking your therapist questions will help you understand them, their approach, and get an idea of what your sessions together might be like. Here are some things you may want ask them about: 

• Their experience and training working with certain conditions or issues

• Their beliefs about therapy and why they entered the field

• The types of therapy they provide

• Their specializations or focus-areas. What areas are they most skilled in?

• Their understanding and support for important parts of who you are. This may include gender identity, sexual preference, spiritual beliefs, or cultural background.

2) Be ready to answer some questions

Your therapist may have some questions for you as well. A good therapist will want you to be matched with someone who can meet your needs. These questions will help them get an idea of whether they have the right approach and expertise to meet your needs. You may be asked about the following:

• A summary of what brings you to therapy

• A brief history of your experiences in therapy (if you’ve been before).

• Your expectations for therapy and what your hopes are

• Any potential barriers for being able to engage in consistent therapy sessions. This may be some broader questions about finances, scheduling, and preferences for telehealth or in-person sessions

• Your comfort level in using certain technologies such as email or video conferencing software

• Preferred methods of contact

3) Know the differences between a consultation and a therapy intake

It’s important to remember that this consultation is not a full session. Both you and your therapist want to decide to move forward together before diving too deep. Here are some things to remember about the difference between a meet-and-greet consultation and full therapy session.

• It is usually free.

• The “flow” or “feel” of this conversation may be different from full sessions.

• It will be shorter than a full session—usually no longer than 30 minutes.

• It is a conversation with one primary goal, which is to decide whether you’d like to move forward and schedule an intake. Your therapist won’t assess, diagnose, or treat anything. If you are currently experiencing a psychiatric crisis, please seek immediate medical assistance or call 911.

4) Remember that this meet-and-greet session is only a starting point

The initial consultation is unlikely to help you predict the full course of therapy, but it should help you decide whether or not to meet with this therapist again. A meet-and-greet session should accomplish the following:

• Help you get over some initial nerves before the intake appointment

• Allow you to ask some important questions

• Help your therapist gather crucial information

• Ensure there are no immediate “red flags” about moving forward

• Set some basic expectations

Don’t be afraid to utilize these consultations to gather more information about possible therapists, practices, and styles of therapy. They are free and you should absolutely take advantage of that. It is essential for you to be informed, take control of your mental health, and explore the best options available to you. Good luck!