You may have noticed that I encourage prospective clients to have a consultation before working together, I thought it might be useful to share what these talks look like. I’ll set the caveat that I can only speak for my way of doing things, my colleagues may differ in their process.

Consultations are a chance to assess fit on my end (does the work you would like to do fall within my scope of practice?) and to assess comfort on your end. The latter is pivotal to your experience.

When I ask about past experience in therapy, those with negative experiences almost always reference a lack of comfort with the therapist.This is not necessarily personal, it’s about relationship and alignment and it is one of the most transformational components of psychotherapy. If you’re not feeling it, I can tell you’re not feeling it and the work can be…clunky. I want to do good work and I want you to experience the therapeutic gains you are seeking.

When beginning a consultation, I set the expectation that clients do not make an appointment at the end of our call. Instead, I ask that we end our conversation and people sit with their intuition. If they feel that I am the right person to talk to, I invite them to reach out to make an appointment. No pressure.

While some people ask about therapeutic modality, what a typical session might look like, or clarify availability and cost; the overwhelming majority simply want to experience what it is like to speak with me. This is a fantastic goal and I’m happy to have these conversations. If, after speaking, I don't think I’m the right fit for you, I’ll offer a referral. If you don’t think I’m the right fit for you I encourage you to continue your search.

Therapy can be a transformative experience. Your comfort sharing your story is an integral, if not the most important, part of that experience. Ask for consultations, listen to your intuition, and keep talking until you find your fit.