Getting Started:
Your Free 50-Minute Consultation

No. You do not need to arrive with everything fully understood or neatly organized before we speak. The consultation can begin with whatever feels clearest, including uncertainty. You may find it helpful to have a general sense of what is bringing you to therapy, what you hope for, or any questions you would like to ask, but preparation is not required. The consultation is a starting point, not a full assessment.

During the consultation, I will review the completed Informed Consent and Electronic Practice Agreement, Privacy Policy and Intake Form, which outline the policies and procedures of my practice. You may ask questions at any time. I may ask what has led you to reach out, what kind of support you are looking for, and whether there are particular concerns you hope to work on. You are welcome to ask any questions about my practice, my approach to psychotherapy, or what working together may involve. The goal is to see whether it makes mutual sense to move forward with a first full therapy session.

You are welcome to share as much or as little as feels comfortable and relevant. A consultation is not meant to explore everything in depth. You can give a brief overview of what you are looking for without sharing painful experiences in detail. If we decide to continue, there will be more time in future sessions to move carefully and at a pace that feels safe.

The free consultation focuses on mutual fit, questions, and next steps. A first therapy session allows more space to begin understanding your concerns, history, goals, and emotional experience. The consultation helps us mutually decide whether it would be appropriate to begin ongoing sessions together.

No. A free 50-minute consultation does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. A therapeutic relationship begins only if we both decide to move forward, the appropriate consent and practice agreements are completed, and a first full therapy session is booked.

Yes. If an initial consultation takes place, I will create and retain a brief consultation record in accordance with the professional, legal, and privacy obligations that apply to my practice. Before the consultation, you will receive documentation explaining the applicable retention period. I can also answer questions about what is recorded, how it is protected, and how long it is retained before or during the consultation.

It is very common to feel nervous before a consultation. You do not have to know exactly what to say before we begin. We can begin with what feels most important and keep the conversation supportive and manageable.

After the consultation, you can take time to decide whether you would like to book a first full therapy session. If we both feel that working together may be supportive, we can talk through scheduling and what beginning therapy would look like. If another type of support seems more appropriate, I can let you know that as well. You may choose not to proceed with booking ongoing support.

If we both decide to move forward after the consultation, the first therapy session gives us more time to begin understanding what feels important to you. We can gently explore what brings you to therapy, what you feel ready to share, and what kind of support may feel helpful. You do not need to tell your whole story right away; we can move gradually, with care, and continue building a sense of safety together.