I believe that it’s important from the start of therapy that you and I develop a strong relationship and you feel that I genuinely care about your success!

Therefore, from the moment you make that first call, rest assured that I’ll take out the time to talk to you directly.

You won’t need to go through an office assistant and explain your situation once to them, and then again to me, to get started.

Curious about what we’ll discuss? Keep reading!

-Dr. April

Basic Details

During your phone consultation, I’ll ask you for basic details about you (name, contact information, how long you’ve been partnered or married, and if you have any children).

I’ll also want to know if you’ve had therapy in the past.

If you’re seeking couples therapy, it’s generally OK to do the phone consultation alone but if you prefer to have your partner present please let me know this upfront and I’ll do my best to accommodate a time that works for you both!

Your Main Issues

The most important part of a phone consultation with me will be discussing the main issues that caused you to seek therapy. I’ll ask about these problems and give you a chance to discuss your situation in detail.

I want to be sure that I can be helpful should you decide to choose me as your therapist, and that your issues are within my scope of practice.

If you have issues that fall outside of my clinical expertise and experience, we will discuss finding a more appropriate referral for you.

Triggering Event

I may ask you what happened recently that prompted you to call in for therapy.

For example, many people call me for couples therapy after a big breakdown with their partner which highlights the communication problems in the relationship.

Many people also call me after the discovery of an affair, as they’re trying to figure out how to move forward and if the relationship can be repaired.

Making the call for counseling can be a tough one to make and it takes a lot of courage! Knowing the catalyst of your decision to finally make that call will help me get a clearer picture of your situation.

Your Questions

During your free phone consultation, I’ll give you the chance to ask any questions you have about therapy and my services.

Most questions can be answered here on my website, but I’ll give you the chance to ask anything that still remains unclear. I want to make sure you feel informed before scheduling that first appointment.

Scheduling Your First Appointment

After we’ve talked about all of the above, I’ll ask if you’re ready to schedule a first appointment. For couples therapy in particular, I’ll ask if you’ve already discussed coming in for therapy with your partner, or if you need more time to talk it over with him or her.

If you’re ready to schedule, I’ll check my calendar and offer you what is available.

Most of my clients are busy professionals with families, so I understand the difficulty with making the time for appointments. I always strive to find times that are most convenient for you!