Searching for a therapist can feel like a full-time job. You’ve likely spent hours trawling through directory after directory, reading profile after profile, and comparing different approaches to therapy. Maybe you finally found someone whose face looked approachable, whose words spoke directly to what you're feeling, or who happens to be in your local area. You took a deep breath, hit send on that initial contact email, and… now what?
If you’re feeling a bit nervous or unsure about what happens next, please know that is completely normal. Reaching out for support takes courage, and stepping into the unknown can feel daunting.
To help ease your mind, I want to demystify the process and share exactly what to expect during an initial free therapy consultation with me at Deeper Than Blue Therapy.
Why I Offer a Free 20-Minute Therapy Consultation
Every therapist works slightly differently. Some offer initial paid assessment sessions, others don't offer consultations at all, and everyone has their own valid reasons for structuring their practice the way they do.
I choose to offer a free 20-minute consultation via Google Meet (or occasionally over the phone if preferred). Why? Because after spending time searching through dozens of options, you shouldn't have to pay just to figure out if a therapist is the right fit for you. Choosing a private therapist is a financial and emotional investment, and meeting a few different practitioners to see who you feel comfortable with can get expensive very quickly.
A free consultation gives us a chance to have some face-to-face time to chat, get a feel for each other, and essentially see if we "vibe." Therapy works best when there is a strong therapeutic relationship, and this short initial chat helps us both decide if we are a good match.
8 Questions I Ask During an Initial Consultation
During our 20 minutes together, I’ll ask a few key questions to help us explore what you're looking for. There are no right or wrong answers, and you only ever need to share what feels comfortable for you.
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What brings you to therapy?
Some people come with a very clear, detailed explanation of what’s going on, while others just have a general feeling that something isn't right and remain quite vague. Both are completely fine! This question helps me understand what you're bringing and allows me to assess early on whether your needs fall within my area of expertise.
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Do you have specific therapy goals, or are you looking for something more exploratory?
Everyone comes to counselling for different reasons. You might have a specific goal you want to work towards, or you might simply want a quiet, safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings as they come up. Knowing this helps us shape our potential work together.
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What experience have you had with therapy before?
Whether you’ve had wonderful experiences, negative ones, or have never been to therapy in your life, this gives me valuable insight. If you've tried counselling or psychotherapy before, we can talk about what worked and what didn't, including specific therapeutic modalities or whether you've done short-term versus long-term work.
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If we were to work together, what would you expect from me as your therapist?
Some people want a non-judgmental, calm space where they can simply feel heard. Others want a therapist who gently challenges them or offers more structure. Hearing what you want (and don't want) allows me to tailor my approach specifically to you.
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Are you looking for in-person or online therapy?
I offer both in-person therapy in Central London and online therapy across the UK. For in-person sessions, I work out of a quiet, welcoming practice room just a short walk from both Barbican and Old Street stations. However, there are some days where I work exclusively online, so it's helpful to know which mode of therapy suits you best.
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How often would you like to meet (weekly or fortnightly therapy)?
While many practitioners only offer weekly therapy, I also offer fortnightly therapy sessions because I recognise that weekly appointments don't suit everyone, whether due to busy schedules or financial constraints.
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What is your general availability?
I like to discuss day and time preferences during our call so we both know straight away if our schedules align. I’d hate for us to have a great consultation, only for me to follow up later offering an appointment slot that I already know won't work for you.
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Where did you find me?
A quick administrative question for my metrics, whether you found me on a therapy directory or came directly through my website!
What Happens After the Consultation Call?
Once we’ve covered your questions, I’ll take a few minutes to explain a little more about how I work. I’ll share details about my therapeutic approach (I’m not overly structured, as I prefer to tailor our sessions to your unique needs), as well as practical details like cost, location, session frequency, and payment methods.
Then, I’ll open up the floor to you. You can ask me anything you like about my background, how therapy works, or any lingering worries you might have.
There is zero pressure to commit at the end of the video or phone call.
After our consultation, I will email you a copy of my client contract (which outlines important details like confidentiality and GDPR) along with a client intake form. This gives you time to digest everything, reflect on how the call felt, and ask any follow-up questions that pop up afterwards.
If you decide you’d like to move forward, simply fill out the intake form, sign the contract, and return them to me. From there, we will confirm your start date, time, and session frequency, and get ready for your first session.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Taking the first step towards starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate it alone. If you're looking for a supportive, tailored space to explore what’s on your mind, I’d love to connect.
[Click here to book your free 20-minute consultation] or feel free to reach out directly via my contact page. Let’s have a chat and see how we can work together.