Your Free 15-Minute Therapy Consultation: How to Use It Well

In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 now (in Colorado it reaches the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line). If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Why a short call comes first

You have found a therapist who might be a good match, and now there is a free call to book. It is normal to feel unsure about what to say or what the call is for. Think of it as a short, two-way check: you learn how the therapist works, and the therapist learns whether their services fit what you need.

The American Psychological Association suggests interviewing a possible therapist by phone, in a short consultation, or at a first session, and looking for someone who makes you feel comfortable and inspires confidence. A consultation lets you do that before you commit time or money. Mountainside offers a free 15-minute consultation, which its pages describe as a phone call.

It also helps to know what the call is not. It is not a diagnosis, a full assessment or a treatment session, and a therapist is unlikely to give detailed advice in 15 minutes. It is also not a commitment. You can listen, take notes, think it over and decide later, and a careful therapist will not pressure you to book on the spot.

What therapists usually ask you

Most of the call is the therapist listening. You do not need a polished story. Therapists usually ask a handful of simple questions so they can tell whether they are the right fit or should point you elsewhere.

• What is going on, and why now. A few sentences is enough. You do not need to share anything painful on this call.
• Who the therapy is for. You, your teen, you and a partner, or the whole family.
• Past therapy. Whether you have tried therapy before and what helped or did not.
• Safety. Many therapists ask briefly about thoughts of self-harm or suicide. This is routine, and it helps them suggest the right level of care.
• Format and location. Whether you want office visits or video sessions, and where you will be during sessions.
• Schedule and payment. What times work and how you plan to pay.

What to have ready

A little preparation helps you use 15 minutes well. The APA notes that even a vague idea of what you want to accomplish can help you and a therapist proceed efficiently.

Before the call, jot down two or three sentences about what is hard right now and one or two things you would like to be different. Have your calendar open so you can name days and times that truly work. Decide whether you plan to use insurance, out-of-network benefits or self-pay, and keep your insurance card nearby. If the call is about your teen, think about whether your teen knows you are calling and how they feel about it. Find a private spot where you can talk freely.

Questions that fit in 15 minutes

You cannot cover everything in one short call, so choose a few questions that matter most to you. These five usually fit:

• Have you worked with concerns like mine, and with people my age or my teen's age?
• What approach would you likely use, and what might the first few weeks look like?
• Would this be individual sessions, a group, family sessions, or a mix?
• How do fees and payment work, and can I get a Good Faith Estimate if I pay myself?
• If we decide to go ahead, what happens next?

How to judge fit after the call

Give yourself a few minutes after you hang up. The APA reports that hundreds of studies point to the working relationship between client and therapist as a very important part of what makes therapy work, so your sense of the conversation counts.

Notice whether you felt heard, whether answers were clear, and whether the therapist was honest about limits. A careful therapist does not promise results. It is fine to talk with more than one therapist before you choose. For longer question lists, see how to find the right therapist in Denver, how to choose a CBT or DBT therapist and questions to ask a DBT therapist. You can also check a Colorado therapist's license.

If you are torn, it can help to picture yourself in a hard session with this person. Would you feel able to say that something is not working? If the honest answer is yes, that is a good start. If you are unsure, a second consultation with someone else can make the difference clearer.

What happens after you say yes

Most practices send intake forms before the first session. In Colorado, licensed, registered and certified mental health professionals must give you certain information in writing at the first client contact, with a few exceptions such as emergencies. Under C.R.S. 12-245-216, this includes their credentials, how to reach the board that regulates them, and statements that you can get information about the methods, likely length and fees of therapy, and that you may seek a second opinion or end therapy at any time. Our guide to the Colorado therapy disclosure statement walks through the form.

If you are not using insurance, federal rules say a provider generally must give you a written Good Faith Estimate when you schedule at least 3 business days ahead or when you ask. See Good Faith Estimates for therapy and paying for therapy: insurance vs self-pay. For the first appointment itself, read your first DBT session or preparing for your first CBT session.

When a consultation is not the right next step

A consultation call is for planning, not for emergencies. If you are thinking about suicide or are in crisis, do not wait for a call back: call or text 988, or call 911 if anyone is in immediate danger. Our Denver mental health resources page lists more options.

A consultation is also not the place to sort out medication. If you think you may need a medication review, a primary care doctor or psychiatric prescriber is the right first call, and therapy can run alongside that care.

If a therapist tells you their services are not a fit, that is useful information, and you can ask who they would suggest instead. When you are ready, you can request a free consultation or meet the therapists first to see who works with teens and adults.

Frequently asked questions