8. What is a 15-Minute Consultation?
What is a 15-Minute Consultation?
This is a question that actually gets asked more than you think. Even though it’s completely free, most people still feel somewhat skeptical about the 15-minute consultation. In this article, Eddie Shin, a licensed marriage and family therapist who is the founder and owner of Healing Ground Counseling will share some thoughts on what a 15-minute consultation is.
What is a 15-Minute Consultation?
The 15-minute consultation is a completely free meeting where you and the therapist can meet. The purpose of this meeting is to help you see if the therapist is a right fit for you, as well as for the therapist to see if they’re a right fit for what you stand in need of. It’s a completely no-strings-attached type of meeting where no credit card information or intake paperwork is needed. You will typically have the option of meeting by phone, by video, or in office.
How do I prepare for a consultation?
When someone asks to set up a 15-minute consultation with me, I typically will encourage them to write down any questions they may have, whether it’s about me or the process of therapy.
What a consultation is:
A time to get a feel for each others personalities
A way for you to get a feel for the therapist’s personality and therapy style
Get a feel for the therapeutic space and environment
Ask questions about the therapist’s modalities and style
Discuss fees, insurance, and policies
Goal alignment to see if your goals align with the therapist’s style
What a consultation isn’t:
Free therapy/venting session
Free therapy advice
Crisis service
Diagnostic assessment
A legal relationship
I hope that this clears up for you what a 15-minute consultation is and what it isn’t! Typically, at the end of the consultation it is common for the therapist to schedule the first appointment as the consultation wraps up (just so that you’re not thrown off if the therapist asks to schedule at the end when you meet with them).
If you’re interested in scheduling a free 15-minute consultation with Eddie Shin, click here.
