Actually taking the steps to starting therapy is hard, even for people who work in the field it can be a little scary. But it can easily be done in less than 15 minutes.
First you’ll need to get in contact with a therapist. Most therapists can be contacted by email, phone, or a form on their website. While some therapists are willing to schedule appointments via email, many therapists prefer talking on the phone so that they can get a better understanding of your needs and whether or not you’ll be a good fit (We’ll have another blog about what a good fit is later.).
There are certain things that you need to know before starting therapy. Some of these might be found on the therapist’s website, but you may also have to ask. These are: price, whether or not they take insurance, do they treat your concerns, are you in the demographics that they see, are they in-person or telehealth only, can they fit your schedule needs, where they are located, and anything else you may want to know. While that feels like a lot of information to remember, the therapist should be offering a lot of this information to you.
Next you’ll need to actually schedule the first appointment and the therapist will need some more of your information to get that set up. With that done, most therapists will send you intake paperwork. This is paperwork that needs to be completed before your first appointment. It is typically a few documents that talk about policies, the therapist’s obligations, and questionnaires for you. These will help the therapist know that you’re on the same page and give them some information about you to make the first session easier. While all of these need filled out, you can add as much or as little information as you feel comfortable with.
Our next blog will take you through what that first session actually looks like.
