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What Happens During a First Therapy Consultation?
A first therapy consultation is a conversation, not a therapy session. It is a chance for you to ask questions, learn how the therapist works, and decide whether the practice feels like the right fit, and for the therapist to understand what brings you in and whether they can help. There is no expectation to share a detailed history, and you are never pressured to continue.
What is a consultation for?
A consultation answers practical questions: how the therapist works, what the approach involves, what sessions cost, and whether there is availability. It also gives both of you a sense of fit, which research and clinical experience consistently show matters more than almost anything else in whether therapy helps. For that reason, the consultation is a two-way conversation, not an assessment you have to pass.
What happens before the consultation?
Depending on the practice, you may be asked to confirm some basic information and practical details in advance. At this practice, the first step is simply to request a consultation or call (818) 516-3013. You do not need to prepare anything, and you never need to disclose details of your history just to ask a question.
What happens during it?
At the start, the therapist explains how the consultation will go and how confidentiality works, including the limits that apply by law or where there is a risk of serious harm. Then the conversation focuses on what brings you in, what you hope for, and what questions you have. It is a chance to hear about the approach, including how sessions are structured, how progress is reviewed, and what the practice does and does not offer.
You set the level of detail. It is completely acceptable to speak generally about your situation, to ask questions before sharing anything personal, or to say that you are not ready to discuss certain things yet. There is no wrong way to do a consultation.
Questions you can ask
- What is your approach, and how does it work session to session?
- How long do sessions last, and what are the fees?
- What is the availability, and how often would we meet?
- Is virtual therapy an option, and how does it work?
- How is progress reviewed, and what happens if something is not working?
- What happens after this conversation if I decide to continue?
How do you know if it is the right fit?
A good fit often feels like this: you feel listened to and respected, you do not feel rushed, you feel safe being honest, and you sense that the therapist could help. Fit is not only about credentials; it is about whether you can build trust over time. If you are unsure after one conversation, that is normal, and it is reasonable to take time to decide. A consultation is not a commitment, and requesting one does not guarantee acceptance into treatment.
About this practice
Dr. Arlene Drake offers a consultation as the first step for individual, group, and couples therapy, virtually to California residents. The consultation is a comfortable place to ask about the approach, fees, and availability and to decide without pressure whether this practice fits you.
Where to go from here
You can request a consultation through the contact page or call (818) 516-3013. For more answers in the meantime, the frequently asked questions page covers fees, virtual therapy, and common questions about beginning.
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The first step can be simply asking a question
A consultation is a conversation: ask about the approach, fees, and availability, and decide without pressure. Virtual therapy is available to California residents.