What to Ask Before Starting Therapy

A Conversation Before a Commitment

You may have read several therapist websites and still be unsure what to ask when someone answers the phone. The words that felt clear on the page can be harder to find when the conversation is about you.

A consultation gives us a chance to discuss what you need and how I work before scheduling therapy. You can use it to ask practical questions, describe the concern in broad terms, and notice how the conversation feels. You do not have to convince me that your experience is serious enough to discuss.

Start with What You Want Help With

A few specific sentences can give us a useful starting point: the birth keeps returning at work; medical appointments have become difficult; you are holding everything together and feeling worn down by it. You can also say that you are not sure how to explain the problem yet.

You do not need to reconstruct the birth or summarize your childhood in a consultation. If there is something you would rather discuss after beginning care, say that. We can clarify what information is needed to decide whether this practice fits.

Ask About the Work, Not Only the Technique

• 01

  How do you approach the concern I am describing?

• 02

  What would the first few appointments involve?

• 03

  How do you decide which approaches to use?

• 04

  How can I tell you if the pace or approach does not feel right?

I draw from Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems, and somatic approaches. You do not have to choose among them from a website. It is reasonable to ask what an approach would look like in an appointment and why we might consider it.

Discuss the Commitment Plainly

In my practice, individual therapy means weekly 50-minute sessions. Many patients choose to work with me for one to two years initially. We discuss your needs and the length of care as the work develops. Ask what that commitment means for your calendar before deciding to begin.

An intensive is a separate format with an intake, a four-hour appointment, a workbook, and follow-up. If you are considering it, ask how we would assess the fit and what further support might be needed. The format comparison can help you prepare those questions.

Know the Fees Before You Decide

The initial evaluation for ongoing therapy is $450. Weekly 50-minute sessions are $300. An intensive package is $2,500. The consultation is free. My practice is self-pay and out of network; a superbill is available on request.

If you plan to seek reimbursement, check the specific benefits and services with your insurer. You can ask me about the services and receipts I provide, while your insurer answers questions about your coverage. Full rates are available before the call.

Bring the Practical Constraints

Tell me if you need to consider shift work, childcare, a shared home, or a commute. We can discuss what is workable without treating those details as an afterthought. Telehealth requires you to be physically in Virginia; in-person appointments are in Prince George.

If you already receive therapy or other care, mention that too. A new consultation is a chance to understand how this work might fit, not an instruction to change your current care.

After the Conversation

Before the call ends, ask what the next step would be if we decide to work together. You can also ask what would happen if this practice is not the right fit for the support you need.

You are allowed to take time to think. Notice whether your questions were answered clearly and whether you understand the proposed commitment. The goal is an informed decision, not a perfect performance in a first conversation.