An initial in-person consultation vs. the initial intake session — What are they and what’s the difference?
This question comes up every so often so I only feel like it would doing everyone a favor if I answered it here.
[This is the first part of a two-part series. If you would like to see what the initial intake session is, please find the other post HERE.]
If you are looking for couples therapy, this one usually follows the initial phone consultation. In fact, it follows the two initial phone consultations (because I have one of those with each one in the couple). If you have not done so already, please schedule one of those here so that each one of you and I can speak first.
Once you have established – for yourselves and together as a couple – that I’d be a good fit, the initial in-person session is the next step. The session is typically 90 minutes long, and allows:
In addition, here are four things I’d want you to know about the initial in-person consultation:
We will talk about what we might discuss in therapy, we will talk about where you want to be at the end of our time together.
We will touch on subjects that you two might want to cover and discuss together later, but we will not get to actually doing the work.
At the end of the initial in-person session, we will not have covered all your pain points and resolved them in 90 min.
So, as you walk out – you are not going to be able to say – “that was the best 90 minutes ever” and check off every single one of your items on your goals list.
I hope that you will still say “that was the best 90 minutes ever” but not for that reason.
I trust that makes sense.
I say at the start often – that I want for couples to think of the initial in-person session as a continuation of what we’ve done during the phone consultation – making sure that even in person, I am still a good fit for both of you.
Now, IF at the end of that session one of you says to the other person:
“RUN!”
That just means that I am not (a good fit, that is) and that’s just fine.
If I can be helpful in terms of providing a referral or two for you for another colleague who specializes in couples work just like I do, I’d be happy to do that.
And no, I don’t take that personally.
So absolutely no hard feelings.
I’d be happy to point you in the direction of someone else who also specializes in couples therapy, uses a similar approach as I do, is generally speaking in the same geographic area as I am (if that’s important) and based on what I know of your situation and your particular needs, might be a better fit for you.
During that meeting, if and when you decide that you’d like to hear what working with me would look like, then we’ll talk about that. We will have time for questions if any arise at that point as well.
We would talk about what this will look like.
I would share what I expect from you.
What you can expect from me.
We’d get clear on what the scheduling looks like.
What the program looks like and how long it is etc.
If all that goes well, we would then compare calendars and find a time on an ongoing basis to meet (your regular slot) and we will also schedule the initial intake session.
And – we’ll shake on it and I’ll welcome you and we’ll get to work. 🙂
NOW – IF what you’re coming to see me for and our next steps end up being – Discernment Counseling related, we will talk through the details of what that looks like instead.
And then from there schedule the first 2-hour discernment session.
When you come in for the Initial In-Person Consultation, you are not signing up for anything other than this one session. You are not signing on for continued services or for my program.
After you both connect and agree that you’d like to do the next thing, you will receive a link with options for a date/time for the initial in-person consultation along with a link to make payment. In order to reserve that slot, I ask that you make your payment – you will receive a link and will be able to follow the steps to an easy, simple and safe payment site, using your credit or your debit card.
The investment is as follows:Â $369 (both people present, the session is 90 min in length)
If none of the times available online at the time of your looking work for your schedule, please reach out and we’ll find a time that does work.
As always, if you are reading this and have any questions whatsoever, please don’t hesitate to reach out. And – if we haven’t spoken yet at all, please schedule an initial phone consultation HERE. That’s where we would need to start.
Now, if in fact you’d like to know what the Initial Intake Session is once we’ve decided to work together on your marriage/relationship – Clicking THIS LINK will take you right to the answer.
