Goodness of Fit and the “Meet the Therapist” Call
Finding the right therapist is both practical and personal. Goodness of fit can matter more than credentials alone. Basically, it’s about finding a good match; A therapist who aligns with your needs, values, communication style and goals will usually produce better outcomes.
Some therapist offer a free consultation, but that requires a lot of paperwork and opening up to a new person. In order to assess goodness of fit, I offer a free 20 to 30-minute “Meet the Therapist” call. We can talk by phone or by video-chat, during which we can get to know one another, decide if the feel is right and begin taking care of logistics for your first appointment. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Be Yourself and Ask Questions
There is no reason to be anything but yourself during the call. I will. Be prepared to discuss your problem. We won’t go too deep. That’s for later, after we have decided to work together. But you can, and SHOULD, ask me questions about me, my experience and my approach. This will give us a chance to get to know one another and build trust. Here are some ideas about questions you can ask.
Know Yourself! -As Best as You Can
This is the time for you to let me know about you, the unique circumstances of your life and the change you want. It’s ok if your goals are fuzzy at first. It could be symptom relief, skill-building, long-term growth or crisis support. We can work on it together. Also, it will likely evolve as we progress in treatment.
Practical matters matter
I am licensed in Illinois, Colorado and I am Psypact Certified, which means I can work with you if you are out of state (see map). During the call, we’ll check to see if our schedules align and whether you want to meet in-person, virtually or a hybrid of both. We’ll also discuss insurance, fees, policy and expectations.
Trust Your Gut
A call is the time to assess whether we can work together well. Use this conversation to decide whether you feel comfortable, heard and understood. The call should give you a sense of whether we are a good match.