How To Reach Out to a Therapist<\/h2>\nSalutation<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis may seem simple, but figuring out how to address a therapist can be stressful! In general, \u201cHi, [First Name]\u201d or \u201cHi, Dr. [Last Name]\u201d if they\u2019re a doctor, will be perfectly acceptable, especially if you are unsure of the therapist\u2019s pronouns.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhere to start\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\nOK, you\u2019re past the greeting…now how do you begin? This one\u2019s easy–tell them why you\u2019re reaching out. Simply say, \u201cI am interested in starting therapy.\u201d Straightforward and to the point–the theme of this entire blog post!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nCheck availability<\/b><\/h3>\n
Many times therapists will note on their website if they are accepting new clients or not, but it\u2019s always a good idea to confirm. You will also want to ask what availability they have for sessions to make sure your schedules are compatible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nDescribe what you need help with, but keep it brief<\/b><\/h3>\n
There will be time later to go into specifics, but in your initial email to a therapist, a simple sentence or two about what you\u2019d like to address in therapy is sufficient. Some examples include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- I struggle with anxiety and it\u2019s affecting my daily life.\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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\n- I experienced a traumatic event and need help processing it.\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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\n- My partner and I are going through a divorce and would like for our child to talk to someone about it.\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Request a phone consultation<\/b><\/h3>\n
A therapist can go more in-depth in a live phone conversation than via email. A phone consultation is <\/span>not <\/span><\/i>a therapy session, but a 10-to-15-minute introductory conversation where, generally, the therapist will ask questions to gain a better understanding of the concerns you\u2019d like to address, give you an idea of their therapeutic approach, and discuss logistical details about cost and scheduling. This is also a chance to ask any questions you have for the therapist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nDetermining fit<\/b><\/h3>\n
While phone consultations are a great place to learn more about your therapist\u2019s philosophy and therapeutic approach, if the therapist doesn\u2019t provide consultations or if you get nervous when talking on the phone, ask in your initial outreach! Therapist questions could include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- What is a typical session with you like?<\/i><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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\n- How should I prepare for my initial session?<\/i><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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\n- What is my role as a parent during my child\u2019s therapy sessions?<\/i><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Asking about cost<\/b><\/h3>\n
You can ask about cost in your initial email or during the therapist consultation. Therapist questions could include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Do you take XYZ insurance?\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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\n- If I pay out-of-pocket, how much is a single session?<\/i><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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\n- Do you provide a sliding scale rate?\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Closing<\/b><\/h3>\n
Ask about next steps and indicate how they can reach you…and that\u2019s it! You\u2019re done!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nEmail vs. Phone Call<\/b><\/h3>\n
The above tips can be used whether you choose to call or email a therapist. If you call, it is most likely that you will have to leave a voicemail or speak to a receptionist. In both cases, the basic structure of the communication remains the same: say why you\u2019re calling, confirm availability, give a brief description of issues, ask for a phone consultation, then ask for follow up to discuss next steps (don\u2019t forget to leave a call back number!). You may hold off on asking questions about therapy style, etc., until you can communicate with the therapist directly.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"Reach](\"https:\/\/rightfitcounseling.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Match-with-a-Therapist-Today-copy.png\")
\n<\/a><\/p>\nTemplate<\/b>:\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\nHi <\/span>[Therapist]<\/span><\/i>,<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>I am interested in starting therapy. I was curious if you are taking on new clients and what your availability is. I am seeking therapy because <\/span>[one to two sentences about what you would like to address]<\/span><\/i>. Could we set up a phone consultation to discuss more in depth?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nI was also wondering <\/span>[any questions you have for the therapist about logistics, therapy style, cost, etc.].\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\nPlease let me know next steps. <\/span>[Leave a call back number if applicable.]<\/span><\/i><\/p>\nThank you!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[Your Name]<\/span><\/i><\/p>\nHow RightFit can help<\/b><\/h3>\n
RightFit<\/a><\/span>\u00a0allows you to select therapists that you\u2019d like to contact and compose one email that will be sent–individually, privately, and securely–to them at once. We even provide questions you may want to include in your email in case you get stuck. By making the process quick and seamless, we hope to alleviate anxiety around the process of finding a therapist and to connect you with the right therapist for you so you can get started on your mental health journey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
This may seem simple, but figuring out how to address a therapist can be stressful! In general, \u201cHi, [First Name]\u201d or \u201cHi, Dr. [Last Name]\u201d if they\u2019re a doctor, will be perfectly acceptable, especially if you are unsure of the therapist\u2019s pronouns.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n OK, you\u2019re past the greeting…now how do you begin? This one\u2019s easy–tell them why you\u2019re reaching out. Simply say, \u201cI am interested in starting therapy.\u201d Straightforward and to the point–the theme of this entire blog post!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many times therapists will note on their website if they are accepting new clients or not, but it\u2019s always a good idea to confirm. You will also want to ask what availability they have for sessions to make sure your schedules are compatible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There will be time later to go into specifics, but in your initial email to a therapist, a simple sentence or two about what you\u2019d like to address in therapy is sufficient. Some examples include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A therapist can go more in-depth in a live phone conversation than via email. A phone consultation is <\/span>not <\/span><\/i>a therapy session, but a 10-to-15-minute introductory conversation where, generally, the therapist will ask questions to gain a better understanding of the concerns you\u2019d like to address, give you an idea of their therapeutic approach, and discuss logistical details about cost and scheduling. This is also a chance to ask any questions you have for the therapist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While phone consultations are a great place to learn more about your therapist\u2019s philosophy and therapeutic approach, if the therapist doesn\u2019t provide consultations or if you get nervous when talking on the phone, ask in your initial outreach! Therapist questions could include:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can ask about cost in your initial email or during the therapist consultation. Therapist questions could include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ask about next steps and indicate how they can reach you…and that\u2019s it! You\u2019re done!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The above tips can be used whether you choose to call or email a therapist. If you call, it is most likely that you will have to leave a voicemail or speak to a receptionist. In both cases, the basic structure of the communication remains the same: say why you\u2019re calling, confirm availability, give a brief description of issues, ask for a phone consultation, then ask for follow up to discuss next steps (don\u2019t forget to leave a call back number!). You may hold off on asking questions about therapy style, etc., until you can communicate with the therapist directly.<\/span><\/p>\n Hi <\/span>[Therapist]<\/span><\/i>,<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>I am interested in starting therapy. I was curious if you are taking on new clients and what your availability is. I am seeking therapy because <\/span>[one to two sentences about what you would like to address]<\/span><\/i>. Could we set up a phone consultation to discuss more in depth?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I was also wondering <\/span>[any questions you have for the therapist about logistics, therapy style, cost, etc.].\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Please let me know next steps. <\/span>[Leave a call back number if applicable.]<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Thank you!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [Your Name]<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n RightFit<\/a><\/span>\u00a0allows you to select therapists that you\u2019d like to contact and compose one email that will be sent–individually, privately, and securely–to them at once. We even provide questions you may want to include in your email in case you get stuck. By making the process quick and seamless, we hope to alleviate anxiety around the process of finding a therapist and to connect you with the right therapist for you so you can get started on your mental health journey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhere to start\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Check availability<\/b><\/h3>\n
Describe what you need help with, but keep it brief<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Request a phone consultation<\/b><\/h3>\n
Determining fit<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Asking about cost<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Closing<\/b><\/h3>\n
Email vs. Phone Call<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\n<\/a><\/p>\nTemplate<\/b>:\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
How RightFit can help<\/b><\/h3>\n