Questions People Ask
What Happens in a Free Consultation?
Reaching out to a counselor for the first time can feel like a big step. The free consultation makes it a small one: a short, no-pressure conversation to see whether working together makes sense.
How to Request One
Right now, the way to reach me is the message form on the Work With Me page. Online booking through my SimplePractice portal opens shortly; until then, the form does the job. A single sentence is enough. You do not need to explain your whole story.
Please keep sensitive clinical details out of the form, since it is email rather than a medical record. I usually reply with times within one to two business days.
What the Call Is Like
The consultation is a short, relaxed conversation, designed to be easy to say yes to:
- About fifteen minutes, by phone or video.
- No charge, and no obligation to book anything afterward.
- No intake form to fill out first, and no paperwork.
- Your story does not need to be organized before we talk.
Before the Call
You do not need to prepare anything, but a few small things can make the call easier. Find a private spot where you can talk freely. If you tend to freeze up, jot down one or two things you want to say, or questions you want answered. If you are calling for a teen, it can help to note what you have been noticing at home and for how long.
Nervousness is normal. You are allowed to say you are nervous, and it is a perfectly good way to start.
What I Will Ask
I will ask what has been going on and what you are hoping will change. You can share as much or as little as you like. I might ask a follow-up question or two to understand whether my approach fits what you need, and I will explain how I work so you can judge that for yourself.
The consultation is not a commitment. It is a conversation, and you can stop after it with no hard feelings.
What You Can Ask Me
This call is for your questions as much as mine. Good questions to bring:
- What the session fee is, and whether a reduced-fee place is open.
- How I work, including cognitive behavioral therapy and client-centered, solution-focused approaches.
- Whether faith can be part of counseling, or kept out entirely.
- How the Texas location rule applies to your situation.
- How scheduling and paperwork run through SimplePractice.
- How parents are involved, if the counseling is for a teen.
If I Am Not the Right Fit
Sometimes what you need is outside what I offer, or someone else would be a better match. If so, I will say so honestly and point you somewhere better. That is not a rejection. It is part of making sure you get the right help.
If You Decide to Go Ahead
If we both feel it is a good fit, we schedule your first session. Before it, you will get a secure video link and a couple of standard forms through the SimplePractice portal, so the session itself can be about you rather than paperwork.
The first session is fifty minutes. It is mostly you talking and me listening closely, and you leave with one small, concrete thing to try. Payment is self-pay; see rates for details, and the FAQ for more practical answers.
Common Questions
- Do I have to know what is wrong before I reach out?
- No. You can simply describe what your days have been like, and we can sort out the rest together. Not having the words for it yet is completely normal.
- Is the consultation confidential?
- Yes. What you share is kept private, within the legal limits every Texas counselor follows. Because the message form is email, save sensitive details for the call itself.
- Will I be pressured to book?
- No. There is no obligation, and there is no follow-up sales pitch if you decide it is not for you. The point is to help you make a good decision, whatever it turns out to be.
- Can a parent request a consultation for a teen?
- Yes. A parent can reach out on a teen's behalf, and the consultation is a good time to ask how parents are involved. For more on that work, see therapy for teens in Texas.
Take the Small Step
Send a short note through the Work With Me page to request your free consultation. One sentence is plenty to get started.