Deciding to seek therapy is a significant step toward improving your mental well-being. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, struggling with anxiety or depression, rebuilding your life after a major trauma, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, therapy can provide a safe, supportive space to explore your thoughts and feelings. Many clients who reach out have been considering therapy for a while and have lots of questions about the process.
In this blog, I aim to demystify the enquiry process and let you see what happens next when you take that first step toward therapy.
Making Contact: The First Step Toward Change
The easiest way to enquire is through the website’s contact form. The form asks for basic details like your name and contact information, and you will have the option to briefly describe what had led you to seek therapy. Don’t feel pressured to share everything at this stage—just a brief outline will do, or you can skip this part altogether if you prefer.
Alternatively, you can email your enquiry directly to info@rachelallanconsultancy.com. I don’t recommend using social media for enquiries, as these channels are not always checked regularly, and your message could be missed.
The Introductory Call: Is This Right For Me?
Once you’ve sent your mental health enquiry, you will receive a reply—usually within 24 hours. From there, we will schedule a 15-minute introductory phone call. This call is your opportunity to talk through what you are looking for in therapy and see if I am the right fit for your needs. I will ask you what led you to reaching out, and invite you to think about what you would like to get from therapy. We can talk through any questions or concerns you have, and begin to build a plan for how we would approach your difficulties together. If I feel that what you’re dealing with falls outside my expertise, I can help you find the right therapist who can support you.
Finding the right therapist is a deeply personal choice, and it’s important that you feel comfortable and heard. There is no pressure attached to the call, and no obligation to book a session afterward. The call is free of charge, and its main purpose is to see if we’re a good match to begin working together.
If you decide to move forward, we can arrange your first therapy consultation during the call. I will explain the next steps, such as payment, session setup, and the process for accessing your therapy consultation online.
How Do I Know If You Are the Right Therapist for Me?
Choosing the right therapist is an important decision, and it is completely normal to wonder, “How do I know if this is the right fit?” While many therapists have impressive qualifications and experience, it is the personal connection that often makes the difference. Therapy requires trust, and you should feel that the therapist is someone you can open up to and feel comfortable with. Sometimes, this just comes down to your gut feeling.
Trust your instincts during our initial conversations—therapy is a partnership, and it is important that it feels right. If you decide to continue searching for another therapist, that’s perfectly okay. The most important thing is finding the person you feel most comfortable with.
The First Therapy Session: What to Expect
Your first therapy session is where we begin our work together. We will usually start with some practicalities, such as going over terms and conditions, confidentiality, and gathering key contact information. These formalities are important to ensure you feel safe and informed throughout our work together.
Once that’s out of the way, the session becomes a space where we can start exploring your difficulties. You control how much you share during that first session, and we will work at your pace. It is also a space for us to begin discussing what you hope to achieve through therapy—whether it is support with an immediate loss or transition, addressing a particular problem, understanding yourself better, breaking out of longstanding patterns, or exploring longer-term personal growth. Often, it is a mix of all these things.
Reaching Out: The First Step Toward Healing
I understand that making the first contact can feel daunting. However, reaching out for help is one of the most courageous steps you can take. Your therapy journey begins with that first conversation, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Feel free to reach out when you’re ready—I look forward to hearing from you.