Seattle Counseling Center

What is a consultation and why should I book one?

A consultation is a conversation either in our Queen Anne or virtual office where you can meet your potential therapist. During a consultation, you should expect to identify what brings you to therapy, what your goals for therapy are, and assess your comfort level. Questions you might ask your therapist include:

• What type of therapy do you practice?

• How have you treated clients with similar concerns I bring?

• What are your available appointment times?

When assessing fit, your job is to ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I feel comfortable talking to this person?

• Can I imagine myself being honest with them?

• Are they able to communicate clearly what they do?

• Do our schedules align?

• Can I afford their fee?

The therapeutic relationship (the relationship between therapist and client) is the NUMBER ONE predictor of successful therapy outcomes. It is essential you pick the right therapist for you! Read about our therapists and schedule a free, 20 minute consultation today.

What should I expect in a therapy session?

In every session you should expect a safe and confidential space where your therapist gives you their full attention, follows ethical guidelines, and meets with you for 53-60 minutes.

Within that container, what happens can look very different from session to session. In your first meeting, you’ll likely share what brings you to therapy, what you hope to achieve, and some context about your life up to this point. Future sessions can take many forms:

• Exploring emotions and putting words to what you’re feeling

• Reflecting on past events or choices

• Examining patterns in relationships or behavior

• Talking about the therapy process itself

Your therapist will ask thoughtful, probing questions designed to help you understand yourself more deeply, but they won’t tell you what to do, act as a spiritual guide, or predict your future. Therapy is a collaborative process: you are the expert on your own life, and your therapist’s role is to support, reflect, and guide the exploration.

How do I know if therapy is working?

Therapy is working if you experience any of the following:

• identifying new thoughts or feelings

• relating to your thoughts or feelings differently

• moving through the world differently, including trying new things or ceasing negative behaviors

• feeling closer in relationships

• feeling more embodied

• courage to navigate difficult conversations

• new understandings about the people in your life

• new understandings about yourself

• symptom reduction