Although no forms are required for a free consultation, before your first session, you'll need to fill out some forms for your therapist sent via email or completed through our online secure patient portal. This bundle of forms will help your therapist decide how they can best meet your therapeutic needs. 

• Therapy, consent, policies, and agreement form 
• GAD7 
• PHQ9
• Biopsychosocial assessment
• Technology Assisted Counseling (TAC) Policy consent and agreement form
• Authorization of Release form

Let’s explore each form:

Therapy consent, policies, and agreement. This explains the therapeutic process and seeks consent from all parties involved. You'll see the structure of therapy explained. The phases of counseling include the intake phase, assessment phase, goal development,  treatment planning and intervention phase,  as well as the discharge/termination process. This document will also explain confidentiality and the rights of the client.

GAD7. This is a seven item self report anxiety questionnaire used to assess and evaluate the client’s health status from the previous 2-week period.  It will take approximately 5-10 minutes.

PHQ9. This is a brief self administered multipurpose questionnaire used for screening, diagnosing, monitoring and measuring the severity of depression symptoms. It will take approximately 5-10 minutes.

Biopsychosocial. This will go over important factors for the therapist to know such as why you are seeking counseling, what your expectations are for counseling, a family history of mental health and medical issues, and your relationships history. It will take approximately 20 minutes.

Technology-assisted counseling policy consent and agreement. This explains the benefits and limitations of TAC counseling, what happens if there is a connection loss and the expectation that you will join the session from a secure location for your own confidentiality. This is primarily used for telehealth visits. 

Authorization of release. This form allows your therapist to communicate with other professionals concerning your treatment. For example, previous clinicians, past or current healthcare providers, school staff or lawyers.

The therapist will ask you to provide the symptoms you have been experiencing that may have led you to seek therapy and how they have been impacting your daily routine. They will ask how long these have been going on and how you have and have not been coping. 

The therapist may also ask about your history of relationships, family, and living situation including daily routines and any substance use that may be assessed as impacting your life in a negative way.

If the therapist realizes they don't specialize in what you need, they may refer you out to a different provider. 

The therapeutic relationship is the foundation of the work you and your therapist will do together. If you sense it's not a good fit, you should have that conversation with your therapist and ask for a referral. A good therapist wants to be sure you get the care you need, so don't be afraid to ask questions and find the right fit for you!