What Can I Expect From an Initial Intake Call and Process?

Making the decision to reach out for help can be one of the hardest—and most important—steps you take.

If you have been searching for a therapist, you may already be carrying a lot. You may be struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, grief, relationship concerns, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life. Or maybe you aren't quite sure what is wrong—you just know that something needs to change.

Whatever brought you here, you don't have to have it all figured out before you reach out.

At Cardinal Counseling, the initial intake call is the beginning of a conversation. It gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you, answer your questions, and begin determining what type of support may be the right fit.

The First Step Is Reaching Out

We know that making that first call or sending that first message isn't always easy. You may feel nervous about what you will be asked or wonder whether therapy can help.

You don't need to have the right words or a diagnosis to get started.

Our goal is to make the first conversation as comfortable and welcoming as possible.

What Will I Be Asked During the Initial Intake Call?

During your initial call, we will ask some questions to get to know you and better understand what you are looking for. This may include basic demographic and insurance information to help with the practical side of getting started.

We will also want to understand what brought you to therapy now and what you hope will be different.

You might be experiencing:

• Anxiety, depression, or stress

• Trauma or difficult past experiences

• Grief and loss

• Family or relationship concerns

• Major life changes

• Substance use or addiction

• Difficulty managing emotions

• Low self-esteem or self-confidence

• Feeling stuck or overwhelmed

Sometimes, you may not be able to put a name to what you're feeling.

That's okay. You don't have to explain everything perfectly during your first call.

Talking About Substance Use

If substance use is part of what brought you to counseling, you may feel nervous about discussing it. We understand that conversations about alcohol or drug use can be difficult.

During the intake process, we may ask about your current and past substance use so we can better understand your situation and determine how we can support you.

You don't have to wait until everything falls apart to ask for help. Reaching out when you recognize that something isn't working can be a meaningful step toward change.

What Kind of Therapy Are You Looking For?

You may come into the conversation knowing exactly what you want, or you may be unsure.

You don't have to be the expert.

We can talk through your concerns, goals, and what you hope to get out of counseling. From there, we can help determine what services and approach may be the right fit for your needs.

What Happens After the Intake Call?

Once we have gathered some basic information and talked about what you are looking for, we can discuss the next step. This may include scheduling your first therapy appointment, connecting you with a therapist who is a good match for your needs, or reviewing available services.

The intake process is simply the beginning of getting to know you and understanding how we may be able to help.

If you've been thinking about therapy but haven't made the call yet, remember that you don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out.

When you're ready, we're here to listen.

By: Kelly Estrela Office Manager.