What to Expect in a 15-Minute Consult Call at Cactus & Coast Counseling
Reaching out for counseling can bring up a lot of emotions, especially if you’re unsure where to begin. At Cactus & Coast Counseling, we honor the courage it takes to ask for support and to learn more about your story.
A 15-minute consultation call is meant as a space to connect, ask questions, and see whether counseling feels like the right next step for you in this season. Below are a few things to bring awareness to prior to your scheduled consultation call…
The Purpose of a Consult Call
The consult call is not therapy, but it is an important first step. It’s purpose is to help you feel informed and grounded as you explore you care options.
During this time, we may:
Talk briefly about what’s bringing you in
Share the process of counseling at Cactus & Coast (i.e. scheduling, etc)
Answer questions about approach, logistics, billing, and scheduling
Explore whether outpatient counseling is a good fit for your needs or a alternative referral (i.e. seeking an assessment for a higher level of care (inpatient/partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient) or meeting with an alternative therapist who provides alternative availability or specialized training/care).
What We’ll Talk About
What’s Bringing You Here: You’re invited to share what has led you to seek counseling support at this time.
How Counseling May Support You: We’ll briefly discuss our therapeutic approach and how counseling can support growth, healing, and emotional regulation through life’s dry seasons and overwhelming waves.
Practical Details: This is a great time to ask about…
Virtual counseling services
Session structure and frequency
Fees, insurance (if applicable), scheduling, and cancellation policy
What to expect in a first full session
Fit & Next Steps: Together, we’ll explore whether counseling at Cactus & Coast feels aligned with your goals and scheduling needs in this season to ensure you receive the best support possible. If we both feel working together is appropriate, next steps may include:
Scheduling your first session
Completing intake paperwork
Clarifying goals for therapy
What the Consult Call Is Not
It’s additionally helpful to know what the consult call is not prior to discussing…
It is not a therapy session
It is not a crisis intervention or emergency service
It is not a diagnostic or forensic evaluation
It is not a space for in-depth trauma nor counseling processing
Emergency/Crisis Resources: If urgent or higher-level needs are identified, we will help guide you toward appropriate resources. If you or a loved one is experiencing an emergency or find yourself in crisis, please call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or reach out to one of the following resources for immediate support:
512-472-HELP (4357)
800-273-TALK (8255)
When Outpatient Counseling May Not Be the Best Fit
Outpatient therapy is effective for many concerns, but it isn’t always the right level of care. We may recommend additional or alternative support if you’re experiencing:
Active suicidal thoughts with intent or a plan
Recent suicide attempts or ongoing self-harm behaviors
Severe substance use requiring medical detox or intensive treatment
Active psychosis, hallucinations, or significant disorientation
Immediate safety concerns for yourself or others
Severe difficulty with daily functioning (such as eating, sleeping, or basic self-care)
In these situations, higher levels of care such as crisis services, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization, or inpatient treatment may be more appropriate.
Confidentiality & Mandated Reporting
Your privacy matters deeply to us. Counseling is confidential, and information shared is protected by law however, therapists are mandated reporters, meaning there are limited situations where we are legally required to break confidentiality to protect safety. These include:
Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or dependent adult
Imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or others
Court orders or subpoenas requiring records
Important Note About Legal, Court, & Custody Matters
Cactus & Coast Counseling provides therapeutic services only. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Lauren/our office does not function in forensic or legal roles.
This means:
We do not provide custody evaluations or court-ordered assessments
We do not make recommendations regarding custody, visitation, or parental rights
We do not serve as expert witnesses or write legal opinions for court
Therapy records are not created for legal purposes and may not support court involvement
If you are involved in an active legal case (such as divorce or custody proceedings), counseling can still be supportive but it remains focused on emotional well-being, not legal outcomes. We encourage clients to consult with an attorney for legal guidance.
