What To Ask In A Free 20-Minute Consultation
A free 20-minute consultation is like a low-stakes first date for therapy: you’re both feeling out the vibe, seeing if there’s mutual resonance, and deciding if you want to keep talking. It is not an interview you have to “pass,” and it is not a full therapy session. It’s a brief, focused chance to see whether Soma Roots Therapy (or any other therapy practice) feels like a place your nervous system could exhale. This time is bi-directional: you are deciding about us, and we are also deciding whether our skills, values, and capacity match what you’re looking for.
Questions About Fit and Approach
You can use this consult to get a feel for how we think about healing, identity, and your specific concerns. Helpful questions might include:
How would you describe your therapy style and approach?
What does a typical session look like, especially for someone with concerns like mine?
How do you integrate things like body trust, somatic work, and social justice into therapy?
As you listen, notice not just the words, but your body’s response. Do you feel a little more at ease, or more tense and guarded? A good fit often feels like being understood and respected, even in a short conversation.
Questions About Identity, Safety, and Values
If your identities are part of why you’re seeking support, it’s absolutely okay to ask directly about them. You might ask:
Do you have experience working with clients who are queer, trans, nonbinary, neurodivergent, fat, or living with chronic illness?
How do you approach therapy through a decolonial or anti-oppressive lens?
How do you handle it if I bring in experiences of racism, fatphobia, ableism, or transphobia?
This is your time to see whether “affirming” is just a buzzword or actually shows up in how we talk about power, systems, and your lived experience. You deserve a therapist who sees your whole context, not just your symptoms.
Questions About Logistics and Boundaries
Practical details matter, too, because sustainability is part of care. Helpful questions:
What are your fees, insurance options, sliding scale, or superbill practices?
How often do you typically meet with clients, and what is your cancellation policy?
How do you handle communication between sessions (email, portal, boundaries)?
Clarity here helps prevent future stress. You’re not being “difficult” by asking about money, time, or boundaries; you’re being responsible to yourself and your resources.
What We Might Ask You
Because this consultation is bi-directional, we will also ask questions to understand whether Soma Roots Therapy is the right place for you. You can expect things like:
What brings you to therapy right now, and what feels most important to you?
Have you had therapy before? What worked well, and what really did not?
What are you hoping will feel different in your life if therapy goes well?
We’re listening for whether what you want lines up with what we offer—somatic, identity-affirming, justice-rooted work with a focus on body trust, nervous system care, and relational safety. If we’re not the best fit, we will say that clearly and, whenever possible, help with referrals rather than trying to “make it work” at your expense.
How to Know If It’s a Yes (or a No)
After the consultation, you might ask yourself:
Did I feel listened to, or talked over?
Did I feel at least a little more hopeful or grounded after the conversation?
Did this person seem curious about me as a whole human, not just a diagnosis?
If the answer is mostly yes, that’s a good sign. If something felt off, it’s okay to honor that and keep looking. Shopping around for a therapist is not being “too picky”; it’s part of finding a relationship that can actually support your healing. At Soma Roots Therapy, the consultation is an invitation, not a sales pitch. You’re allowed—and encouraged—to decide what truly feels like a fit.
