We understand that taking the step to reach out for help can sometimes feel scary, especially if you don’t understand the process or feel like you might have to share sensitive information. The Phoenix Center is a trauma-informed therapy clinic, and we value and prioritize transparency. Below is an overview of what to expect when reaching out to our center for an initial intake call to begin therapy.
Our Intake Coordinator is available to guide you through our intake process every step of the way.
What can I expect during an information and intake call?
We start off each intake call by identifying ourselves and asking who we are speaking with. After introductions, we will ask what brought you to our center and ask about the type of therapy or services you are interested in. We will inquire about your preferences related to therapy and provide information and options about the therapists and services we offer.
After we establish the main reason for the call, we can provide you with some general information about our services and you can decide if you would like to proceed with completing a brief initial intake.
Our goal during the intake session will be to collect enough information to match you with a therapist that has experience related to your concerns and goals while also being congruent with your preferences.
What questions do you ask during the intake call?
Intake calls may differ slightly, depending on the nature of the call. Some of our most commonly asked questions include:
- Can you tell me a little bit about why you’d like to start therapy?
- Do you have any goals for therapy?
- Have you done therapy in the past, and has anything worked well for you?
- Do you have preferences for your ideal therapist, along with preferences for virtual or in-person sessions?
- What is your availability to attend sessions?
While it is helpful to understand the type of trauma you have experienced to find a therapist that fits well for you, you have full control over how much information you would like to share. Please share whatever you feel comfortable in sharing. This initial call is not a therapy session.
When do I find out about the cost?
All of our therapists’ fees are located at the bottom of their profile on our website. We have various fees depending on licenses, experience, and level of education. During our call we can discuss these fees and also assist with checking your insurance provider to see if they offer out-of-network reimbursement. We do not communicate directly with your insurance provider, but utilize a third-party provider, Mentaya. You can also explore these benefits yourself by clicking our Mentaya Link.
Do I have a choice in which therapist I can see?
Absolutely! During our intake call, or sometimes shortly following the call, we will provide a therapist or two that we think matches with your preferences, experience, and availability. You can decline these suggestions and ask about other providers that fall outside of the matches we initially provide, however, some of these therapists may not have availability. We will work with you to find the right fit!
What happens after a therapist is selected?
Our intake coordinator will send your information to the selected therapist. The therapist will contact you, sometimes the same day but usually within 72 hours, to complete a brief consultation call to introduce themselves and explain the process of becoming a client. During this call, you will finalize the hourly session cost and schedule your first appointment, which is a 90-minute history-taking session.
What if I need low-cost therapy?
We do have a few interns that provide sliding scale fees, however, we often have a waiting list for these spots. If you are placed on the waiting list, we will contact you when we have an available therapist. The waiting list duration varies depending on semesters and staffing availability. We are also happy to provide additional resources for low-cost therapy outside of our center. Our low-cost trauma therapy offerings are provided by our graduate students who are placed with us temporarily.
If at any point during our intake process you need time to consider options, or want additional information, we are happy to assist and follow up with you at a later time. Please note that our therapist availability changes often.
If you are interested in becoming a client, you can initiate the intake process any of these three ways:
- Using our online scheduling system: Request A Free 15 Minute Intake Call
- You can choose to do either a phone intake or a video/virtual intake.
- Calling or texting 484-440-9416
- Emailing us: support@phoenixcenter.com
