What Happens When You Call In For Therapy? Pacific Coast

Choosing to seek therapy may range on a spectrum from an easy, no-brainer decision, to a very complex, scary decision.

The thought of being authentic and vulnerable with a stranger can feel overwhelming. In many cases, it can be daunting, and even uncomfortable. Pacific Coast Therapy offers a free, 15-minute phone consultation with a skilled Practice Coordinator/Therapist in Santa Cruz, CA. Reaching out can ease some of the initial stress and fear that may accompany the search for a therapist.

After submitting an inquiry for services, either via our website, Psychology Today, phone call or text to (831) 621-1133, or email to info@pacificcoasttherapy.com, you will receive a response within one business day. Our friendly Practice Coordinator, Megan, will either call, text, or email you. Then, you can schedule an appointment for the initial consultation. While on the phone, Megan will ask questions to understand a bit more about why you are seeking therapy. By doing so, she can see if there is a good therapist fit within our practice of nine therapists. We understand that not there may not be a perfect fit within our practice. But, we take mental health treatment very seriously. As a result, we can also provide some referrals or recommendations for people outside of our practice. These may better suit your needs. Some examples of questions that may come up include:

Have you been to therapy before?
Can you describe the most prominent symptoms you are seeking treatment for?
Do you prefer online therapy or in-person services?
Are there any cultural, religious, or other factors that you’d like us to consider before matching you with a therapist?

What Are My Next Steps To Meet With A Therapist in Santa Cruz, CA?

Once Megan feels that she has enough information that can be used to make a well-suited recommendation for a therapist, she will begin describing her recommendation and why. After hearing her recommendations, you will have the chance to ask more questions about that therapist. During this time, you can ensure it sounds like a good match for you. Once you feel comfortable moving forward, Megan will ask for any extra info needed. After Megan has all the necessary info to add you as a client, you will begin to discuss scheduling. Megan will provide you with a couple of days and times that your selected therapist has available. By doing so, you can choose the time slot that is best for your schedule. Once you have selected a time slot, you will be scheduled for the same day and time each week, unless otherwise discussed with your therapist. And that’s it! After scheduling your time slot, Megan will inform you of the next steps about the paperwork that needs to be completed before your first session.

Getting Started With The Paperwork

Our online booking system is called Simple Practice. It makes things very easy for both therapists and clients. All we need is your first and last name, email address, and phone number to get you signed up as a client. Once Megan signs you up as a client, you will receive an email from Simple Practice. This will have the link to your client portal. After navigating to your client portal, be sure to click “existing client” since Megan added you into the system on the back end.

In your client portal will be all the intake forms that need to be filled out. These forms are all e-signature, so there is no need to print anything out. Even if you are going to attend sessions in person, we ask that you sign our “Consent for Telehealth” form. That form is needed in the case that you or your therapist is sick and needs to schedule a virtual appointment. Of course, if you have any questions about these forms, always feel free to contact Megan, and she will kindly answer any questions you may have.