Even though it is common that some therapists offer a free 20- to 30-minute phone consultation before an initial intake session, especially in the US, there are some risks for providing so. Here is a summary from an article posted at the website of American Psychological Association. The original article can be reached at https://www.apaservices.org/.../marketing/free-sessions
Pros:
check if that is good-fit for each other or the provider provide/does not provide the treatment the client is looking for
help to reduce the uncertainty of what to expect
Cons:
have potential ethical and legal risks
imply the establishment of client-therapist relationship
behave like a treating psychologist, when diagnostic questions, specific advice and immediate suggestions are inquired
Recommendations:
Keep the call to five to ten minutes
Share information about treatment approach, but not the presenting problem
Share logistical information related to schedules and insurance and cost issues
Refer the caller to a more suitable provider if necessary
Remind the caller that diagnostic or therapeutic services cannot be provided during the call
有啲治療師(尤其喺美國)會喺首節諮詢前，提供20至30分鐘嘅免費電話諮詢。就算常見都好，咁樣做其實係存在一啲風險。美國心理學會網站上曾發表過一篇相關文章，以下會試列出摘要。 原文可https://www.apaservices.org/.../marketing/free-sessions 上搵到。
優點：
了解雙方係咪合適，或者服務提供者有冇提供緊佢搵緊嘅服務
幫助減少對諮詢節嘅期望嘅未知
缺點：
有潛在的道德和法律風險
暗示建立緊治療關係
當被詢問診斷問題、具體建議或即時建議時，會表現似其主治心理學家
建議：
將通話時間保持5至10分鐘
可提供有關治療方法嘅信息，並非主訴
可提供與預約、保險及收費嘅相關信息
如有需要，可將來電者轉介至更合適嘅服務提供者
提醒來電者於無法於電話提供診斷或治療服務