Start with a Free Telephone Consultation
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. This free telephone consultation helps us understand what you need, answer practical questions, and explore whether a JL Family Services therapist may be the right fit.
Why the Consultation Matters
A free telephone consultation for therapy gives you room to ask questions and get clear about the next step before scheduling a full therapy appointment.
Finding a therapist is personal. Credentials matter, but so do communication style, availability, specialty, payment options, and whether you can picture yourself speaking honestly with that person.
The free telephone consultation gives our intake team a better understanding of what has been going on, what you hope will change, and what kind of support may feel right. It also gives you a chance to learn how our process works without pressure to move forward.
Important: The consultation is not a therapy session, crisis service, diagnosis, or guarantee of placement with a specific clinician. It is a focused conversation about fit and possible next steps.
A Consultation Is Helpful When…
You are interested in therapy, but you still have a few questions—or you simply want a human conversation before deciding what comes next.
You are ready, but unsure where to begin
You know something needs to change, even if you do not have the perfect words for it yet.
You want help finding the right fit
You have preferences around identity, specialty, approach, availability, or the kind of therapist you connect with.
You have practical questions
You want clarity about telehealth, the Chicago office, scheduling, insurance, self-pay, or the intake process.
You do not need a polished explanation. You just need a place to start.
What to Expect During Your Free Telephone Consultation
The conversation is designed to gather enough information to guide you—not to make you tell your whole life story to a stranger on the phone.
What brings you in
You can briefly share the concerns, changes, relationship patterns, stressors, or symptoms that led you to reach out.
What support could look like
We may discuss individual, couples, or family therapy and whether you prefer telehealth or in-person care in Chicago.
Your therapist preferences
Tell us what matters to you, including specialties, lived experience, communication style, availability, or other qualities.
Logistics and questions
You can ask about availability, insurance, EAP benefits, self-pay, or anything else you need to understand before proceeding.
Four Simple Steps
Choose how you would like to contact us
Request your free telephone consultation through the secure client portal, or use our Contact Us form if you need help getting started.
Choose “Requesting a free telephone consultation”
Under inquiry reason, select the free telephone consultation option so our team understands what you are requesting.
Share your needs and availability
Provide your contact information, preferred times, type of care, therapist preference, modality, and insurance or payment information. If your first-choice therapist is unavailable, describe what matters in an alternate match.
Watch for our follow-up
Our intake team will review your inquiry and contact you using your preferred method. The form is a request; it does not automatically confirm a consultation time.
Before the Call
You do not need notes, a diagnosis, or a perfectly organized story. Still, it can help to think through a few basics.
- The main concern you want help with
- Whether care is for you, your relationship, your child, or family
- Days and times that usually work for you
- Your preference for telehealth or the Chicago office
- Your insurance carrier, EAP, or self-pay questions
- Therapist qualities or specialties that matter to you
What Happens Next?
If JL Family Services appears to be a good fit and an appropriate therapist is available, the intake team will explain the next steps for beginning care. This may include setting up your client portal, reviewing scheduling options, and completing required intake documents before your first therapy appointment.
If we do not have the right match or availability, we will be honest about that. The goal of the consultation is clarity—not pressure.
Free Telephone Consultation FAQs
Is the consultation a therapy session?
No. It is a brief introductory conversation about your needs, preferences, questions, and potential next steps. Clinical treatment begins only after you become a client and attend a scheduled therapy appointment.
Do I have to choose a therapist first?
No. You may name a preferred therapist, or tell us the specialties, identity factors, approach, availability, or other qualities that would help you feel comfortable.
Does submitting the form confirm my call?
No. The form sends a request to the intake team. We will review it and follow up using the contact method you selected.
Can I ask about insurance or payment?
Yes. Include your insurance carrier, EAP information, or payment questions in the form so the intake team can discuss the most relevant information with you.
What if my preferred therapist is unavailable?
You can describe what you are looking for in another therapist. The intake team can consider those preferences when discussing available options.
What if I need immediate help?
The consultation form is not monitored as an emergency or crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. In the United States, call or text 988 or visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Let’s Talk About What You Need
A free telephone consultation can help turn “I think I need support” into a clear, manageable next step.
If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911. For immediate crisis support in the United States, call or text 988.
