Most people feel nervous before their first therapy session. Some have been thinking about it for months. Almost everyone wonders the same things: What will I have to talk about? What if I don't know how to explain what's wrong? What if it's awkward? Here's a plain walkthrough of how starting actually works at Mend Counseling, step by step, so there are no surprises.
Step 1: A free 15-minute consultation — before anything else
You don't commit to therapy sight unseen. Starting is a free 15-minute Clinical Consultation with Jonathon Jacobs, our owner and a licensed counselor: book it at https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/6d4ae04a or call 920-234-6842. It's a conversation, not a session — you describe, in whatever words you have, what's going on, and we'll help match you with the clinician who fits best, answer questions about insurance and cost, and explain what working together would look like. If we're not the right fit, we'll say so honestly.
Step 2: Your intake session
Your first full session is called an intake. It's mostly your clinician getting to know you: what brought you in, what you've been dealing with, a bit of background, and what you'd like to be different. A few things worth knowing:
- You don't need a polished story. "I've been anxious and I'm not sure why" is a completely fine place to start.
- You set the pace. You won't be pushed to share anything you're not ready to share in session one — or ever.
- It's also your interview. Notice how you feel with this person. Feeling heard and respected matters more than any technique, and it's okay to say if it isn't clicking.
Self-pay rates are open and posted: Individual Intake $145, Individual Session $135. If you're using insurance, we're in-network with Quartz, Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, Molina, Network Health, Forward Health (Wisconsin Medicaid), and most other major Wisconsin plans — and we verify your benefits before your intake. If you have an HMO plan, we need to check your specific coverage before your first session — HMO plans often require a referral or prior authorization, and in-network details vary by plan. Call us at 920-234-6842 and we'll verify your exact benefits.
Step 3: The telehealth setup (it's simple)
Most of our sessions happen by secure video through SimplePractice, a HIPAA-compliant system built for health care. Before your session you'll get a link — click it at your appointment time and you're in. What helps:
- A private, quiet spot where you won't be overheard
- A phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and a decent internet connection
- Headphones, if you like — many clients find they make it easier to focus
No commute, no waiting room. And because our clinicians are licensed in Wisconsin, your care can move with you anywhere in the state. Prefer to meet face to face? Select clinicians see clients in person, by appointment, at our offices in Appleton and Mequon — just ask when you call.
What to prepare (spoiler: very little)
You don't need to prepare a speech, a timeline, or a diagnosis. If it helps you feel steadier, jot down two or three things you'd like to be different — sleeping better, arguing less, feeling less on edge. That's plenty. Bring your insurance card (or a photo of it) if you're using insurance, and any questions you have. That's the whole list.
The honest bottom line
Feeling nervous is normal, and it usually fades within the first few minutes. The first session is the hardest one to book, not the hardest one to sit through. We currently have immediate availability — no waitlist — for teenagers and adults across Wisconsin. Start with the free consultation: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/6d4ae04a · 920-234-6842. More on how online care works is on our Telehealth Therapy in Wisconsin page.
If you are in crisis, call 911 or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Mend Counseling is not an emergency service.
