What happens in an initial assessment session?

You’ll meet with a trauma-informed counsellor online for 50 minutes to explore your needs, ask questions, and decide whether our services feel like a good fit. There’s no pressure to continue.

Is the initial session confidential?

Yes. All sessions are confidential and follow UK data protection laws and ethical guidelines. We only share information if there’s a serious risk of harm.

Do I have to commit to ongoing therapy?

No. The initial assessment is a standalone session with no obligation to continue. It’s a space to explore your options and ask questions.

What to Expect in Your Initial Assessment | The Echo Society Counselling UK

What to Expect in Your Initial
Assessment

Starting counselling can feel like a big step, and it’s completely natural to feel unsure. We aim to make the process feel as clear, steady, and supportive as possible.

This page offers a simple overview so you can move forward at your own pace.

What Is an Initial Assessment?

An Initial Assessment is a first session where you and your counsellor begin to get to know each other and explore what brings you to counselling.

It is not ongoing therapy, but a supportive and confidential conversation to understand your situation and what kind of support may be helpful.

There is no pressure to share anything you are not ready to discuss.

The Echo Society is not a crisis or emergency service. If you need urgent support, please contact emergency services, your GP, or a crisis support service such as Samaritans.

What Happens During the Session?

The session may include:

your reasons for seeking support
a gentle overview of your experiences
what you hope for from counselling
practical information about how sessions work

You are welcome to ask any questions you may have during the session.

What Happens After the Assessment?

After the session, you and your counsellor will decide together whether working together feels appropriate.

If it does, you can begin ongoing counselling at a pace that feels manageable.

There is no obligation to continue if the fit does not feel right for you. If you’d like to explore other options within the service, you’re welcome to let us know and we can think it through together.

How the Intake Process Works

To support a safe, thoughtful, and structured service, we follow a clear intake process:

Step 1 — Begin Intake

When you feel ready, you can begin the intake process.

Step 2 — Complete the Intake Form

You’ll be guided through a confidential form where you can share what feels comfortable for you.

There’s no rush — you’re welcome to take your time, and you can leave questions blank if you prefer.

Step 3 — Review & Matching

The information you share is carefully reviewed by our clinical team to support a thoughtful and appropriate match with a counsellor.

Step 4 — Counsellor Contact

Your counsellor will get in touch to introduce themselves and arrange a suitable time for your Initial Assessment.

Step 5 — Initial Assessment (£45)

The £45 fee is paid directly to your counsellor to confirm your Initial Assessment appointment. If, after the assessment, you both decide to continue with ongoing counselling, your counsellor will then send you the Client Agreement to review.

Fees and How They Work

Initial Assessment — £45

This fee is paid directly to your counsellor to confirm your Initial Assessment appointment. The Client Agreement is shared after the assessment if you both decide to continue with ongoing counselling.

Ongoing Counselling
If you continue, sessions are paid directly to your counsellor on a sliding scale.
You are welcome to choose a fee within the agreed range that feels fair and sustainable for you.

Moving Forward

When you feel ready, you can begin the intake process below.

You are welcome to take your time and move at a pace that feels right for you.

If you need urgent support at any point, please contact emergency or crisis services.

Begin your intake

Access the confidential intake form

You will be guided through the form step by step, and the information you share will be handled sensitively and kept secure, using systems that meet UK GDPR and HIPAA‑grade security standards.