Q: What is a consult call?
A: Some therapists offer a brief call before a paid appointment. It is a chance to ask about approach, availability, fee and fit. It is not a standard benefit: length, price, privacy practices and whether clinical advice is offered vary by practice.
Worked example: before booking, ask three therapists the same short questions. Comparable answers make the differences in schedule, fee and approach easier to see.
Do this: ask three things on every call: "How would you work with what I described?" · "What would weekly cost me, all-in?" · "Do you have a consistent slot?" The 5-day search method → builds around these calls.
Sources: California BBS public materials identify fees, scheduling and treatment terms as matters to establish before therapy: BBS public materials (PDF). Whether a practice offers a consult call is up to that practice.