When Does Therapy Really Start? Managing Risk and Responsibility Before the First Session

When Does Therapy Really Start? Managing Risk and Responsibility Before the First Session

When does therapy actually begin—and when does therapist responsibility start? Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy explore the ethical, legal, and clinical risks that can arise before the first session ever happens, and what therapists can do to protect both their clients and themselves.

In this host-led episode, they break down common scenarios involving consultation calls, intake paperwork, crisis disclosures, collateral contacts, and missed first appointments. They offer practical guidance for clarifying client status, setting boundaries early, and reducing risk at the very start of care.

Key Takeaways for Therapists

• Therapy can begin earlier than many clinicians expect

• Agreeing to treatment may create responsibility even before the first session

• Intake paperwork disclosures can require timely follow-up

• Clear communication about availability and crisis procedures reduces risk

• Collateral contacts are not clients unless explicitly defined as part of treatment

• Follow-up and documentation matter, even when therapy never fully begins

Read the complete show notes and resources for this episode at:
https://mtsgpodcast.com

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Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits

Voice Over: DW McCann – https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/
Music: Crystal Grooms Mangano – https://groomsymusic.com/