What should I say when I contact the practice?

A brief description is enough. You might say that you are looking for individual therapy for anxiety, support after a loss, or couples therapy for communication concerns. Include whether you prefer in-person or online appointments, the state where you will attend, and whether you have a preference for Meg or Seema. You do not need to put your full personal history in an initial message.

What happens during the free consultation?

Use the conversation to describe what brings you in and find out whether the clinician’s work fits your needs. You can ask about their approach, current availability, session format, and fees. You can also say what helped or did not help in previous therapy, or that this is your first time seeking support.

• Do you work with the concerns I am bringing?
• How might we decide what to focus on first?
• What is your approach, and how can I give feedback?
• What are the fee, session length, and appointment options?
• What information or forms will I need before the first session?

There is no need to tell everything in 20 minutes. An introductory consultation is a starting point for considering fit, not a full assessment or a promise of treatment.

How is the paid intake different?

The intake provides more time to discuss your concerns, relevant history, current circumstances, and hopes for therapy. It is also a place to clarify consent, confidentiality and its limits, scheduling expectations, and how you will work together. Ask for an explanation whenever something is unclear.

You can describe what feels hardest now rather than trying to organize your life into a perfect timeline. If you are unsure where to begin, say so. If a topic feels difficult to discuss, that is useful information to share with the therapist.

What should I prepare?

• A few notes about what led you to seek therapy and what you hope might change.
• Questions about the therapist’s approach and experience with your concerns.
• Relevant information about previous care, current treatment, and support you want to discuss.
• Your practical limits around time, budget, privacy, and travel.
• Any questions about accessibility or arrangements you need before attending.

For an online appointment, review our telehealth preparation guide. For an office visit, confirm the time and arrival instructions. Our address is 32 Lenox Pointe NE, Atlanta, GA 30324.

What if I am nervous, emotional, or unsure what to say?

You can tell the therapist exactly that. You do not need to perform being ready for therapy. The first appointment can include discussing what helps you feel comfortable asking questions, slowing down, or changing the focus. Your preferences and feedback matter to the working relationship.

What happens after the first session?

You and your therapist can discuss the focus, frequency, and next steps. Most individual clients at this practice attend weekly 50-minute sessions; listed couples sessions are 80 minutes. Your plan should be discussed individually. Review current appointments and fees before booking and ask what applies to your intake and ongoing appointments.

You can reflect on whether you felt heard, could ask questions, and understood the proposed approach. Fit is something you can talk about. The National Institute of Mental Health’s psychotherapy guide includes questions about credentials, treatment goals, confidentiality, and evaluating progress.

Which clinician should I contact?

Meg Bearman, LPC/MHSP, ATR and Seema Sharma, Pre-Licensed Professional, MA both work with adults and couples. Seema is supervised by Randi Williams, LPC, CPCS. Meg offers online therapy in Georgia and Tennessee; Seema offers online therapy in Georgia only. You can compare Meg and Seema or ask the practice to discuss the options with you.

Start with a conversation

You can request a free 20-minute consultation by phone or video, call (404) 465-3885, or email megbearman@megbearmancounseling.com. Tell us the kind of support you are looking for, your preferred format, and the state where you will attend sessions.

Published by Meg Bearman Counseling. Updated September 28, 2026.