Psychological Consultation NYC: Start With a Free 15-Minute Call
Psychological Consultation NYC at SR Psychological Services gives you a simple, no-pressure way to ask questions, describe what has been going on, and find out what kind of mental health support fits best. No cost, no commitment, and no diagnosis is required to start.
Start With a Free 15-Minute Therapy Consultation
A free therapy consultation gives you space to ask questions, share what has been difficult, and understand what kind of mental health support may fit best. SR Psychological Services is a licensed outpatient psychology practice in Midtown Manhattan, led by psychologist Dr. Shatiece Riley and serving adults across New York City.
What Is a Psychological Consultation?
A psychological consultation is a brief, structured conversation with a mental health practice before treatment begins. It helps you describe your concerns, ask questions, and decide whether therapy, a psychological assessment, or another level of care may be the right next step. At SR Psychological Services, this consultation is free, lasts 15 minutes, and requires no diagnosis or referral.
What Happens During the Free Consultation Call?
The consultation is a conversation, not an evaluation. You can ask questions before starting therapy, talk through what has been difficult, and learn what kind of next step may fit. Here is how the free therapy consultation call typically works:
Minutes 1–5: You talk
Describe what’s been going on in your own words. “I haven’t slept properly in two months” is more than enough detail to start.
Minutes 5–10: We answer.
Ask anything about how therapy works, what the intake process involves, whether Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, or Blue Cross Blue Shield may cover care, and whether in-person or telehealth services may fit your situation.
Minutes 10–15: Next steps
If SR Psychological Services may be a fit, the team explains the next step in the intake process. If another type of care seems better suited, we say so and point you toward a more appropriate direction when possible.
What Happens After the Consultation?
If you choose to move forward after the initial consultation, the process can lead into a clear care path:
Initial screening
Dr. Shatiece Riley conducts a supportive intake session to understand your background, current concerns, and goals.
Therapist matching
The team considers your concerns, goals, and clinical fit when helping identify an appropriate clinician for ongoing therapy.
Individualized treatment plan
You and your therapist build a plan grounded in evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic therapy.
Ongoing sessions
If ongoing therapy is appropriate, sessions may take place in person at our Midtown office or by secure, HIPAA-aligned telehealth when eligibility requirements are met.
Consultation vs. Therapy vs. Psychological Assessment
A consultation, therapy, and psychological assessment each answer a different question. The consultation helps you decide where to start. Therapy is ongoing treatment. An assessment, also called a psychological evaluation, involves formal testing when clinically indicated.
| Service | Purpose | Length & Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Psychological consultation | Understand your concerns and choose the right level of care | 15 minutes │ Free |
| Individual therapy | Ongoing, one-on-one treatment with a matched clinician | 45–50 minutes weekly │ Insurance accepted |
| Psychological assessment | Formal testing and diagnostic clarity, where clinically indicated | Varies by referral question │ Quoted upfront |
Insurance and Your First Consultation
Aetna
United HealthCare
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Why Start With SR Psychological Services?
Starting with SR Psychological Services gives you a pressure-free way to ask questions, understand clinical fit, and decide whether therapy, assessment, or another care path may be appropriate.
Genuinely Free, Pressure-Free
The 15-minute consultation costs nothing and does not obligate you to begin therapy. It is a practical first step for asking questions and deciding whether the practice may be a good fit.
A Clinically Focused Team
SR Psychological Services is a doctoral-led outpatient psychology practice with clinicians who provide psychological and counseling services within their training, supervision, and areas of clinical competence.
Personal Matching by Dr. Riley
Dr. Riley helps match clients with a clinician whose training and approach may fit their concerns, goals, and preferred care path.
Built Around Working New Yorkers
The office is located at 303 5th Avenue, Suite 502 in Midtown Manhattan, near Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park, and Penn Station. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-9:00 PM, and Saturday-Sunday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.
FAQs About Starting With a Consultation
We accept Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Our administrative team can verify your coverage before your first appointment at no cost to you.
Yes. The 15-minute consultation is completely free, with no obligation to book a session afterward. It exists so you can ask questions and confirm we're the right fit before committing time or money. Call (917) 705-6155 or request a callback through our website.
No. You do not need a diagnosis, a referral, or insurance approval to speak with us. If something has felt persistently difficult, that is a valid reason to call. Our team will help you determine the right level of care during the conversation.
Whatever feels natural. Most people describe what's been hard lately — sleep, mood, stress, a relationship, a loss — in a few sentences. There are no wrong answers and nothing to prepare. Our team asks gentle follow-up questions and takes it from there.
Yes. The conversation is private and handled under the same professional standards as our clinical care, consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Nothing you share becomes a treatment record unless you choose to become a client. If you do, your therapist reviews informed consent — including the limited legal exceptions to confidentiality — in your first session.
Consultations are typically by phone at a time you choose. If you prefer video, we can arrange a secure telehealth call. In-person consultations at our 303 5th Avenue office can be requested when scheduling.
Yes. Many callers are already in treatment and want a fresh clinical perspective. We'll listen to your situation and tell you honestly whether a change in approach, a psychological assessment, or continuing your current care makes the most sense. We never disparage another provider's work.
We tell you directly and, wherever possible, point you toward more appropriate care. We practice only within our areas of clinical competence, so referring out when needed is part of doing this job properly.
If you decide to move forward, the team explains the next step in the intake process and helps determine whether therapy, assessment, or another care path may be appropriate. Telehealth may be available to clients located in New York, New Jersey, and Florida, depending on clinician licensure and service eligibility.
Ready to Book Psychological Consultation NYC?
Psychological Consultation NYC support can begin with one short, free call. Talk with our team, ask your questions, and find out what the best next step looks like.
