If you are physically located in California, this is where we meet for your free 15–20 minute consultation, face to face, on encrypted video. No cost. No account to set up or download, and nothing to install. I am only seeing adults and couples who are 18 and over at this time.
I created this room so that you can have an opportunity to get the sense of who I am on a video call. It's my experience that you'll be able to get a sense of whether I'm going to be able to work with you, whether I'm going to be able to hear you, whether I'm going to be able to get you. I've found this is much better than an email, and 15 minutes here can save you frustration if you don't think I'm a match for you.
No therapist-client relationship exists between us unless and until we actually agree to begin therapy together. If we do, I'll send you paperwork that explains all of this more fully.
One thing to know before we talk: privacy has legal limits. Like any conversation with a licensed therapist, certain safety-related exceptions required by California law, such as mandated reporting, apply.
What to know before we meet. Please read.
About this video room
This room runs on Jitsi video technology on my own private server. I'm a bit of a dork who values privacy so much that I built my own video server. It's a machine I own, in my own office. No other company can see or hear us. The room belongs to my practice, Jim the Therapist, alone.
No ZoomNo TeamsNo Google Meet
Encryption
This room is encrypted in transit and at rest. Our conversation is encrypted while it travels between us, and it's encrypted on the server as well.
No recording
I do not record our conversation, and you agree not to record it. California is a two-party consent state.
Crisis
If you are in crisis or experiencing an emergency, do not wait for me. Call 911, or call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), any hour, any day.
Your choice, freely made
The consultation is free and carries no obligation. You may end it at any time.
The Consult Room is NOT for emergencies
This room is not monitored between appointments.
Already have a time with me? Click “Step into the room” below. Need to set one up? Use the booking link under “How it works.”
If the room won't open or something goes wonky, text me at 424-235-0614 and we'll sort it out!
Open the box above to get started.
Already booked? This is where you come.
NOTE:
When you step into the room, you'll see the video window.
Click the Join button.
You may see a notice that says “Waiting for moderator…Sign-in” or “Enter Password.” It means my security features are working and you’re in the right place. You don’t need a password. Just wait, and I’ll let you in.
On an iPhone or iPad? Please open this page in Safari. If you tapped my link from inside another app (Mail, Messages, Gmail), use the app's menu to choose “Open in Safari” first. It makes the video work reliably.
❦
At our appointed time, this is where we meet. Allow your camera and
microphone, and I'll let you in.
The door unlocks after you agree above.
Want to set something up?
If you'd like to set up a consultation, after you've agreed to the terms above, click
here
to schedule it. That will take you to my Proton Mail scheduling calendar, which
will automatically populate my calendar and inform me that you've set something up.
You'll get a confirmation with our date and time.
At our time, come back to this page. The room above is where we meet.
Step in, and I'll be here. I'll let you in, and we'll talk.
Prefer email? Send a short note to
jim@jimthetherapist.com
with the subject line CONSULT ROOM.
What to expect
Fifteen to twenty minutes, unhurried. You can ask me anything: how I work, fees, insurance, whether what you're carrying is something we could work on together.
You don't need to have it organized. Come as you are.
And if I'm not the right fit for what you need, I'll say so and point you toward who is.