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What to expect from your Initial Telephone Conversation (ITC): A guide for clients
January 30, 2025
If you’ve recently made a referral for therapeutic support, you may have been told that you will have an Initial Telephone Conversation (ITC) before your introductory assessment sessions. But what exactly is an ITC, and why is it important?
At Inspire Wellbeing Services, we believe in clear communication and transparency—because the more you understand the process, the more comfortable and confident you will feel. This guide will walk you through what to expect, why ITCs matter, and how it helps us to get the right support for you.
What is an ITC?
An Initial Telephone Conversation (ITC) is a short but essential call that helps us gather important details about you or your child before therapy begins. It’s not a therapy session, but rather an opportunity for us to:
- Learn more about the reasons for your referral.
- Understand your unique situation and concerns.
- Explain the next steps in your therapeutic journey.
- Answer any questions you may have.
This information, along with your referral, is then shared with our clinical team, who will allocate the most suitable therapist for your introductory sessions.
Why is an ITC important?
We understand that starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially if you are unsure what to expect. The ITC helps ease this transition by:
- Clarifying your concerns: We take the time to understand your situation beyond what is written on the referral form.
- Providing reassurance: You will have a chance to ask questions and understand the support available.
- Making sure we get the right fit: The more we know about your needs, the more effectively we can allocate you the therapist best suited to support you.
What will we ask you?
During the ITC, we will cover some key areas to help us build a full picture of your situation. We will typically ask about:
Main concerns
What are the main reasons for the referral?
Family dynamics
Who is involved in your/ the child’s life?
School or work
How are things going in these environments?
Friendships and social life
Any social or emotional challenges?
Frequently asked questions about ITC's
No preparation is required! Just make sure you are in a quiet space where you can speak freely. The call usually lasts around 20 minutes.
We encourage both parents to be involved, but if only one parent is available, we can proceed with them. Where possible, we recommend both parents take part in the introductory sessions.
ITCs are usually conducted only with parents for children’s referrals. If your child is a young adult, and would like to engage with us, we would welcome having a conversation with them directly, or having them present at the ITC.
If you are 16 years and over, the information would not be shared with your parents or carers unless there were Safeguarding concerns. If you are under 16 years old, we would need consent from your parent or carer for you to share information.
Next steps: what happens after the ITC?
After the ITC, our clinical team will review the information and allocate the most suitable therapist. Once allocated, your therapist will contact you directly to arrange your introductory sessions and your therapy sessions thereafter. If you would like to you can read read more about our allocations process.
Questions?
At Inspire Wellbeing Services we want to make your referral as smooth and stress-free as possible. An ITC is a simple, friendly conversation that helps us understand your needs and ensures you get the right support.
If you have any questions before your ITC, please get in touch. We are here to help.
Contact us at 01245 914 701 or hello@inspirewellbeingservices.co.uk
Get in contact with a member of our team
Get in contact with a member of our team if you want to explore support options.