Free 30-Minute Therapy Assessment in Arlington, MA & Online
Not sure where to start? Talk with a member of our clinical team for 30 minutes, free. We'll help you decide if therapy is the right step, what kind of support fits, how and when to begin, and who on our team is the best match.
Five Questions We Help You Answer
Starting therapy comes with a lot of unknowns. The free assessment is a calm, practical conversation to sort them out together.
Is therapy the right step for you right now, or would another kind of support help more?
What kind of care fits: individual, couples, family or teen therapy, a support group, or a combination?
How you'd like to meet: in person in Arlington or online anywhere in Massachusetts, and how often.
When to begin: start now, join a group's waiting list, or plan around a demanding season.
Who the support is for (you, your partner, your teen or your family) and who on our team is the best match.
How the Free Assessment Works
Request a time
Fill out our short request form and tell us whether you'd prefer secure video or an in-person visit at 7 Central Street, Suite 160, Arlington. Our team will reach out to confirm a time.
Talk for 30 minutes
A member of our clinical team listens to what's going on, asks a few questions, and answers yours about approaches, insurance, scheduling and our groups. You share only what you're comfortable sharing.
Leave with a clear next step
You'll get an honest recommendation. If you choose to continue, we'll help you complete intake and schedule your first session or group. If another provider would serve you better, we'll help point you there.
The assessment is a good fit if…
- You're not sure therapy is for you, or whether now is the right time
- You don't know which kind of therapy or which clinician to choose
- You're deciding between individual therapy and one of our groups
- You're a parent figuring out the right support for your teen
- You and your partner want to see if couples counseling fits
- You want to understand insurance and logistics before committing
What it is not
- Not a therapy session or a formal diagnosis
- Not billed to your insurance, and never a hidden charge
- Not a commitment: you decide what happens next
- Not crisis care. If you are in danger, call 911. For urgent support, call or text 988
Individual, couples and family therapy afterward can be billed to our in-network plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, Aetna, Cigna, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Optum and UnitedHealthcare. Private pay and superbills are available too.
Free Assessment: Common Questions
Is the free assessment really free?
Yes. The 30-minute assessment is completely free, nothing is billed to your insurance, and there's no obligation to continue.
How long is it, and is it by video or in person?
It lasts about 30 minutes. You can meet by secure video from anywhere in Massachusetts, or in person at our office at 7 Central Street, Suite 160, Arlington, MA 02476.
Who will I talk with?
A member of Al-Kindi's clinical team, who will answer your questions and help match you with the right clinician, format and next step.
Do I need insurance to book the assessment?
No. During the call we can talk through your insurance, private-pay options and superbills. We're in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Aetna, Cigna, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Optum and UnitedHealthcare.
Can I book an assessment for my teen, my partner or my family?
Yes. Parents and guardians can request an assessment for a teen, and couples or families can join together. Let us know who will be attending when you request a time.
What should I prepare?
Nothing formal. It helps to think about what's been hardest lately, what you'd like to be different, what matters to you in a therapist, your schedule and your insurance plan. Bring your questions too.
Is the free assessment confidential?
Yes. What you share is handled with the same care as any clinical conversation, with the standard safety exceptions your clinician can explain.
What if Al-Kindi isn't the right fit for me?
We'll tell you honestly and help point you toward care that fits better. The goal of the assessment is the right next step for you, wherever that is.
Do I have to be in Massachusetts?
Yes. You need to be located in Massachusetts at the time of the assessment and any therapy sessions, whether you meet in person or online.
What happens after the assessment?
If you decide to begin, we'll help you complete the clinical intake and schedule your first session or group. If you'd like time to think, that's fine too.
What if I'm in crisis?
The assessment is not crisis care. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For urgent emotional support at any time, call or text 988, or call or text the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445.
Thirty minutes, no cost and no pressure. Just a clearer sense of what will help.
In crisis? Al-Kindi is not an emergency service. If you or someone you love is in danger, call 911. For immediate emotional support, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or call or text the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445, 24/7.