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As a psychologist, I get many calls each week with specific and important questions:
Do you see children?
Do you take insurance?
Are you accepting new clients?
When someone reaches out with questions like these, I’m always glad to return the call as soon as I can. But if I get your voicemail—or someone else answers the phone—you might notice that I keep things intentionally brief. I do not leave detailed information, and I never mention that I’m a psychologist or that the call is related to therapy. Instead, my message is usually very simple. I say my name (without the “Dr.” title) , that I’m returning their call, and I leave my number. I usually say something like, “I look forward to speaking with you,” and that’s it.
Some people wonder why I don’t just simply answer their questions on the voicemail. We are all busy and it’s convenient to be able to leave a quick specific message and receive a similarly quick message with the information we need. It’s a fair question—and the answer is one of privacy and safety.
The truth is I don’t know who’s listening. When you leave me a message, I know nothing about your home or living situation. I don’t know if you’re calling from a shared phone. I don’t know if someone else checks your voicemail. I don’t know if you’re in a situation where reaching out for support has to be done quietly and carefully. Even something as seemingly neutral as “I’m returning your call about therapy” or “Yes, I do take insurance” could unintentionally reveal more than you want others to know. That’s why I err on the side of caution. It’s not about being vague or impersonal—it’s about respecting your privacy.
Reaching out for help is a healthy and courageous step—but privacy still matters. I understand that not everyone is in a space where they can freely share that they’re considering therapy. Whether it’s due to a controlling relationship, stigma in the household about mental health, or simply a desire for discretion, your confidentiality matters deeply to me. Let’s talk when it’s safe for you. When you call me back, we can have a real conversation. I’m happy to answer all of your questions: about availability, about insurance, about the kinds of clients I work with. But I’ll always wait until I know I’m speaking directly with you.
If you’ve been wondering why I didn’t answer your question on your voicemail, now you know! It’s not because I didn’t hear you or don’t want to help—it’s because your privacy, safety, and comfort are my top priorities. Thanks for trusting me with your call. I look forward to connecting soon!
