You do not need to explain everything.

"I would like to book a first session" is enough. It is genuinely enough. You can tell me the rest when we speak, or in three weeks, or never.

Before you write

I am not a crisis service. I read email on weekday mornings and reply within two working days. If you need somebody sooner, please use the urgent help page, or phone 999 if there is immediate danger.

Keep this first message as short as you like — a sentence is plenty, and there is no need to go into detail about your health at this stage. We can talk about all of that when we speak.

However suits you

Email

hello@darnellecounselling.example

Weekday mornings. Reply within 2 working days. This is a perfectly good way to do it and most people use it.

Phone

01786 000 000

Leave a message. I return calls Tuesday to Thursday afternoons. You never have to phone if you would rather not.

Where

[Street address], Edinburgh [postcode]

Ground floor · step-free · buzzer with my name on it · no waiting room

Availability

I am full at the moment, but I am keeping a short waiting list.

Evening appointments Tuesday and Thursday.

Book the free fifteen minutes online instead, if you would rather not write anything at all.