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Counseling Intake Form

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Counseling Intake Form

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Psychotherapy Intake Form

We kindly ask your cooperation in answering the questions below as accurately as possible since they will assist your counselor in assessing your needs pre-appointment.

Section 1: Demographics & contact information

Name
First Name
Last Name
Address
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Cell Phone Number
(000) 000-0000
Please enter a valid phone number.
Home Phone Number
(000) 000-0000
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com
Gender
Please Select▾
Age
ex: 23
Birth Date
MM-DD-YYYY▦
Date
Preferred contact method
PhoneEmailText

Section 2: Emergency contacts & safety

Emergency contact name
Relationship
Emergency contact phone
(000) 000-0000
Please enter a valid phone number.
Would you like to share more about your current wellbeing and safety?
NoYes
If yes, please share what you would like us to know
Are you currently experiencing a crisis or thoughts of harm?
NoYes

Section 3: Safety assessment

In the past two weeks, have you had thoughts of self-harm?
NoA littleOften
Have you ever attempted suicide?
NoYes
Are you currently having thoughts of harming yourself or others?
NoYes
Recent thoughts of suicide or self-harm — please describe

Section 4: Medical & mental health history

Current medical conditions
Past mental health diagnoses
Current medications
Allergies

Section 5: Trauma history

Have you experienced any of the following? (check all that apply)
Physical abuseEmotional abuseSexual abuseNeglectDomestic violenceCommunity violenceSerious accident or injurySudden loss of a loved oneNone of the abovePrefer not to say
Approximate age(s) when this occurred
Have you ever received support or therapy related to these experiences?
YesNo
How do these experiences affect you today?

Section 6: Family & social history

Family mental health history
Relationship / marital status
Living situation
Social support
Were you adopted?
YesNo
Where did you grow up?
List your siblings and their ages
Did your parents divorce?
YesNo

Section 7: Current concerns

What brings you in today?
How long has this been present?

Section 8: Goals for therapy

What are your goals for therapy?
What would a successful outcome look like for you?
Which goal feels most important to start with?

Section 9: Substance use history

Substance use history
Frequency of use
Do you exercise regularly?
YesNo
How much time each day do you exercise?
Have you ever tried any of the following? (check all that apply)
MethamphetamineCocaineStimulants (pills)HeroinLSD or hallucinogensMarijuanaPain killers (not as prescribed)MethadoneTranquilizers / sleeping pillsAlcoholEcstasyOther
Have you ever smoked cigarettes?
YesNo
If yes, how many packs per day?
For how many years?
Other behavioral health information

Section 10: Treatment history & medications

Previous treatment or therapy
Current providers
Current medications
Notes

Section 11: Past psychiatric medications

If you have ever taken any of the following medications, please indicate the dates and daily dosage.

Psychiatric medications you have ever taken
Have you ever taken it?DatesDosageSide Effects?
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Zoloft (sertraline)
Luvox (fluvoxamine)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Celexa (citalopram)
Lexapro (escitalopram)
Effexor (venlafaxine)
Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Wellbutrin (bupropion)
Remeron (mirtazapine)
Serzone (nefazodone)
Anafranil (clomipramine)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
Tofranil (imipramine)
Elavil (amitriptyline)
Tegretol (carbamazepine)
Lithium
Depakote (valproate)
Lamictal (lamotrigine)
Topamax (topiramate)
Seroquel (quetiapine)
Zyprexa (olanzapine)
Geodon (ziprasidone)
Abilify (aripiprazole)
Clozaril (clozapine)
Haldol (haloperidol)
Prolixin (fluphenazine)
Risperdal (risperidone)
Ambien (zolpidem)
Sonata (zaleplon)
Rozerem (ramelteon)
Restoril (temazepam)
Desyrel (trazodone)
Adderall (amphetamine)
Concerta (methylphenidate)
Ritalin (methylphenidate)
Strattera (atomoxetine)
Xanax (alprazolam)
Ativan (lorazepam)
Klonopin (clonazepam)
Valium (diazepam)
Tranxene (clorazepate)
Buspar (buspirone)
Other medications?

Section 12: Primary care physician

Primary care physician name
Clinic or practice name
Phone Number
(000) 000-0000
Please enter a valid phone number.
May we contact your primary care physician about your care?
YesNo

Section 13: Relationship

What is your relationship status?
MarriedSeparatedWidowedOtherNever MarriedDomestic Partnership
How would you rate your relationship well-being?
12345678910
Not functioningNo problems

Section 14: Employment

What is your employment status?
EmployedRetiredDisabledHomemakerOtherUnemployedSelf-employedStudent
Your average monthly income (USD)
ex: 23
USD

Section 15: Family & household

Including yourself, how many people live in your household?
−1+
Total household monthly income (USD)
ex: 23
USD
Family history of any of the following conditions (check all that apply)
YesNoIndicate Family Member
Anxiety
Depression
Substance abuse / alcohol
Arrests
Obesity
Schizophrenia
Suicide attempt
Domestic violence
Additional comments
How would you rate your family relationship?
12345678910
Not functioningNo problems

Section 16: History

Have you previously received any type of mental health services?
YesNo
If yes, please describe the services you received
Are you currently on psychiatric medication?
YesNo

Section 17: General health information

How would you rate your physical health condition?
12345678910
Very PoorExcellent
How often do you exercise?
12345678910
NoneVery Often
How would you describe your general appetite?
12345678910
Very PoorVery Hungry
How would you describe your stress level throughout the day?
12345678910
Very RelaxedVery Stressed
How would you rate your general happiness and well-being?
12345678910
Very unhappyVery happy

Section 18: Symptoms

Please answer all of the statements below that describe your concerns

I often experience
Fear of many thingsGuiltPanic attacksAvoiding peopleHaving nightmaresAnxiety, nervousnessDiscomfort in social situationsSexual issuesOther
I often have
Suicidal thoughtsMemory problemsSleeping disorderStruggled to explain myself to othersObsessive thoughtsViolent thoughtsStress and tensionMedical concernsFatigueWork problemsOther
I often feel
LonelyEmptySadHopeless about the futureExcessive guiltSuspiciousOther

Section 19: Referral source

How did you hear about us?
Doctor or provider referralFriend or familyInsurance directoryOnline searchSocial mediaOther
Referred by (name, if applicable)
Reason for referral (if applicable)

Section 20: Appointment & availability

Please check your available times for a weekly appointment? (Check as many as applies)
MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Please book an available time for your first appointment?
06/29/2026▦
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM10:00 AM - 11:00 AM11:00 AM - 12:00 PM1:00 PM - 2:00 PM2:00 PM - 3:00 PM3:00 PM - 4:00 PM4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Section 21: Insurance status

Do you have insurance?
YesNo

Section 22: Consent, notices & policies

I acknowledge the consent, notices, and office policies provided.
I acknowledge
Signature
Your signature
✕
Printed name
Date signed
MM-DD-YYYY▦
Guardian signature (if under age 18)
Your signature
✕
Guardian printed name
Relationship to patient (if applicable)
Submit

An intake counseling form is the structured questionnaire that starts the counseling relationship: who the client is, why they are seeking counseling, what their history looks like, and their signed agreement to your policies. Done well, it turns the first session from data-gathering into actual counseling.

Use the builder above to assemble yours in minutes: pick a starting template, keep the sections you need, add your own questions, and download a print-ready PDF or send it digitally for e-signature.

Sections of a complete counseling intake form

  • Demographics and contact — name, date of birth, phone, email, and address
  • Reason for seeking counseling — the presenting concern, in the client’s own words
  • Counseling history — previous counseling, what helped, what did not
  • Health background — conditions, medications, and relevant history
  • Family and relationships — household, significant relationships, support network
  • Work, school, and stressors — current life context and pressures
  • Wellbeing screen — mood, sleep, appetite, with a brief safety check and crisis resources
  • Goals — what the client wants from counseling
  • Policies and consent — fees, cancellations, communication preferences, and signature

7 questions the best counseling intake forms ask

  • “What brings you to counseling now?” — the word now surfaces the trigger event
  • “Have you worked with a counselor before? What helped?” — reveals expectations and past fit
  • “What would a successful outcome look like for you?” — turns vague hopes into goals
  • “Who is in your corner?” — maps the support system in one question
  • “How have you been sleeping and eating?” — two functional signals that clients answer honestly
  • “Is there anything you want me to know but find hard to say aloud?” — forms collect what conversation misses
  • “How do you prefer to be contacted?” — practical, and shows respect from the first touch

From template to your intake counseling form

Start with the counseling intake template above, then make it yours: keep the sections that fit your practice, add questions specific to your modality, upload your logo, and set which answers are required. Deliver it as a printable PDF or send it digitally - clients complete and sign on their phone, and the finished intake lands in your inbox as an organized PDF.

Frequently asked questions

›What is an intake counseling form?

It is the questionnaire a new client completes before their first counseling session, covering contact details, the reason for seeking counseling, history, goals, and signed consent to your policies.

›How long should a counseling intake form be?

Long enough to cover history and consent, short enough that clients finish it - typically 15 to 25 questions across 6 to 9 sections. Conditional follow-ups keep it short for clients who do not need every question.

›Can I customize the counseling intake template?

Yes - every section and question. Add your own questions, create custom sections, rename anything, set required fields, and add your practice name and logo.

›Can the form be completed before the first session?

Yes. Send it as a link by email or text; the client completes and signs it at home and you read the finished intake before they arrive.

›Does it include consent and signature?

Yes. The consent section carries your policies, a typed or drawn signature, and an automatically dated signing line.

›Is there a printable version?

Yes. The same form downloads as a print-ready PDF (A4 or US Letter) for clients who prefer paper.

›What does it cost?

Building is free. A print-ready PDF or a one-time digital send is $14.99; plans from $19 per month cover unlimited clients.