About Us
Our Story
The First Consultation Guide was born in 2012 when our founder, Dr. Elena Martins, noticed a consistent pattern among her clients – overwhelming anxiety before their initial consultations. Having worked as a psychologist for over a decade, she recognized that this anxiety often prevented people from seeking the help they needed.
Starting with a small practice in central Lisbon, Dr. Martins developed a methodology specifically designed to eliminate the stress from first-time consultations. Her approach quickly gained recognition among colleagues, who began implementing her techniques in their own practices with remarkable results.
In 2015, we formalized our methodology and began training other professionals across various fields – from mental health to financial planning and career coaching. Today, our team of experts has helped over 5,000 professionals transform their consultation approach, making professional guidance more accessible to those who need it most.
Our Mission & Values
Our Mission
To transform the consultation experience by eliminating unnecessary stress and creating a framework that empowers both consultants and clients. We believe that everyone deserves access to professional guidance without anxiety barriers.
Our Vision
We envision a world where seeking professional help is a stress-free experience, where initial consultations are seen as opportunities rather than obstacles, and where structured guidance helps people take confident first steps toward their goals.
Our Values
Empathy at every interaction. Clarity in communication. Accessibility for all. Continuous innovation based on feedback. Respect for individual pace and needs. Environmental consciousness in our operations and workspace design.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Elena Martins
Founder & Lead Consultant
With over 15 years of experience in clinical psychology, Dr. Martins developed our core methodology after recognizing patterns of anxiety in first-time clients. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Lisbon and specializes in anxiety reduction techniques.
Miguel Oliveira
Client Experience Director
Miguel joined our team in 2016 after a decade in customer experience design. He oversees the development of all client-facing materials and systems, ensuring that every touchpoint reinforces our stress-free approach. His background in UX design brings a unique perspective to consultation preparation.
Sofia Chen
Training Specialist
Sofia leads our professional training programs, helping consultants across various fields implement our methodology. With a background in adult education and organizational psychology, she has designed a curriculum that makes our approach accessible to professionals in diverse disciplines.
Rafael Santos
Research Coordinator
Rafael oversees our ongoing research into effective consultation practices. His team collects and analyzes client feedback, identifies emerging needs, and helps us continuously refine our methodology. He holds a Master's in Behavioral Science and previously worked in academic research.
Our Achievements
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1
Award-Winning Methodology
Our consultation approach received the Portuguese Innovation in Professional Services Award in 2019, recognizing its effectiveness in reducing client anxiety by 78% on average.
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2
Extensive Training Network
We've trained over 500 professionals across Europe in our methodology, creating a network of certified practitioners who implement our stress-free approach.
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3
Research Publications
Our team has published 12 peer-reviewed articles on consultation psychology and client experience design in leading academic journals.
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4
Client Success Rate
98% of clients report feeling adequately prepared for their first consultation after using our guide, compared to the industry average of 37%.
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5
Eco-Friendly Operations
Our office has been certified carbon-neutral since 2018, reflecting our commitment to environmental sustainability in all aspects of our operation.
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6
Community Outreach
We provide pro bono consultation services to 200+ individuals from underserved communities annually through our community outreach program.
What Our Clients Say
"After putting off financial planning for years due to anxiety, your guide transformed my experience. The step-by-step preparation helped me feel in control, and my consultant commented on how prepared I was. I've now implemented a solid financial plan that's already showing results."
"As someone with social anxiety, consultations have always been overwhelming. Your methodology completely changed that experience. The preparation guide gave me exactly what I needed to feel confident, and the structured approach during the consultation itself kept me focused. I finally got the career guidance I needed."
"As a consultant myself, implementing your methodology has transformed my practice. My clients arrive more prepared, our sessions are more productive, and my client retention has increased by 40%. The step-by-step approach provides a framework that benefits both sides of the consultation relationship."
Ready to Experience Stress-Free Consultations?
Book your first consultation or inquire about our training programs for professionals.