How to Interview a Therapist or Doctor

Find a Therapist and/or Doctor that Best Serves Your Needs!

You have the right to choose the providers that best meet your specific needs. You will be sharing personal information with the provider you choose; because of this, you want to be as certain as possible that this provider values who you are and values your needs. On this page you will find general questions that should be asked of all providers before you even step foot in their office door. These questions are separated by mental health and medical health providers, but many of these questions can be used for both. It’s also important to point out that not all of these questions will apply to you or your needs, so please look through them carefully to pick out the best questions for you, and you may want to prepare some of your own as well.

General/Practical Questions:

  • Where are you located? Are you close to a bus line?
  • Do I need to tell my parents/guardians and/or have their permission to see you?
  • What do I need to do to prepare for my first appointment with you?
  • How much time should I expect to be in your office?
  • What is your confidentiality policy? For what reasons would you have to talk to my parents/guardians?
  • How do I pay for my appointment? Do you have payment plan options? (See example payment plan options below)
  • What insurance do you take?
  • Can I see you if I do not have insurance?

Different payment plan options can include:

Sliding Scale: The provider may ask how much money you or your guardians make. They may adjust their fee to match what you are able to pay.

Insurance: You may be covered under your parents/guardians insurance policy or you may have Medicaid from the state. If this is the case, insurance and/or Medicaid may help in paying a portion of your bill.

Reduced Fee: You may be able to work with some providers to arrange a more affordable fee.
Deferred Payment: The provider may allow you to pay your fee later or break up payments over a period of time.

Specific Questions for Mental Health Providers:

  • What type of therapy do you provide?
    • Each mental health provider uses different styles of therapy. Some prefer a talk-approach where patients talk and therapists listen. Others also like to give homework, do case coordination with other providers and/or provide suggestions for changes in behavior. You will want to find a provider that uses the best combination of approaches for you.
  • Can you or someone in your office prescribe psychotropic medications, if needed?
  • Do you have a cancellation policy for appointments?
    • Some therapists charge for missed appointments or cancellations within a certain period of time. If you have inconsistent transportation or other issues that might affect your ability to keep appointments, this will be important information.
  • Are you licensed by the state?

Specific Questions for Medical Health Providers:

  • Do I need a referral from another doctor to see you?
  • Do I need previous medical records before I can schedule my first appointment?
  • What, if anything, do you specialize in?
  • Are you licensed by the state?
  • Do you have a cancellation policy for appointments?

Interviewing the Provider about LGBTQQ Issues:

  • Do you have current information and resources about the issues that impact LGBTQQ youth?
  • Have you recently attended any workshops or trainings about the issues that impact LGBTQQ youth?
  • Do you currently have any self-identified LGBTQQ youth on your caseload or as patients?
  • What’s your past experience working with LGBTQQ youth?
  • What do you do to let LGBTQQ young people know that you are a safe adult?
  • What is your confidentiality policy for youth that come out to you about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity?

It is very common to not reach a provider on the first time, which will require you to leave them a message. It is very important that you speak slowly and clearly, even though you may have some anxiety over leaving a message. Here is the vital information that should be left for the provider:

  1. State your name and telephone number at which they can reach you.
  2. Let them know why you are calling (i.e., needing to see a therapist or doctor)
  3. Briefly state the best times to reach you.

Once contact with the therapist or doctor is made, the following should happen:

  1. The therapist and/or doctor should identify themselves.
  2. The therapist and/or doctor should let you know what times they have available for an appointment.
  3. The therapist and/or doctor should give you directions to their office.