Checklist
Questions to ask a therapist or doctor
Many people freeze in a first appointment and remember the important question on the drive home. This list is here so you can tick the questions that matter to you, print the page and bring it. You do not need to ask them all. Pick the handful that fit.
Your ticks are saved only in this browser, on this device. Nothing is sent anywhere. Use "Clear ticks" on a shared computer.
How to use this list
Tick the questions you want answered, then print the page and write the answers next to them. If something is unclear, it is fine to ask the same question again in different words. A good professional expects questions, and a first appointment is as much about whether the fit feels right for you as it is about them assessing you.
It is also fine to say you are nervous. Saying so often helps the person across from you slow down.
What this list cannot do
It does not diagnose anything, and it cannot say what care you need. It also cannot tell you which answers are right. If an answer worries you, you can seek a second opinion. For safety, if you are thinking about harming yourself, do not wait for an appointment: call or text 988 in the US or contact local emergency services.
Related pages
- How to find care checklist, for the step before you have anyone to ask
- Mood and energy diary, for notes to bring along
- Guide to getting support
- How do you know if therapy could help?
- What do you do when you know you need help but keep putting it off?
Where this comes from
The topics follow the National Institute of Mental Health's general guidance on finding help, which suggests preparing a list of questions about the provider's experience with your concern, their approach, how long treatment may take, and insurance and cost. The privacy and out-of-hours questions are common-sense additions. This is general information, not medical advice.