So — you’ve done the hard work of finding a therapist or mental health clinic. You have their phone number ready to go, and suddenly you panic.
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What should I say? Will they take me seriously? What kind of questions will they ask me? How do I actually make a therapy appointment?
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We’ve written a brief script that you can use when contacting a mental health clinic to schedule your first therapy appointment. Our guide includes common questions you may be asked, questions you should ask, and tips to help you confidently get the services you need.
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It won’t cover every scenario, but we hope it gives you a good starting point for what to say when you’re seeking therapy services for yourself or a loved one.

How to make your first therapy appointment

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Start brief

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“Hi, I’m calling to schedule a therapy appointment. I have been feeling [EMOTION; e.g., sad, anxious] or struggling with [BEHAVIOR; e.g., drinking, arguing] lately and am hoping I can talk to someone about it.”

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It’s common to want to explain everything that’s leading you to therapy. But the first person who answers the phone may simply route you to a scheduler or the therapist. Keeping your initial conversation brief helps you connect faster to the right person.
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Prepare your answers

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Once you’re connected to a scheduler or intake staff member, they’ll likely ask you for:
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• Identifying Information: Your name, age, address, and basic contact details.
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• Symptoms: What mental health symptoms you’ve been experiencing and for how long. This helps match you with the right therapist or treatment.
  • Tip: Only share what you feel comfortable with. There will be plenty of time to discuss details during your sessions.
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• Insurance Information: What type of insurance you have (or if you have insurance at all).
  • Tip: Have your insurance card ready—they may ask for your member ID or plan details.
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• Availability: Your preferred days and times for appointments.
  • Tip: Offering flexible availability can help you secure an appointment faster.

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Prepare your questions

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You’ll want to make sure that your questions get answered, too. We recommend that you ask:

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“Do you take my insurance? If so, how much is the co-pay (out of pocket) per session?”

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• Tip: Not all clinics will know this information right away. They may need to call your insurance company first or they may ask you to call them yourself. Co-pays are due in each appointment, so you’ll want to budget for it.

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‍“If my insurance isn’t accepted, how much will each therapy session cost?”

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• Tip: Therapy can cost on average anywhere between $100 to $200, but can vary depending on many factors (e.g., where you live, the therapist’s credentials). Some clinics offer a sliding scale for people with lower incomes. If you’re struggling financially, it never hurts to ask! For more tips on how to make therapy affordable, check out our Therapy Financial Aid 101 guide.

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‍“Do you offer the type of treatment I am looking for? Do you have therapists who specialize in what I’m struggling with?”

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• Tip: Based on your symptoms, you may want to request a specific type of therapy. For example, if you experienced trauma and are hoping to process it with a therapist, you may want to request “trauma-informed” therapy. If you’re hoping to attend therapy with a group of people who have similar experiences, you may want to request “group therapy.”

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‍“Do you offer virtual or in person appointments?”

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• Tip: Some clinics only offer therapy in person and others only offer therapy virtually. Others offer both. Ask the clinic what they offer and let them know your preference.

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Patience and flexibility can help

Sometimes, even after making the call, you may be placed on a waitlist.
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If that happens, ask:
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• “How long is the typical wait?”
• “Can I call back to check for cancellations?”
• “Do you have referrals to other clinics or therapists I could contact in the meantime?”
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Tip: Most schedulers have a list of referrals that they can share with people who were put on their waitlist. You can also explore Healwise’s platform of free and low cost mental health supports to find other therapy options near you. When conducting an advanced search, you can tailor results to your unique needs such as the language therapy is provided in, financial aid options, and specialized services for your identity or background.
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Our final advice is to not give up! Since the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for therapy has been higher than ever. It may help to ask a friend or family member support your effort to schedule an appointment with a therapist. Your persistence will pay off!

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