| Question area | What to write down |
|---|---|
| What brings us here? | Two everyday examples and the questions you want to explore. |
| Who provides the service? | Professional title, registration, role, supervision and who reviews progress. |
| What is the first step? | Appointment type, length, participants, fee, report and what happens afterward. |
| What should we prepare? | Useful documents, secure sharing method, accessibility needs and comfort items. |
| What happens next? | Named contact, follow-up method, confirmed versus requested status and timing. |
Begin with the situation, not a diagnosis
Choose one or two everyday examples you want help understanding: perhaps your child is hard to understand at preschool, avoids a dressing routine or finds transitions difficult. Ask which professional is best placed to discuss those situations. The person answering the phone should not be expected to diagnose a child from a short description.
Ask who would provide the service
Ask the professional title of the person who would assess or work with your child, whether they are regulated, and how you can verify their registration. If an assistant or interventionist may be involved, ask who supervises the work and how the supervising professional participates. A clinic name or therapy label does not establish an individual provider’s qualifications.
Clarify the first step
Ask whether the first visit is a consultation, screening, assessment or therapy appointment; how long it usually takes; who should attend; and when findings or recommendations would be discussed. Confirm what is included in the quoted fee and whether a report is separate. Do not assume that an initial call reserves an appointment.
Record the practical details
Write down the clinic location, accessibility needs, expected duration, current fees, cancellation terms and the clinic’s stated availability. Ask which information is useful beforehand and how to send it securely. Keep your child’s health history and reports out of public website chat or an ordinary marketing form.
End with one clear next step
Before ending the call, repeat back what will happen next: who will contact whom, which information will be shared, whether a date is being offered or only reviewed, and how to ask another question. If the clinic is not the right fit, ask what type of service or regulated professional may be a better starting point without treating that suggestion as a diagnosis.
Helpful next steps
- Compare therapy service starting points
- Ask about the treating professional
- Prepare fee and funding questions
About this guide
General parent information prepared by Clover Creek Therapy. It is not a clinical assessment or an individual treatment recommendation. No named clinical review is claimed.
Sources reviewed October 1, 2026: