5 Things to Have Ready Before Scheduling Your First Therapy Appointment

By: Gina Romero, LICSW, LCSW and Paisley Vordermark, Practice Manager

So you've decided to reach out for therapy. That took courage, and we don't want anything logistical to get in the way of you making it to your first appointment. 

One of the most common reasons prospective clients stall after deciding to start therapy isn't ambivalence. It's overwhelm from the administrative details. They go to make the call and realize they don't know their insurance information, or they're not sure what their schedule looks like, or they just freeze up and close the tab. We've seen it happen, and we want to help you avoid it.

Before you pick up the phone or fill out a contact form, here are five things to have in order. This will help the process move faster and feel less overwhelming.

Making that first call is the hardest part. Here's how to make everything after it a little easier. 

1. Your Insurance Information

If you're planning to use insurance to cover therapy, having your card ready before you call will save you a lot of back and forth. Ideally, pull out the physical card or screenshot the digital version so you have it in front of you.

When you call a practice, they'll typically need:

• The name of your insurance provider (Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, United, Tricare, etc.)

• Your member ID number

• The group number (usually on the front of the card)

• The full name and DOB of the primary insurance holder, if the plan isn't in your name

If you're not sure whether your insurance covers mental health services or whether a specific practice is in-network, it's completely okay to ask when you call. A good intake team will help you figure it out or point you toward how to find out.

At Wandering Pine Wellness, we currently accept Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield (including out-of-state Blue plans), Tricare, and United Healthcare. We accept commercial plans only. If your card shows Medicaid, Medicare, or Sierra Health and Life, we won't be able to bill through insurance, but we're happy to talk through your options when you reach out.

2. A General Sense of Your Schedule

Having a rough idea of your availability for the next one to three weeks will help you get scheduled faster and avoid the back-and-forth of "let me check and call you back." 

Things to consider:

• Do you want to see your provider in person or virtually?

• What days of the week generally work for you?

• Do you prefer mornings, afternoons, or evenings?

• Are there any recurring commitments (work shifts, school pickup, meetings) that would make certain times consistently difficult?

• Do you frequently travel out of state for work?

  • This is a very important point, because licensing restrictions prevent your therapist from seeing you if you’re physically in a state where they’re not licensed

  • If this is the case for you, it may be best to work with a psychologist who’s licensed via PSYPACT

If your schedule is irregular or shifts change week to week, just mention that when you call. Practices that work with shift workers, parents, and people with non-traditional hours are used to finding creative solutions. 

3. A Sense of What You're Looking For 

Having a general idea of what you’re hoping to work on, or what type of therapist you want to see is very helpful. We recommend that you consider the following:

• What’s bringing you to therapy? Did a friend or family member encourage you to reach out? Have you been more anxious than usual? Did you recently experience a traumatic event? Are you adjusting to a new situation or phase of life, such as a cross-country move, divorce, or parenthood? You can say anything from “I think I might have ADHD and want to figure out what’s going on” to “I just became a dad, and I should feel happy, but I just feel anxious all the time.” 

• Are you looking for a specific modality? Many clients have no preference on modality and that’s totally an okay place to be! Other clients really want to work with an EMDR therapist, and some specifically want a couples therapist trained in Gottman Method. 

4. Scheduling a Therapy Appointment for a Minor 

Scheduling a consent for treatment varies by state. In the state of WA, anyone age 13+ can consent to their own treatment, and parent/guardian signatures aren’t needed. In NV, both parents must legally consent to treatment for anyone under the age of 18. Exceptions (NV): there is legal documentation (custody agreements, court decrees, etc.) stating that one parent makes all medical decisions. 

What we'll need from you:

• Both parents' or guardians' full legal names

• Email addresses for each

• Phone numbers for each

• Any relevant information about custody arrangements, if applicable (you don't need legal documents on the first call, but it helps to know the situation upfront)

Having this information ready prevents delays in getting your child started, especially when consent forms need to be sent to and signed by multiple parties before the first appointment can be confirmed. 

5. Your Questions 

I want to start by saying that there is no pressure to ask anything at all, but we do want to ensure you have the space to ask any questions that you may have. It’s easy to forget on the phone, especially after we start asking you questions. 

No question is too small! Here are some questions we get asked often:

• How long are sessions?

• How much do sessions cost?

• Can I bring my wife to sessions?

• Do you offer virtual sessions?

• What should I expect during the first session?

• What if I try a couple of sessions and it doesn’t feel like a good match?

A few things worth knowing:

• You don't have to have a crisis to start therapy. A lot of people wait until things feel unbearable. You're allowed to start before it gets there.

• The first session won’t feel like an interrogation. It's a conversation. Your therapist will ask questions to get to know you and understand what you're dealing with, but you get to set the pace.

• You can change therapists. If you start with someone and the fit isn't right, that;s okay! A good practice will help you find someone who works better for you, and will provide outside referrals if no one on their team can support you. 

• Telehealth is a great option. If getting to an office feels like a barrier, ask about virtual sessions. Many people find that telehealth is just as effective as in-person therapy, and significantly easier to fit into a real life.

Ready to get started?

If you’re in Las Vegas (or anywhere in NV), we’d love to support you!

The best way to get in touch with us is to request an appointment via the contact form on this page:https://www.wanderingpinewellness.com/contact-us  

The form is HIPAA-compliant. 

Wandering Pine Wellness is a group therapy practice based in Las Vegas, NV, offering therapy and to adults and teens in Nevada. ADHD testing is also offered for adults in Las Vegas. We accept Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, Tricare, and United Healthcare.