Provider Interview Checklist: Questions to Ask Before Committing to a Therapist

Before You Commit, Ask These Questions

You've done the hard work of finding a provider who is accepting new patients, takes your insurance, and has an opening within the next few months. It feels like a win just getting to this point—and it is. But the fit between your child and their therapist matters as much as the credentials on the wall. The wrong fit can mean months of frustration, a child who starts to resist going, and time you can't get back.

This checklist is for that phone or in-person consultation before you commit. Not every provider will offer a free consultation, but most will answer these questions before scheduling an intake. If a provider seems annoyed by reasonable questions, that itself is useful information.

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Before the Call: What to Gather

Know your child's diagnosis and the date it was given, the primary goals you are hoping therapy will address, your insurance information and any prior authorization requirements, and your availability for scheduling. Having this in front of you before the call keeps it short and productive.

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Questions About Experience and Approach

Ask directly: How much of your current caseload involves children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? A therapist can be fully licensed and genuinely skilled while still having limited experience with your child's specific profile. Experience density matters.

Ask: What approach or framework do you use most often with children this age? You are not looking for a specific answer—you are listening for whether they can explain their approach clearly and whether it resonates with what you know about your child. A good therapist can describe their methods in plain language.

Ask: How do you typically involve parents in sessions? Some therapy models rely heavily on parent coaching; others focus on direct child work. Neither is wrong, but knowing which model you are walking into helps you show up prepared.

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Questions About Goals and Progress

Ask: How do you set goals, and how will I know if my child is making progress? This question reveals a lot. A strong answer will mention baseline assessments, measurable objectives, and a regular review process. A vague answer—"we'll just see how it goes"—is worth noting.

Ask: How often do you reassess whether the current approach is working? Therapy is not a fixed protocol. Good therapists adjust. If a child is not responding well after a reasonable period, the right provider will say so and adapt rather than continuing indefinitely with the same plan.

Ask: What does a lack of progress look like to you, and what would you do about it? This question is harder to ask, but the answer tells you whether the therapist sees themselves as accountable for outcomes.

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Questions About Communication

Ask: How do you communicate with parents between sessions—email, a portal, phone? How quickly do you typically respond? You will have questions. You will notice things at home that feel relevant. A provider who communicates well makes the whole process less isolating.

Ask: Will you coordinate with my child's other providers or school if I request it? A care team works better when it actually communicates. Not every provider will do this proactively, but a willingness to coordinate when asked is a reasonable baseline expectation.

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Questions About Practical Logistics

Ask: What is your cancellation policy? Many providers charge for late cancellations—knowing this upfront prevents billing surprises.

Ask: If you are unavailable—vacation, illness—how is coverage handled? Continuity matters, especially for children who build routines around their therapy schedule.

Ask: Do you have a waitlist for current patients if we need to pause and return? Life happens. Knowing whether you can hold a spot or return to the queue is worth asking before you need the answer.

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What to Pay Attention to Beyond the Answers

Notice whether the provider asks about your child during the consultation—not just your goals, but your child as a person. A therapist who is curious about who your child is before the first session is a good sign. Notice how they talk about families: as partners, or as bystanders. Notice whether they seem rushed or whether they make space for your questions.

You will not know everything from a phone call. A first session often tells you more. But these questions help you walk in with your eyes open.

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Your Next Step

Use the What's Next Health provider directory to keep notes on each provider you contact—questions asked, answers given, and your gut read after each conversation. For more on evaluating specific therapy types, see our guides on how to find an occupational therapist and how to find a speech-language pathologist. If you're unsure whether the fit is right after starting, our guide on therapist red flags walks through what to watch for.