Suggestions for choosing a provider
- Contact a few providers or centers to locate one or more currently available for new clients.
- Tell prospective providers or centers that you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran. Share a brief explanation of the experiences and issues affecting you. If you are contacting more than one provider or center, it can be helpful to make a few notes about how you felt when speaking with them.
- In your initial call or first visit, ask prospective providers or centers about their expertise working with the specific issues that are affecting you. Providers may not be familiar with the military culture, but they must demonstrate a willingness to understand your culture and experience.
- Centers with more than one provider will commonly assign you a provider early in treatment. Make sure that the center knows you have been having problems related to combat before you are assigned a provider.
- You may feel comfortable with a provider or center during your initial call and ask to make an appointment. If you want some time to consider your choice, you can tell a provider or center that you want to think it over before you schedule a session.
- If, after you have had several sessions, you don't believe that you are benefiting from treatment, discuss your concerns with your provider. If you are still not satisfied with your treatment, remember that there are other providers out there, perhaps even in the same center. Sometimes it takes time and persistence to find what is right for you, but in the end it will be worth it.
Questions to Ask a Potential Helping Professional
A phone conversation or initial meeting can help assess whether a provider may be a good fit for you and address your specific needs. As a customer of a professional service, it is important to ask as many questions as needed to make an informed choice. Helping professionals should be open and willing to answer your questions.
The following are some possible questions to consider:
- What kind of credentials and/or license do you have?
- How long have you been practicing?
- Do you have any special training or certifications?
- What types of insurance or other payment do you accept? (If you are using insurance, be sure to check with your insurance company to make sure a particular provider is covered and to determine if there are any restrictions.)
- How often do you generally meet with clients, and how long does treatment usually last?
- What is your clinical/theoretical approach?
- What happens in a typical session?
- Do you have experience with my particular problem or issue?
- Do you have any experience working with service members or their families?
If you are not comfortable asking questions over the phone, ask the provider if they have a brochure or other printed information they can send you. You might also ask if they are willing to meet with you in person for an interview or introductory session. If so, find out if there is a cost for this initial meeting.
A provider's description of their approach and philosophy should be understandable and make sense to you.
It is very important to pay careful attention to how you feel when interacting with a potential helping professional and "trust your gut" about whether you think an individual provider will be a good fit for you.
If You Call:
- Be prepared to describe your concerns and have your questions ready
- Have your insurance information at hand if you have coverage
- If you do not have insurance, or if you are choosing not to use your insurance, be aware that many providers have a sliding fee based on income, so it is important to inquire about fees.
- Be sure to explain your circumstances as a Veteran or service member.
- They may ask you some questions over the phone; and/ or may ask you to set up an appointment
- They may provide you with a different referral number
- Ask if they can provide you with other local services in your area
- Ask any questions you need in order to feel comfortable with beginning treatment.