Finding help: Important issues for clients to consider Before one enters a therapeutic relationship with a therapist, some information should be obtained and considered. Answers concerning type of therapy, location, cost or specialty will differ with each therapist. Clients have a right to have questions answered before they decide to enter the therapeutic relationship and "buy" a professional service. In other words, "consent" to enter therapy should be "informed." Some of the answers to the following questions may be found on each provider's web page.  We cannot answer these questions for the providers, as answers will differ with each individual therapist/patient relationship. You may wish to have all the information at once, or not all of it. Here are some of the important questions you should consider asking a therapist: * What are your credentials? How long have you been a therapist? * How will therapy be conducted? How long would it take? * How will therapy online differ from in-person therapy? * What are my chances of getting better or worse? What are the risks of therapy? * Are there alternative methods or treatments that may be helpful to me? * What happens if there is an emergency? Will you be available? If not, what should I do? * What happens if you are away or on vacation and I need help? * Do you keep records? Who gets to see records and how? * Is all information given to you kept confidential? What are the limits of confidentiality? * What are the fees for therapy? Will these be covered by my insurance? * Where do clients go with questions or complaints about therapy? Getting started: Age requirement In most cases, clients must be at least 18 years old to independently obtain professional services from a therapist. Minors are welcome to use all the free resources, but need to invite their parents (or legal guardians) to examine and approve service by a licensed counselor for them. In life threatening and/or emergency situations, minors can contact a professional for initial guidance and referral without charge.While some therapists accept calls without charge for initial consultation or referral, on-going professional counseling usually requires a fee. Get details from your selected professional. If you are a parent seeking online therapy or another form of consultation for a child or adolescent, please forward the selected therapist a signed informed consent form, so that services can be legally provided to your child. Emergency? Get instructions. Child abuse? Report Child Abuse.