A thoughtful conversation about your mental health.
Talk through what you are experiencing, ask questions about care, and explore options with a psychiatric care professional.
Space to understand. Room to ask.
Your experience and your questions help shape the conversation.
Start with your experience.
What has felt different? What has been hard to manage? What would you like support with? Your concerns and goals help guide the conversation.
Understand the options being discussed.
Care should leave room for clear explanations. Ask about the purpose of a recommendation, what it involves, and how it fits your priorities.
Make room for medication questions.
If medication is part of the discussion, bring your questions, past experiences, and concerns. Decisions about prescribing are made with the clinician after considering your individual situation.
Know what comes next.
Before the appointment ends, discuss the next step, any follow-up being recommended, and how to raise questions about your care.
You do not need to have all the answers.
A few notes about what you are experiencing can help you begin. Share what feels important and ask for clarification whenever you need it.
What brings you here
The concerns that are affecting you and what you would like help with.
What you hope to understand
Questions, past care experiences, and what you want to be different.
Where to go from here
Options to consider and the next step being recommended.
A few questions, answered.
A little clarity can make the next step feel easier.
Do I need to know what is wrong before reaching out?
No. You can begin by describing what you are experiencing and what you would like help with. You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis.
Will I receive a prescription at my first appointment?
A prescription is not guaranteed. Medication decisions are discussed with the clinician after your needs, history, and care options have been considered.
Begin with what has been on your mind.
You do not need the perfect words to ask for support.