A short phone call or the first session is a chance to interview the therapist, not only to be interviewed. NIMH calls rapport and trust essential and suggests a preliminary conversation to understand how treatment will go and whether you feel comfortable. The questions below go beyond the basics and focus on anxiety and depression. For general tips on choosing a psychologist, see How to Choose a Licensed Psychologist in Michigan.
You do not need to ask all of these. Pick three or four that matter most to you and write them down before the call; anxiety and low mood both make it easy to forget.
About their training and experience
- "What license do you hold, and how long have you been practicing?"
- "How much of your work is with adults dealing with anxiety or depression?"
- "Have you worked with people whose anxiety looks like mine, for example panic, health worries or constant worry?"
- "Is there anything about my situation that you would refer elsewhere?"
- "I tried therapy before and it did not help much. How might this be different?"
The American Psychological Association (APA) suggests asking a psychologist directly whether they are licensed and what experience they have helping people with problems like yours. You can confirm any Michigan license yourself; Psychologist, Psychiatrist or Counselor? explains the license types and how to look one up. A good answer to the last question is a sign of honesty, not weakness. No therapist is the right fit for every concern.
About their approach
- "How would you describe the way you work with anxiety or depression?"
- "What is the reasoning behind that approach, and what is known about how well it works?"
- "Will we focus mostly on the present, on the past, or both?"
- "Do you give suggestions or exercises between sessions?"
NIMH suggests asking what approach a therapist uses, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, and what its rationale and evidence base are. The answer should be clear enough that you can repeat it. For example, Dr. Lehmann describes her approach as insight-oriented and integrative: looking at personal history, family dynamics and current functioning together, alongside practical feedback and coping skills. If a therapist names a specific method, such as CBT, it is fair to ask what training they have in it. Types of Therapy for Anxiety and Depression, Explained gives you the vocabulary.
About goals and progress
- "What goals would make sense for someone in my situation?"
- "How often would we meet, and for roughly how long?"
- "How will we know whether this is helping?"
- "What happens if I am not improving after a while?"
These come straight from NIMH's list: ask about the goals of therapy, whether there is a time frame or number of sessions in mind, how progress will be assessed, and what happens if either of you feels you are not improving. NIMH's guide to finding help adds a simple one: how long do you expect treatment to last? A therapist cannot promise a timeline, but they should be able to describe how they think about one and when you would check in. How Long Does Therapy for Anxiety or Depression Take? covers what affects length.
About medication and your other care
- "Can you prescribe? If not, how do you work with prescribers?"
- "Will you talk with my doctor or psychiatrist if I give permission?"
- "Should I get a medical checkup first?"
NIMH suggests asking whether medication is an option and whether the therapist can prescribe. In Michigan, psychologists, counselors and social workers do not prescribe. Dr. Lehmann does not, and with your written permission she can coordinate with your physician or psychiatrist. If you take medication now, talk with your prescriber before changing anything.
About privacy, safety and between-session contact
- "What stays confidential, and what are the limits?"
- "How do I reach you between sessions, and how quickly do you reply?"
- "What should I do if I am in crisis at night or on a weekend?"
NIMH lists confidentiality and its limits among the questions to ask. Every therapist should explain these at the start. The answer to the crisis question matters for anxiety and depression in particular. Many private practices, including Dr. Lehmann's, do not offer after-hours crisis care, so a good therapist will tell you plainly to call or text 988 or call 911 in an emergency.
About practical details
- "What are your fees, and do you take my insurance?"
- "Do you offer reduced fees or a sliding scale?"
- "What is your cancellation policy?"
- "Do you offer telehealth, and what hours are available?"
The APA and NIMH both suggest asking about fees, insurance and sliding-scale options up front. For reference, Dr. Lehmann charges $220 per clinical hour private pay, is in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, offers reduced-fee spots on a limited basis, and sees adults during the day Monday through Thursday, in Franklin or by telehealth within Michigan.
Notice how the conversation feels
The APA notes that once credentials are established, your comfort with the psychologist is one of the most important factors in deciding whether to work together. Did they listen? Did they answer plainly, without jargon or defensiveness? Did you feel rushed? You will not know everything after one call, but it is worth trusting your sense of whether you could talk honestly with this person. More about Dr. Lehmann's work is on the anxiety therapy page.