What Questions to Ask During a Speech Therapist Interview?

When you need the help of a speech therapist, you should consider several factors when deciding if the therapist you are interviewing is the right one for you. From his experience to his methods and how much he charges, knowing as much about the speech therapist as you can will help you make an informed decision.

Education

• Finding out what education the speech therapist has will help you decide whether she is the therapist for you. Ask the therapist what schools she attended, what school she got her degree from, what degree(s) she has and how long ago she attended college or university (if it is important to you that she has been educated on the latest techniques). Outside of her university degree, ask what other training, if any, she has had and what ongoing training she is undertaking.

Experience

• A common question for potential clients to ask speech therapists is about how much experience they've had. Some people prefer a therapist who brings freshness to his work; others prefer a therapist with years of experience. You can also ask what age group he usually works with, his success rate, what speech impediments he has experience dealing with and how many clients he has had since he started his therapy career.

Speech Assessment for Treatment

• Another important factor to consider about potential speech therapists is how they assess and diagnose their patients' issues. The assessment will help determine the route you take for treatment -- individual therapy with a speech pathologist or group therapy. Some people are more comfortable in a group setting that doesn't feel like structured therapy; others need the focused attention a one-on-one session will provide. A proper assessment and diagnosis determine which direction your therapy should take for the greatest chance of success.

Training Method

• Therapists use different methods to treat speech impediments. No matter what speech issue you need help with, a number of treatment methods are available to the therapist. Ask your potential speech therapist how he will help with your problem. Will it be intensive eight-hour sessions with a computer or once-a-week or one-hour appointments with no aids? Will he use devices such as audio and video recorders? Will special instruments be used? What will the homework entail, if applicable?

Scheduling and Billing

• Ask about the therapist's office particulars. Find out what hours the therapist is available for appointments, how much she charges for a session, what payment options the office accepts, what its cancellation policy is, whether it accepts your type of health insurance, how it files insurance claims, and other office policies that pertain to you. Double-check that the therapist's availability will mesh with your schedule.