You need to understand the conversation and express yourself for therapy to be useful. If language, hearing, vision, mobility or the pace of a meeting makes this difficult, you can explain that when you first contact the service.
You might ask for written explanations, more time or information about access to the building. The professional should discuss what they can offer and any alternatives.
If an interpreter is needed, ask how privacy is protected. A relative may be helpful, but their presence can make some subjects harder to discuss. You can ask about another arrangement.
Online sessions
Online care can make help easier to reach, but still needs clear arrangements. Confirm the professional's identity, the platform and what happens if the connection fails.
Discuss whether you have somewhere private to speak. If you do not, explain the difficulty; it may not be something you can solve alone.
If either of you is in another country
Online sessions do not remove questions about permission to practise, insurance or emergency care. Nationality and a shared language do not settle them. Your location and the professional's place of work matter.
Permission to provide care: The psychologist should check the rules relevant to the countries involved and whether they may provide this particular service. A licence in one country should not be assumed to authorise every online arrangement abroad. Ask about their registration and which authority can confirm the arrangement. Requirements vary; there is no single rule for every pair of countries.
Protection if harm occurs: Ask whether their professional liability insurance, or equivalent protection, covers this particular online and cross-border care. This concerns protection if a professional service causes harm. It is separate from whether GeSY or your own health insurance pays for appointments. Payment cover needs its own confirmation.
Urgent help where you are: Before starting, agree on an emergency plan. The psychologist should know your location during the session, how to reach you if the connection fails and how appropriate local help can be contacted. Discuss whether an emergency contact person is needed and when they may be contacted. Remaining on a video call does not, by itself, ensure that help can reach you.
You should also know where to raise a complaint and what nearby care is available. Checking and explaining the arrangements is the professional's responsibility; you should not have to resolve differences between legal systems.
If you travel or move, tell the psychologist before the next appointment. Permission, insurance and the emergency plan may need to be checked again.