Why ask the same questions of everyone
Providers in this field describe their services in very different words. Asking two or three providers the same short list of questions, and writing the answers down, turns those different descriptions into something you can compare. This guide is that list. It does not tell you which provider to choose; it gives you a fair way to decide for yourself.
About the format
- What exactly happens in a session or meeting, from start to finish?
- How many sessions or meetings do you usually propose, and how long is each one?
- Do you offer in-person, phone or video appointments, and is the fee the same for each?
- What do I get between sessions: calls, messages, recordings, worksheets?
- Is there a written plan, and do I keep a copy?
About the provider
- Where did you train, and for how long?
- How long have you been in practice?
- Do you focus on smoking and vaping, or do you work on many topics?
- Do you follow a written code of conduct, and can I read it?
- Who do I contact if I have a concern about a session?
About cost and terms
- What is the total cost for the arrangement you are proposing, including any materials, recordings or follow-up?
- Do I pay per session or as a package? When is payment due?
- What happens if I need to reschedule or cancel? Is any part refundable?
- Are there any charges that are not in the quoted price?
About privacy
- What do you keep on file about me, and for how long?
- If my employer is paying, what do you report to them?
- For groups: what do members agree about keeping each other's details private?
About how they describe their service
Listen to how a provider talks about what they offer. A clear provider describes a format: what happens, how often, for how long, at what price. Be cautious if a provider talks instead about promises, percentages, speed or what their sessions will do for you, or if they present a non-clinical service as healthcare. Nothing in this field is a substitute for your own doctor's advice, and a provider who suggests otherwise is telling you something worth noticing.
Comparing the answers
Put the answers side by side. Compare the total cost over the same period, the number of contacts, what you get between sessions and the refund terms. The lowest price per session is not always the lowest total. The provider who answered every question plainly and in writing is easy to hold to their word.
Before your first appointment
Ask the provider to confirm the date, time, place or video link, the price and the cancellation terms in writing. Make a short note of what you want to talk about. Bring a list of the times and places you usually smoke or vape; most providers ask about it.
Asking by phone, email or message
You can ask these questions however you first contact a provider. Email or a written message has one advantage: the answers arrive in writing, and you can lay them side by side later without relying on memory. If you call, keep the list in front of you and make a note of each answer and the date. A provider who is happy to put the same answers in an email afterwards is easy to compare with the others on your list.
The directory's part
StopSmokingPros lists providers with their name, town and contact details. It does not rate, rank or vouch for anyone. You ask the questions and you decide.