The Screening

This subject can be found in the: Volunteer Therapists Guide
Last updated: August 17, 2026 at 13:03

Purpose of the Screening

The purpose of the screening is to determine whether the person meets the eligibility criteria, both clinically - whether they can benefit from a brief psychotherapeutic intervention - and socially, considering situations of vulnerability that justify access to this free service.

Importance of Explaining

Many people come to Iguality referred by other organisations and often do not understand what we do or what therapy is. Keep this in mind and ensure to introduce Iguality and the support we offer, including the therapeutic process.

Align Expectations

It is important to align expectations by explaining:

  • This is an initial interview only.
  • The case will be reviewed by a team afterward.
  • They will be contacted later to inform whether their case can be accepted.
  • Please avoid making promises or raising expectations.
  • This process can take some weeks.

Goals of the Screening Interview

The screening aims to:

  • Confirm the person seeks psychological or emotional support (e.g., anxiety, low mood, grief) rather than primarily medical, legal, or social assistance.
  • Identify any immediate safety risks or acute crises requiring urgent referral.
  • Assess if substance use or untreated severe mental health symptoms might interfere with therapy.
  • Ensure willingness and ability to engage in brief therapy (7-15 sessions) with weekly attendance, and understanding that care is provided by a supervised volunteer therapist.
  • Verify the person is not currently in active psychological treatment elsewhere and is in a vulnerable situation with limited resources.
  • Confirm they are not seeking therapy for secondary benefits and have the necessary availability and conditions (including private space and technology for online sessions).

Reaching Out to the Patient

Contact details will be available once you are assigned a screening.
When reaching out:

  • It is best to use WhatsApp; if unavailable, SMS or email are alternatives.
  • Always include a brief introduction to Iguality and yourself.
  • Propose a call or video call to conduct the screening interview.

Template Message

Hi [Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I'm a volunteer therapist with Iguality (www.iguality.org). We have received your support request, and I'm reaching out to schedule a short introductory call to get to know you and understand if and how we can best support you.
The call will take about 30 to 45 minutes, and it can be either by phone or video - whichever you prefer.
Please let me know what time works best for you.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Best regards,

The Screening

Some important instructions:

  • We recommend copying/pasting these questions into a separate document, and later using this form to fill in the answers.
  • In the Volunteer Therapist Platform you can find the details the user has already shared with us in the application form.
  • The screening usually lasts between 30 and 45 minutes.

What is their main motive to seek help? *

  • Why are they seeking therapy?
  • What do they expect from therapy?
  • Do they have any specific symptoms?

What is the background (antecedentes) of the patient? *

  • Have they received therapy before and if so, what kind?
  • Have they seen a psychiatrist or been diagnosed before, etc.?
  • Are they seeing someone now?

What is the current situation of the patient? *

  • Where do they live (city as well)?
  • What is their living situation, who do they live with?
  • Do they have a support network nearby, who?
  • What is their family situation?

Which issues/challenges did you detect? *

  • Are there clear signs of any disorder?
  • Is there a clear sign of depression, suicidal thoughts, etc.?
  • Risk behaviours?

What is the patient's financial situation? *

  • Do they have stable work?
  • Can the user afford therapy?
  • Do they expect to be able to pay for therapy soon?
  • Do they have financial support from family?

Are there any specific preferences for the therapy? *

  • Do they prefer a woman/man?
  • Do they prefer in-person or online sessions?
  • Which languages do they feel comfortable with?

Explain that we cannot guarantee, but we take it into account if possible.

What is their availability? *

  • What days and times do they usually have available to attend sessions?
  • Any specific days or periods they won't be able to attend?

Motivation & Dedication

The last question below is crucial: we need to make sure the person is fully committed to (bi)weekly sessions and can attend consistently. Therefore, please kindly explain clearly what a therapeutic process involves.

It is important that they understand they are committing to an ongoing process, not a one-time service or a temporary solution. Explain that if they do not show this commitment and repeatedly miss sessions, the process may be interrupted.

How motivated and committed would the patient be for therapy? *

  • Are they committed to receiving therapy (at least one session per week)?
  • Are they motivated to change?
  • Do they understand what therapy is?
  • Will they have availability to do it in person or, if online, do they have internet, a phone, or laptop to attend the session, and a private space?

Additional Support

We can potentially offer some additional services:

  • 3 free physiotherapy sessions (for instance for back pain)
  • 1 advisory talk to a volunteer migration lawyer (just to receive general advice)
  • Free weekly football sessions (Tuesdays at 19:15)
  • 3 free sessions of Health Coaching (on physical challenges)

Please note that we cannot guarantee these services, partly due to availability, but also because it depends on whether the person is eligible for our support in general. Please be mindful of this when setting expectations.

Do you think this may apply to this person (additional support)? *
You can ask it directly, or base it on the details the person shared.

Additional questions

  • In your opinion, does this person's clinical needs align with our program's criteria and support capabilities? *
  • In your opinion, does this person appear to be at risk of social exclusion or vulnerability? *
  • Could you explain your above choices, and any suggestions you may have for this case? *
  • What is the minimum level of psychologist you would recommend for this patient? *

Do you have anything else to add?
Attitude, context, doubts...