How to Find a Clinic

Whether or not you want to go to a clinic to get condoms, birth control, Plan B, tested for STD'S, pregnancy tested, receive information on sex education or sexuality, abortion services, or for any other health care services, it should all be easy. Plus, because you're a teen, you'll hopefully be able to get services at low or no cost. Sometimes, especially for teens, people are scared or embarrassed to go to a clinic because they think they will be judged for being there, or that someone they know will find out they were there. It's totally valid to be nervous to go to a clinic for the first time, but as long as you are healthy and happy about your body, and you're taking the necessary steps and showing responsibility to fulfill your body's needs, it doesn't matter what other people think about you. Some people don't go into clinics because they don't know how to find one. Finding a clinic for you isn't only easy, but beneficial because if you ever needed health services and you were without internet access or a phonebook, you would already know where to go!

There are many different ways that you can find a clinic. A great way is to use the "find a clinic" tab at www.teensource.org – it's to the left of the home page. All you have to do is type in your area code or city, and different clinic locations nearest you will "magically" pop up. It's like, BAM! Opportunity. I know that when I needed to find a clinic fast, this tool on Teensource helped out a lot. Another way you can find a clinic is to search keywords in like "health clinic" or "planned parenthood," followed by your area code on a search engine like Yahoo or Google. You could also look for health clinics in phone books, or you can even talk to a trusted friend or adult about where to go. Does your school have a health center? Check it out. Even if you don't want to get your services from your school, I'm sure the nurse or person/people in charge there would be happy to answer any of your questions about where to locate and access anything that you need. So now you have your clinic, but you're scared to go by yourself. You don't want the parents to find out but you have no other ride. Try asking one of your friend's parents to take you. Explain to them that you don't want your parents to know, and you're coming to them in confidentiality because you feel like they are an adult you can trust. If they question you, tell them that you are just trying to show responsibility and want to make sure that you're healthy and safe.

Once you're at the clinic, it'll probably remind you somewhat of a doctor's office. If you haven't already called and made an appointment, then you would get in line and talk to the receptionist about why you are there. You may have to fill out some paperwork about yourself, but always remember, it's the law in California (look this up for your state) that no matter what age you are, everything is confidential. That means that no one can say that you were there and why you were there. It's nobody's business but your own. The only reason you would need to fill out paperwork is for the clinics own records. After you are called in, you'll be taken into a room to discuss with a doctor what you need, and figure out the best options for you. Before the appointment is over, you'll most likely receive some pamphlets about the topics you discussed with the doctor, and sent on your way. It really is THAT easy.