“Get counseling” is every advice columnist’s go-to line — but it’s a lot easier said than done. Today, we offer some tips on how to find a therapist — and how to afford one.
Especially if you’re already feeling bad, finding someone to help you can seem like an insurmountable challenge. And America’s healthcare situation doesn’t make it any easier. But if you know where to look, there are many options available, even if you’re uninsured. Here are some tips to help you navigate the system:
If you have health insurance, start by looking at your insurance company’s website.
First of all, this will tell you if you need to call up and get pre-authorized for therapy. Don’t let this freak you out or discourage you — yes, it can be a hassle, but it’s often a simple phone call. And making it will insure that your visits are actually paid for. You should also check to see how many visits per year your insurance allows, as many companies impose limits.
Next, your insurance company’s website can help you find a shrink in your area. Many have a function that allows you to search for providers within your insurance network, and some will allow you to narrow your search by gender, specialty, or qualifications. PsychCentral has a helpful rundown of the different kinds of mental health professionals that may be listed on these sites. It can be helpful to know what all the letters after these people’s names mean, but remember that the impressiveness of someone’s degree doesn’t necessarily correlate with how well they’ll be able to help you.
Once you find one or more therapists who might be a match for you, it can be a good idea to Google them. Online reviews of therapists are a hotly contested area, and I wouldn’t necessarily suggest putting too much stock in them — but insurance websites aren’t always up-to-date, and you want to make sure the providers are still practicing in your area. Also, some therapists will have websites that mention their approaches and areas of specialization. PsychCentral also lists (some of) the different therapeutic approaches — understanding the difference between, say, cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy can help you find the therapist that’s right for you. If the therapists you’re interested in don’t have websites, it’s fine to call them up and ask them a little about themselves — as long as they’re taking new patients, they’ll usually be willing to answer basic questions over the phone.
Ask a doctor or friend for a referral.
If you’re not finding what you’re looking for on your company’s website, but you have a doctor you trust, you can ask him or her for a referral to a mental health professional. Some doctors’ offices keep referral lists for this kind of situation, though as with insurance company websites, you’ll need to check and make sure the info is up-to-date. Also, be aware that your doctor won’t always know if the therapists on the list take your insurance.
Alternately, if you have a friend or family member with whom you’re comfortable discussing your mental health needs, and you know that person sees a therapist, you can ask him or her for a recommendation. Not everyone wants to give out the name of their therapist, but that therapist can sometimes recommend someone else for you to see. Also, this can be a way of finding a clinician with flexible payment options. Which brings me to …
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