Therapy can help. But sometimes, we need help finding therapy.
Finding a licensed mental health professional that you connect with can have a profound impact on your healing process.
But when depression, anxiety, or symptoms of post-traumatic stress come into play, it can feel impossible to make a single phone call, let alone navigate the healthcare system to find a therapist.
If you live in the United States, your path to therapy will depend on your health insurance status.
If you have health insurance and you aren’t sure what kind of mental/behavioral health coverage your plan includes, start by calling the phone number on your insurance card. Most insurance companies also have benefits listed online, along with lists of approved providers.
Some insurance companies require a diagnosis (i.e. depression, PTSD) before treatment is approved. Other insurance companies require a referral from your general practitioner. In cases like these, you will have to set up an appointment with your doctor.
If you do not have insurance, or if therapy isn’t affordable even with insurance coverage, there are other options.
Community clinics or non-profit organizations offer free or low-cost therapy. Some therapists also accept “cash pay” clients with sliding scale, discounts, or payment plan options. Some employers offer Employee Assistant Plans that provide mental health benefits. Since the pandemic, Telehealth and online therapy providers have become much more widely available.
The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) has compiled a resource page of low-cost or no-cost therapy options.
TherapyDen is an inclusive, online therapy directory.
The Open Path Collective is an organization dedicated to making therapy more affordable, connecting people with therapists and determining payments on a sliding scale.