Finding a therapist is the worst type of online dating

“Trying to find a therapist right now is like the worst kind of online dating” – Anonymous Client

We get it. Finding a good-fit therapist that has availability AND takes your insurance is hard. There are fewer mental health professionals providing services and even fewer willing to work with complicated insurance demands. This means dozens of calls to providers, and if you get a callback, many providers are not taking new clients or have longer wait times for appointments than ever before.  It can feel infuriating, and hopeless.  Trust us, we think the same way about the situation. 

Below are some tips that can help can you find the right clinician, faster:

Online Therapist Search

Psychologytoday.com, Therapyden.com, and Goodtherapy.org have search features where you can select preferences (zip code, insurance, in-person vs. online options, gender, availability, specialties, etc.) to help you narrow down your search.

Insurance Resources 

Call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask for a list of therapists who take your insurance AND have openings in your area.  If you call their list and no one is taking new clients, let the insurance company know and complain. Insurance companies need to get this feedback to increase their network offerings.  While talking to your insurance, ask them if you have any Out Of Network Benefits (OON).  Sometimes insurance will pay for a significant portion of your mental health costs, even if your provider is not an in-network provider.

Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Savings Account (FSA) 

These accounts are set up through your employer and can often be used to fund therapy sessions

Payment Flexibility

Using one of the therapist search engines mentioned above, search for clinics or providers who offer reduced fees or sliding scale sessions for patients paying out of pocket. 

Tech Giants Offering Mental Health Services

If you search online for therapy in your area, or if you’ve watched TV in the last few years, you will most likely have heard about large, online therapy companies offering immediate online mental health services.  Some of these companies suggest they can take your insurance, but many others demand cash payment for services upfront. While these sizeable mental health/tech companies are still being evaluated for efficacy and ethics, if you’re really in a bind, they could provide immediate support.

Please know we are doing the best we can to provide you with therapists or referrals to get your needs met. We hope these tips can help you get the mental health care you need when you need it.

Thank you for your patience in these tumultuous times. 

Be well,