a Many people feel sick. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five American adults will experience symptoms of anxiety or depression by 2023. (CDC). In the UK, 40.5% of people with anxiety experienced ‘moderate’ or ‘high’ anxiety level 16% of adults will experience moderate to severe symptoms by 2022 depressive symptoms.
For many people, psychotherapy effective How to deal with a variety of concerns, from diagnosed mental illness to general dissatisfaction and inertia.
“People tend to seek treatment when they feel stuck somewhere in their lives, and this prevents them from living a fulfilling and meaningful life,” says the clinical management of a member-based medical institution. said Dr. Elizabeth Morey, vice president. Mental Health Directory and Claims Platform alma.
But starting treatment can be daunting. How can we afford it? How do you find the right therapist? What can you expect from treatment? We asked the experts.
Think about the type of therapist you want to work with
Starting treatment may seem difficult. “You’re putting yourself in a situation where you’re sharing very vulnerable and intimate details about yourself, at least initially, with someone you don’t know at all,” Morley says.
With that in mind, think about what qualities you would like your therapist to have to help you feel more comfortable. Do you want them to be of a certain gender, age, or similar cultural background to you? Is it important to you to meet someone in person, or are you comfortable with telemedicine? Do you have experience in the area you’re looking to work on, such as relationships, sleep, or body image? These questions will help narrow your search.
Let’s look into it a bit
There are several ways to find a therapist in your area.
“You can Google it!” says Dr. Marnie Schanberg, senior director of the American Psychological Association’s Office of Independent Practice. She suggests searching for something like “psychotherapist near me.” She explains that psychotherapist is a more specific term than just “therapist” and can include things like physical therapists. Many therapists have websites or biographies outlining their experience and approach to therapy. See if any meet the identity and experience criteria you decided on earlier.
Experts also recommend searching on websites with directories of providers, such as: psychology today.
If you don’t have many therapists near you, look for one that is licensed in your state and offers telehealth services.
“If you live in rural Tennessee, there may not be many therapists in your area, but you may be able to find one in Memphis or Knoxville.” Tribeca Therapy In Manhattan.
If you’re comfortable letting people know you’re looking for a therapist, take advantage of your social networks. Asking trusted friends if they know of a good therapist is “a chance to find a vetted therapist,” says Lundquist.
Even if you don’t want to see your friend’s therapist, Lundquist says they may be able to refer you to another therapist who “does similar work to yours or might be a good fit.”
consider cost
One of the biggest obstacles most people face when it comes to treatment is cost. In the US, most clinicians charge a fee between $100 and $200 per session, and can be even higher in major cities.
Free talk therapy is practiced in the UK. available Although it is available through the NHS, waiting times can be long, so some people choose to supplement their treatment with folk remedies. of National average The cost per session is estimated to be between £50 and £80.
Considering that many therapists encourage their clients to come in weekly or biweekly, costs can add up quickly.
Before you start looking for a health care provider, think about how you plan to pay for your treatment. That determines which health care providers are available.
Pay with insurance – in the US:
“The first challenge for most people is finding a therapist that is in-network and has insurance,” Morley says.
This can be difficult, as choosing insurance can be a headache for both patients and providers.
“There are a lot of therapists out there who don’t have insurance, especially in big cities,” Lundquist says. Insurance coverage for mental health care can be complex and prohibitive, he explains. Many companies “want to put limits on the number of sessions, and therapists end up chasing limits for reimbursement,” he says.
One way to find an in-network therapist is to ask your insurance company for a list of therapists in your area.
If you would like to see an out-of-network therapist, some insurance plans allow you to submit a claim for reimbursement after you have already paid for the session. However, check with your insurance company first to see if this is available under your plan.
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Pay out of pocket – in the US:
Some people may be able to pay for a therapist out-of-pocket, in which case they simply choose the provider they think is best suited. There are options for people who don’t have insurance, or who don’t want to use insurance for privacy reasons but can’t afford to pay a private therapist’s regular rates.
“Looking for a local university is best,” Shamberg says.
Many universities offering graduate programs in psychology offer sessions with doctoral students at a discounted rate. “They are very advanced in their training and are supervised every step of the way,” Shamberg says. “It can be a great way to get treatment at an affordable price.”
Professionals can also contact local hospital systems, community clinics, and mental health agencies that may offer low-cost or sliding-scale mental health care or refer you to health care providers who provide mental health care. We are proposing.
Additionally, if you find a therapist you’d like to work with but can’t afford to pay, Morley suggests emailing them. “Explain your financial constraints and see if they are willing to offer sliding scale or free services,” she says. “Most people won’t think to ask.”
Set up a consultation
Once you’ve identified a therapist who might be a good fit for you, ask if they’re available for a consultation. Some therapists offer free 15-minute phone consultations. Some offer full-session paid consulting. Experts recommend, if possible, a full session so that you can see how the person is working.
During your consultation, pay attention to how you’re feeling, says Schanberg. She suggests asking yourself: Do they seem interested in me as a person? Are they asking me relevant questions? ”
It may take several sessions to determine if a therapist is a good fit. “In just two or three sessions, someone who makes you feel heard, someone who makes you feel seen, someone who gives you presence and attention. You can know for sure.”
find the right fit
When looking for a therapist, Lundquist says it’s important to be “choosy.”
“This is a very important relationship,” he says. “It’s important to get it right.”
Don’t feel bad if your provider tells you it’s not right for you. “A lot of times, clients don’t bring it up because they’re afraid of hurting our feelings,” Shamberg says. If the therapist is taking it personally, they’re probably not a good fit anyway.
Don’t give up if you try a therapist that isn’t right for you. “Finding the perfect fit may take time, but that’s part of the process,” Shamberg says. “That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.”
Morey says finding a therapist is like dating. “It’s important to find the person you want to be around, and you probably won’t end up in a long-term relationship with the first person you date.”
