Professionals who specialize in mental health diagnosis and treatment are mental health providers. They typically have a master’s degree, and some have more advanced degrees, certifications, and experience. Ensure that your mental health professional is licensed. A provider’s licensure and services depend on their specialization, training, and state law. Read these tips to find the best mental health professional.
1. Use an online therapy app
The Betterhelp Therapy Hunter provides tools to help you find the kind of therapy you need. You can also work with a qualified, licensed therapist online or over the phone. Since people find digital therapy easy and more affordable than in-person therapy. Online therapy sessions typically cost $35-80 per week.
After online sessions, people with depression felt their symptoms improved in at least one study. However, it should be focused on that two of the researchers involved in this study were employees or consultants of the digital therapy provider.
2. Refer a friend
A trusted family member or doctor would be an excellent place to start. In 2018, a nationally representative survey of 1,021 Americans found that 39 percent sought therapy from their primary care provider, while 19 percent got recommendations from friends. Brief your doctor about your symptoms or condition, even if you don’t think you’ll need treatment. You can decide if a specific type of provider is right for you.
3. Refer to your provider directory
You might start looking through your insurance provider network if you plan to pay for therapy through your insurance.
In addition, you should check whether your insurance plan limits the amount of therapy you can receive per year and whether you will pay more if you use an out-of-network therapist.
4. Decide with whom you would work best
Given how meaningful your relationship with your therapist is to your well-being, some factors you might consider when looking for a therapist include:
- Think about with what gender you will be comfortable man, woman, or nonbinary person
- How old must the person be?
- Which particular religion do they belong to?
It’s all up to you with whom you are comfortable to share everything you feel about life, whether it’s a man or woman. If you don’t have any idea with whom you should talk, then still its ok you can answer that you have no issue with the preferences.
With time and searching online, you will get to know what type of therapist you may need as people share their experiences in reviews about professionals. You can also check their biographies or related schedule to your time to fix appointments.
5. Explore local resources
You can get help anywhere you want, such as if you are a student, your school might provide you counseling center, where you live, the community offers resources, etc. It is also possible that your workplace offers an assistance program if you suffer mental health issues or domestic or sexual abuse. You will be able to find a group or therapist through local advocacy.
There is also another option if you are religious you can take help from your faith, like reaching out to a mosque, church, or synagogue according to your worship preferences.