1. You should first check the online provider network directory provided by your insurance plan to assist you in finding a psychiatrist in their network. Keep in mind that psychiatrists don’t only prescribe medication; the best psychiatrists integrate psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. Their medical training as well as the training they receive in various types of psychotherapy makes them especially well-suited for the treatment of MindBody problems and the interaction between chronic medical conditions and mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.
2. Another option is to call the Member Services number listed on your insurance card and ask them to provide you with several names of therapists in their network directory. The directory often does not tell you whether or not the therapist is currently taking new patients or when their next appointment opening might be: for this information, you must call the psychiatrist directly.
3. Sometimes you may have to call several therapists before you can reach someone who is accepting new patients. If you cannot locate anyone, call member services and let them know that despite many calls to therapists in their network, you have been unable to find anyone with whom you can make an appointment. Your insurer’s contract with you requires that they provide you with a therapist. You can ask them to help you find someone who is accepting patients. If they are not helpful, health insurers are regulated by the Department of Insurance in your state. If necessary, you can seek help from the office of the insurance commissioner.
4. Another way to find a therapist who accepts your insurance and has an appointment available is to use a website called ZocDoc (www.zocdoc.com ). ZocDoc is a free matching service for patients that enables you to search for a medical or behavioral health specialist by zip code (or town/state), the name of your insurance company, and the type of plan you have. When you enter your personal information, you will be presented with links to clinicians within a specified distance of your home or office who accept your insurance and who offer open appointment times in their calendar. An important thing to note is that clinicians are invited to join ZocDoc because they have been listed in magazines and on websites like Boston Magazine, US News, and World Report. You can check out these profiles with a simple Google search. Psychologists and social workers who offer psychotherapy are also listed in ZocDoc.
5. Yet another way to find a therapist is to ask your primary care doctor (PCP). Because of the prevalence of mental disorders in primary care practices (roughly 1/3 of all patients), most PCPs have developed relationships with mental health clinicians in the community with whom they share the care of patients. Thus, it is likely that they can refer you to someone they know and trust.
6. If your employer has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), they may also be able to help refer you to a therapist with whom they collaborate. If you are a student, the university health service will have therapists on staff and can also refer you to clinicians in the local community.
7. If your employer has a contract with a mental health provider network or organization like Ginger or Headspace Health, you can get that information from Human Resources or Employee Health and often free evaluation and free care is available for a number of sessions that vary according the employee benefit. Many large national employers offer plans like this though affiliated telemedicine or telemental health organizations.