If you’re struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Whether you experience depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition that makes life feel more difficult, help is always available. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to contact a therapist who can help you manage your specific needs. Everyone has a different journey toward betterment and a trained therapist can help you determine the right path for what you want to achieve. Numerous resources are available to help you find the right therapist, so it’s important to know exactly what you need before you begin your search.
Determine What You Need
The first step toward finding the right treatment for your mental health is to determine exactly what you need. Do you want to engage in talk therapy or are you looking for a treatment group where you’re healing alongside others? Would you benefit from speaking with a psychiatrist or a psychologist? There’s a big difference between these two types of medical professionals, so it’s good to know in advance what each does and what they offer you as a patient. A psychiatrist prescribes medication and typically centers their assessment and treatment plan around the use and distribution of the medication to treat your symptoms. A psychologist treats both emotional and mental distress through various methods, including psychotherapy.
If you’re unsure of which option is right for you, start by utilizing an online resource such as With Therapy to determine what type of therapist is best suited to what you’re experiencing. With Therapy is an online database that helps match you with the best therapist available. To start the process, you’ll use the interactive With Therapy website to discuss your concerns, your health background, and any preferences you have for the type of care you want to receive. From there, the site provides you with a list of therapists who are suitable for your concerns and background. You have the ability to see which professional you feel most comfortable with by contacting them directly and trying an initial session.
Always Ask Questions
When you’re vetting a potential therapist, it’s important to ask specific questions to ensure you’re finding the right fit. Start by asking the therapist how much experience they have working with the issue you’re seeking help for and how they commonly approach a treatment plan for this type of concern. Will you undergo cognitive-behavioral therapy or does the therapist believe a prescription drug will help you manage your symptoms more effectively? Oftentimes, a combination of talk therapy and prescription medication is recommended to help you live a more fulfilling and manageable life.
Another question to ask is what type of insurance plan each therapist accepts, as this often differs from one professional to the next. Speak with your health insurance provider directly if you’d like an initial list of mental health professionals to contact who accept your current plan, or simply ask With Therapy what type of insurance is accepted before you begin your first session. This is especially important if you receive prescription medication, as the cost of these drugs is much higher if you’re paying out of pocket.
Get Started
Once you vet potential therapists and determine what type of treatment plan works best for you, it’s time to get started. This can be the hardest step as it’s difficult to admit when you need help. After you take the first step by setting up an appointment with your new therapist, everything becomes easier from there. You’ll work directly with your chosen therapist to discuss your concerns and you’ll continually make adjustments along the way to ensure you’re receiving the proper level of care.
If you need prescriptions to help manage symptoms, work with your health insurance provider to see if there are any prescription discount options available to stay within your target budget. Generic prescriptions typically cost less, but your insurance plan may allow you to receive the lowest price for the exact medication you need.
From there, you’ll find a nearby pharmacy like CVS pharmacy where you can easily fill and retrieve your prescriptions whenever you need them. Combined with therapy and other treatments, you’ll start to feel better.