Posted 7/17/2015 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Syndicated columnist Carolyn Hax's chat offers this gem from a social worker.
http://live.washingtonpost.com/carolyn-hax-live-20150605.html#3767783
Summation.
1.Go to your insurance website for Mental or Behavioral Health... If you don't have insurance, try therapists.psychologytoday.com and search for therapists. You can also look for advocacy groups that specialize in something that applies to you, for example ALS or grieving parents.
2. Search for providers. Try to get a list of about 40 or more providers before you start making calls... be very specific [in your internet search], if not, be as general as you can.
3.Start making calls. Allow yourself about an hour and promise yourself something nice afterwards.
"My name is X and my number is Y. I am trying to find a therapist... in your area. I need to know
if you are accepting new clients and if you take my insurance, which is Q. I am dealing with Z
problem right now. Do you have experience dealing with this? If you might be a good fit, please
call me back. Again, my name is X and my number is Y."
4.Once you have some therapists who are accepting new clients, do a little research, or go ahead and pick one and schedule an appointment
5.Keep the list of other options handy.
6. Remember, you are not in this alone and this is a hard uncomfortable problem, even for experts. Be kind to yourself as you do this and get as much help as you can.