There’s a stigma in the mental health field, no matter the demographic. People are scared to go to therapy because of how it’ll look to others. For the record, it seems healthy. This stigma spans throughout different cultures. In general, there are negative perceptions and misunderstandings about mental health.
Many people struggle with finding an efficient mental health specialist. Like everything else in life, there are good and bad counselors. The key is locating someone to help you fix your current mental health issues. Here are some tips on how to find a mental health specialist that works for you.
Consider what you’re looking for.
People have numerous different reasons to talk to a mental health professional. Are you seeking someone who is licensed to prescribe medication? Or are you looking for someone to talk to? Most people hoping to treat their mental health condition have two separate professionals, one that focuses on medication and one that focuses on behavioral or emotional therapies.
If you haven’t spoken to a physician yet, you should see one and get a physical exam. Various illnesses can cause symptoms comparable to mental illness. Even if you don’t believe your condition will need medical treatment, it may be best to tell a doctor about what you’re feeling and get a diagnosis. Suppose you’re suffering from a mental health condition that may benefit from medication. In that case, you should look for a mental health specialist, like a psychiatrist, instead of relying on a primary care physician. Primary care physicians are essential allies in managing your overall health, but a specialist has more experience treating mental health conditions.
Talk to your doctor.
Your family or medical doctor is an excellent place to start finding a good mental health specialist. Discuss your issues with your doctor, and they can point you in the right direction for proper help.
Gather referrals.
You could call your insurer’s information number if you have health insurance. It would be best to ask for the number of professionals near you who accept your insurance plan. Try your best to get three names and numbers, so you’ll have some to fall back on if one falls through.
It’s also an excellent time to get clarification on your insurance benefits. You could ask questions like, “Do you need to see a primary care provider first for a referral, or can you make an appointment with a psychiatrist directly?” You could also ask how the plan covers therapy visits. You could stop by your community mental health center if you don’t have insurance.
Visit your local hospital.
Your local hospital is another excellent source for finding a good mental health specialist. A hospital is also a good source for finding other mental health programs nearby. They know numerous programs and counselors in the area and can lead you in the right direction.
Ask your relatives or friends.
Use your connections with relatives and friends to see if they know any good counselors in your area. This tactic can be effective if you don’t care about your loved ones knowing you’re looking for help. Numerous nonprofit mental health agencies and churches have a selection of mental health programs that can lead you to the right mental health specialist for you.
Do your research.
When looking for a mental health program or specialist, it would be best to ask for someone with a good reputation. Remember, finding a mental health specialist to help you depends on your interactions with the specialist and their interactions with you. Finding the right person may take some time, but don’t give up. Finding an effective specialist will help you in the long term, so be persistent in finding the right specialist.
Make the call.
If you’re afraid to call, ask a family member or friend to call for you and make an appointment. If it’s your first time looking for a diagnosis, tell the person so they can block out enough time for a conversation. If they tell you that new patients have to wait months for an appointment, it would be best to make it anyway.
Then, call the other numbers on your list. If you get an appointment with one of them, you can always cancel your first appointment if you find someone that can help you sooner. You could also join the waiting list for cancellations. If another patient cancels, you may get an appointment earlier than expected.
However, if you can’t wait weeks or months, it would be best to see your primary care doctor as soon as you can for support that will hold you over until you get your appointment. If you’re in an emergency, go straight to the hospital emergency room.
Do what’s best for you.
The critical components of having an effective mental health specialist are the ability to talk to your counselor effectively, affordability, and if your specialist can find the answers to your issues. Select a mental health specialist you feel comfortable talking to, then go from there. You can always change counselors if a problem arises, so don’t pressure yourself if things don’t work out with one counselor. There are other counselors out there who will be willing to help you.
Give it some time.
If your mental health condition doesn’t improve after a month or two of working with your current specialist, it may be time to find someone else. The purpose of speaking with a mental health specialist is for you to learn the skills of dealing with your mental health problems and seeing improvements. However, if nothing changes after a month or so, it may be time to seek another specialist.
Finding the mental health specialist that works for you may take some time. However, you should persist in your search and try not to get discouraged if one specialist doesn’t work out. Remember, there is a specialist out there who is willing to help you get through your issues. With the proper support, you’ll start feeling better in no time.
