Find a Mental Health Provider in Your Area

How to find a local mental health provider

Good mental health is an important part of navigating a serious illness. At times, your child might need the help of a mental health provider to understand and process their feelings about their illness or treatment.

Here are some tips for finding the right provider in your area:

• Ask your child’s doctor or primary care provider for a referral.
• Call your health insurance company for a list of providers. The number is on the back of your insurance card.
• Talk to your school counselor or another school staff member about counseling options at your child’s school or in your local area.
• Check to see if your local college has a counseling or psychology clinic.
• Ask your care team for information.

Visit these sites to search for a provider in your area:

• American Psychological Association
  
• National Register of Health Service Psychologists
• Psychology Today

Types of mental health providers

Some providers focus on family, couple, and personal counseling. These include:

• Therapist or counselor (LPC, LMHC, or LMFT)
• Clinical social worker (LCSW)
• Psychologist (PhD or PsyD)

Some providers can prescribe medicines. These include:

• Psychiatrist (MD or DO)
• Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
• Primary care provider

Types of therapy for mental health

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy – Helps people understand the relationship among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; teaches strategies to change thoughts and behaviors to improve wellbeing
• Acceptance and commitment therapy – Helps people live a life consistent with their values through behavior change; helps people accept circumstances outside their control and be mindful of the present moment
• Dialectical and behavior therapy – Helps people better understand and regulate their emotions, be mindful of the present moment, tolerate distress, and improve communication skills
• Behavioral therapy – Helps people identify and change unhelpful behaviors 
• Behavior management therapy – Helps parents learn strategies to increase their child’s positive behaviors and decrease negative behaviors

Some children may need a mental health specialist with extra training and experience. Examples include therapy for:

• Infants and young children
• Trauma
• Substance abuse
  
• Sleep disorders
• Grief (bereavement)

Questions to ask a mental health provider

It is important to ask questions to make sure you find a therapist that is a good fit for your child. Be honest about your needs and concerns. Some questions you might ask are:

• Do you work with children, teens, or adults?
• Do you work with people with medical conditions?
• What types of therapy do you offer?
• Do you have experience treating (your current concern)?
• What are your hours? Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
• How long is your waiting list?
• Do you accept insurance?
• Do you offer telehealth?
  

It can feel uncomfortable to talk to a mental health provider for the first time. If you continue to feel uncomfortable after a few visits, you may want to try a different provider.

What to expect

The first visit with a new mental health provider helps them get to know your child and their needs. Expect them to ask you a lot of questions. You will also fill out paperwork.  

You can support your child by:

• Meeting with the therapist as needed
• Improving your own skills to support your child
• Speaking up for your child and family
• Taking care of yourself and finding the support you need
• Asking the provider questions

How your care team can help

Your care team can help you understand your child's mental health needs. Speak with your care team to:

• Learn about mental health resources 
• Ask about what type of therapy may be best for your child
• Have them speak with your mental health provider to coordinate care
• Ask that your child’s medical record be shared with your mental health provider