Know what you want
The first step is to make a few decisions that will help you with the referral process. Issues to consider are:
- Do I have a provider preference for gender and cultural background (e.g., ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.)?
- Do I want therapy, medication, or both therapy and medication? (Keep in mind that psychologists, social workers, and therapists provide counseling services, and psychiatrists prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists provide both counseling and medication).
- Do I want to see a practitioner with certain expertise or who can provide a particular type of counseling approach?
- How will I pay for treatment and how much can I afford for counseling?How often do I want to be seen in counseling (e.g., once a week, once every other week, twice a week, etc.)?
Obtain Insurance Information
We know at CCP that obtaining and interpreting health insurance policies can be daunting at times. CCP staff is always here to help you.
Before seeking a referral, it is recommended that you call your insurance carrier and ask the following questions for both your in-network as well as your out-of-network mental health coverage:
- How many counseling sessions are allotted per year?
- How much will I have to pay per session? (This is referred to as a “co-payment”).
- Do I have to pay a certain amount before any of my benefits kick in? (This is referred to as a “deductible”).
- Do I have to get permission from the insurance company to see a particular provider, and if so, when should I call for the “pre-certification?”
- Do I have to get a referral from my primary care physician to receive counseling?
Contact Providers
When calling a provider(s) for the first time, here are some recommended questions:
- Do you have a few minutes to talk about the services you provide?
- Do you take my particular insurance policy?
- Are you seeing new clients for the services I need (therapy, medication, or therapy and medication) and when is your first available appointment?
- What is your therapy style/approach?
- How much experience and training do you have treating my particular concern?
- How long are your sessions?
- How much do I pay per session and when do you want these payments?
- If you are going to see out-of-network providers, ask them: Are you flexible with your fees in a way that takes into account my ability to pay and how much I earn? Do you offer a sliding scale fee? Do you offer a Super Bill (a statement with diagnostic information) that you can provide to your insurance company for out of network reimbursement, if any.
Meeting With the Provider
It is important to know that here is no therapist that works best with every individual. Clients often feel anxious when meeting their therapist for the first few times, so it may take two to three sessions to know if a therapist is a “good fit” for you. Here are a few factors to consider in deciding if you want to work with a provider:
- Do I feel comfortable, connected, and cared for when talking to this person?
- Are my values and cultural background respected by this clinician?
- Is the person assertive and/or empathetic enough for me?
- Does the therapist warmly challenge me when my beliefs and/or behaviors interfere with my well-being?
- Do I feel I will be able to trust this clinician?
- Does the provider behave in a professional manner?
- Was I able to set some therapy goals?