Sometimes we refer patients to outside mental health providers for additional support, or to work more intensively on problems which may impact their surgical success. Finding the right provider for you can take some time, but a good fit is well worth the effort.
Type of ProvidersPsychiatrist: This is a medical doctor who can evaluate whether medication would be a helpful form of treatment and prescribe and monitor these medications if they are deemed appropriate. While some psychiatrists may provide psychotherapy, this has become the exception.
Psychotherapist: Often referred to as a “therapist” or “counselor”, this could be a clinical social worker, professional counselor, clinical psychologist, pastoral counselor or marriage and family therapist. A psychotherapist is trained to evaluate, diagnose and treat psychological, emotional and behavioral issues, using methods other than medication. This is accomplished through regular meetings where problems are discussed and solutions suggested. The psychotherapist’s role is to listen to the clients experiences as well as their goals, but also to act as a guide and coach, helping clients make necessary changes in their lives. Since there is a wide variety in the way different psychotherapist do their work, it is important to find somebody whose style you feel comfortable with.
It is important to note that there are specialists within these categories. It is essential to find a provider who is well versed in the areas you want help with.
Finding a ProviderThere are several ways to identify the providers in your area.
Ask for a referral: Word of mouth can be a good way to identify a provider. Ask people you like and trust, such as a primary care physician, family member or friend, clergy etc. If your company has an EAP program, this can often be used anonymously to help you find a more long-term provider.
Find your local mental health center: Use the internet or phone book to find your local mental health center and call them to find out what services they offer.
Contact your insurance company: This is a good idea to find out what your coverage is. Most insurance companies will provide you with a list of mental health providers in your area. If there are multiple customer service numbers on your card, call the one for Mental Health/Substance Abuse”.
Search Online: many sites on the internet will give you information about providers in your area. Typically, the more elaborate sites will only show those providers who have paid to be listed. However, these sites often give summaries of provider styles and specialties. Some allow you to search by specialty, which can be helpful. One such site is http://therapists.psychologytoday.com.
Choosing a ProviderFinding a good match is essential for finding someone you can work well with. Because everybody is different and there is such variety in styles and techniques, provider are not a “one size fits all”. It is important to feel like your provider listens to you, works to understand what your goals are, respects you, and can offer you the help that you need.
It is a good idea to interview providers to find out a little about their area of expertise as well as how they work. You can sometimes do this when you call to make an appointment. In fact, some providers will offer a free over-the-phone consultation to determine whether they would be a good match for you. If you are unable to ask questions at this time (such as may be the case when making an appointment at a busy practice or mental health center) then feel free to ask questions at your first appointment. A good provider will welcome your questions and will be as eager as you are to make sure the two of you can work well together. Just because you have seen somebody once (or several times) does not mean you have to continue if it is not working. Finding a good provider is like dating: it can take several tries to find the best match.
Some questions you may want to ask include:
*Do you take my insurance?
*What do you charge?
*Do you work with a lot of people who are dealing with ______________?
*How do you work with people who ______________?
*How would you describe your style?
*What are your hours/availability?
*What is your cancellation policy?
*How would I contact you in an emergency?
Describe what you are looking for help with and what you think would help you the most. Now is not the time to worry about how you come across. The provider needs to get an honest look at what you need to be able to determine if he or she can be helpful to you.
Give the provider a realistic sense of your schedule and how flexible you can be. Remember, everybody wants evening appointments, and you may have to wait for availability. Willingness to be flexible, especially initially, can get you in with a good provider more quickly.
Labels: Counseling, Therapist
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