How to Find a Psychiatrist*
There are several ways to go about finding a psychiatrist for your mental health needs.
Word of Mouth / Referral
One of the best ways to find a psychiatrist is by word of mouth. However, this strategy may be difficult for the Asian population, given the tendency and preference to keep mental illness "quiet" and "within the family." If there is someone you trust and feel comfortable talking to about your symptoms, you may want to ask them if they know of anyone else with a similar condition, and if that person might have a doctor to recommend.
If you aren't comfortable talking to others about your symptoms, then another good place to turn to is a health care professional you know, such as your Primary Care Provider (PCP), or another medical specialist you already see. Ask if they can recommend a psychiatrist who has a good reputation and is well-known throughout the community. The health care professional may ask you to briefly describe your symptoms in order to determine which type of psychiatrist would be a good fit for you.
If you do not go through a referral base, there are other means through which you can find a psychiatrist. You can contact your insurance company and ask them for a list of mental health providers. Or, try looking in your local phone book or search online to find an area doctor who specializes in your needs.
Contact Your Health Insurance Company
1. Find the paperwork for your health insurance plan. Read through the section that includes information about psychiatric care coverage. Such information might be included under the heading "Mental Health." Once you locate your coverage information, call your health insurance company to verify.
2. Ask your health insurance company if there is a list of psychiatrists from which you should choose. Some insurance plans may fully cover your visits and medication if you see a psychiatrist from their approved list. Other companies and plans may offer “in network” vs. “out of network” benefits, which means you may be able to choose any psychiatrist you want, but you would receive less coverage if you choose someone outside of your insurance company's network.
3. Ask your health insurance company if you need a pre-authorization or referral to see a psychiatrist. A pre-authorization is typically done through the health insurance company. If you need a referral, you may need to visit your primary care provider for one. Make sure you find out what is required before beginning visits with a psychiatrist, so that you do not experience any unexpected surprises later.
Research Your Choices, Narrow Down Your Options
1. Identify a few psychiatrists / therapists that seem to be the best fit for you, based on recommendations from other health care professionals, family members, and friends.
2. Call the offices of your top few choices. Ask each psychiatrist if they have a particular specialty. Most people see doctors who practice general psychiatry, so you do not necessarily need to find a psychiatrist who specializes in certain disorders. But if you have a special interest / issue (e.g., anxiety, dementia), you might want to find a doctor that specializes in your disorder. You should also ask if the psychiatrist's office provides therapy, or if they can refer you to a psychotherapist if necessary.
3. Ask each psychiatrist if they accept your health insurance. If you do not have health insurance, ask about the initial assessment fee and the fee for follow-up appointments. Many times, the initial assessment costs two to three times more than routine follow-up visits.
Making the Decision: Determine Which Psychiatrist is Best for You
1. Consider the referral credibility for each of the psychiatrists you contacted. Ask yourself how “strong” of a recommendation each psychiatrist received. There is a difference between a strong recommendation and a perfunctory referral.
2. Consider the specialty and accessibility of your top few choices. Ask yourself if you want a psychiatrist who specializes in certain disorders. Think about the location of each psychiatrist’s office, and how logistically convenient visits would be. If cultural sensitivity and/or sharing a common non-English language is important to you, determine which choices fit your preferences.
Sources:
*Adapted from an article by Angela Eward Mangione, "How to find a Psychiatrist": http://www.ehow.com/how_4464777_find-psychiatrist.html
http://www.anxietytreatmentexperts.com/how_to_find_a_pyshiatrist.asp
To find a psychologist, visit the Psychology Today web site and use their "Find a Therapist" tool.
Word of Mouth / Referral
One of the best ways to find a psychiatrist is by word of mouth. However, this strategy may be difficult for the Asian population, given the tendency and preference to keep mental illness "quiet" and "within the family." If there is someone you trust and feel comfortable talking to about your symptoms, you may want to ask them if they know of anyone else with a similar condition, and if that person might have a doctor to recommend.
If you aren't comfortable talking to others about your symptoms, then another good place to turn to is a health care professional you know, such as your Primary Care Provider (PCP), or another medical specialist you already see. Ask if they can recommend a psychiatrist who has a good reputation and is well-known throughout the community. The health care professional may ask you to briefly describe your symptoms in order to determine which type of psychiatrist would be a good fit for you.
If you do not go through a referral base, there are other means through which you can find a psychiatrist. You can contact your insurance company and ask them for a list of mental health providers. Or, try looking in your local phone book or search online to find an area doctor who specializes in your needs.
Contact Your Health Insurance Company
1. Find the paperwork for your health insurance plan. Read through the section that includes information about psychiatric care coverage. Such information might be included under the heading "Mental Health." Once you locate your coverage information, call your health insurance company to verify.
2. Ask your health insurance company if there is a list of psychiatrists from which you should choose. Some insurance plans may fully cover your visits and medication if you see a psychiatrist from their approved list. Other companies and plans may offer “in network” vs. “out of network” benefits, which means you may be able to choose any psychiatrist you want, but you would receive less coverage if you choose someone outside of your insurance company's network.
3. Ask your health insurance company if you need a pre-authorization or referral to see a psychiatrist. A pre-authorization is typically done through the health insurance company. If you need a referral, you may need to visit your primary care provider for one. Make sure you find out what is required before beginning visits with a psychiatrist, so that you do not experience any unexpected surprises later.
Research Your Choices, Narrow Down Your Options
1. Identify a few psychiatrists / therapists that seem to be the best fit for you, based on recommendations from other health care professionals, family members, and friends.
2. Call the offices of your top few choices. Ask each psychiatrist if they have a particular specialty. Most people see doctors who practice general psychiatry, so you do not necessarily need to find a psychiatrist who specializes in certain disorders. But if you have a special interest / issue (e.g., anxiety, dementia), you might want to find a doctor that specializes in your disorder. You should also ask if the psychiatrist's office provides therapy, or if they can refer you to a psychotherapist if necessary.
3. Ask each psychiatrist if they accept your health insurance. If you do not have health insurance, ask about the initial assessment fee and the fee for follow-up appointments. Many times, the initial assessment costs two to three times more than routine follow-up visits.
Making the Decision: Determine Which Psychiatrist is Best for You
1. Consider the referral credibility for each of the psychiatrists you contacted. Ask yourself how “strong” of a recommendation each psychiatrist received. There is a difference between a strong recommendation and a perfunctory referral.
2. Consider the specialty and accessibility of your top few choices. Ask yourself if you want a psychiatrist who specializes in certain disorders. Think about the location of each psychiatrist’s office, and how logistically convenient visits would be. If cultural sensitivity and/or sharing a common non-English language is important to you, determine which choices fit your preferences.
Sources:
*Adapted from an article by Angela Eward Mangione, "How to find a Psychiatrist": http://www.ehow.com/how_4464777_find-psychiatrist.html
http://www.anxietytreatmentexperts.com/how_to_find_a_pyshiatrist.asp
To find a psychologist, visit the Psychology Today web site and use their "Find a Therapist" tool.