Looking for a mental health provider but don’t know where to start? We can help! It can be overwhelming to figure out what type of mental health provider may best meet your needs. Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Your needs, wants, and goals
- Are you clear on your needs for support (counseling/therapy, psychiatric medication management, etc.), or do you need help clarifying them?
- Do you have specific “wants” (therapist identities, specialties, treatment modalities, etc.) when it comes to the type of provider you see?
- What goals do you have in seeking support for your mental health?
2. Mental health provider compatibility
- Based on what you know about the provider, do you think they can meet your “wants?”
- The treatment provided by mental health providers vary based on their training, skill sets, strengths, and specialty areas.
- It’s important that you feel comfortable with your mental health provider. If it doesn’t seem like the best fit, don’t hesitate to switch to a different provider.
3. The cost of services
How will you cover the cost of mental health services? Mental health services can be financially covered in various ways:
Medical insurance
- Do you have medical insurance?
- Does your insurance cover mental health services?
- If you aren’t sure, reach out to the insurance company to ask.
- Does the provider take medical insurance? If yes, what insurance companies do they accept?
- Is the provider in-network with your insurance?
- If you aren’t sure, reach out to the insurance company to ask.
Financial aid/external funding
Financial aid
- Does the provider have financial aid available for clients?
- Some providers have a financial aid policy that eligible individuals can utilize to help pay for mental health services.
External funding
- Financial resources may be available through external agencies or programs.
Sliding scale
Some providers offer flexible payment options based on your income and financial situation.
After considering your needs, wants, and goals, mental health provider compatibility, and the cost of services, you can begin looking for a mental health provider. There are many ways to search for mental health providers. Your school counselor, social worker, or other school mental health support may be familiar with referral options in your area. Additionally, the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic has partnered with Welltrack Connect to build and provide a free online referral platform to make it easier for Iowans to access mental health support.
To help in your search, we made a list of different types of mental health providers by breaking down professional titles, credentials, and main roles. We have also included several links to different professional association websites in case you are interested in learning more.
Assessment, Therapy, and Case Management
- Professionally trained to:
- Provide psychological evaluation/assessment, neuropsychological testing, and diagnostic evaluations
- Offer therapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups to treat mental, behavioral, and emotional concerns
- Licensure requirements vary by state
- Professionally trained to:
- Provide case management
- Provide psychosocial assessment and diagnostic evaluations
- Offer therapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups to treat mental, behavioral, and emotional concerns
- Licensure requirements vary by state:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Social Workers (BSW, MSW, PhD, DSW)
- Professionally trained to:
- Assist with resource referral and advocacy
- Provide case management
- Provide psychosocial assessment and diagnostic evaluations
- Offer therapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups to treat mental, behavioral, and emotional concerns
- Licensure requirements vary by state:
- Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Prescribe and Monitor Psychiatric Medication
Physicians
- Professionally trained to:
- Provide psychiatric assessment and diagnostic evaluations
- Prescribe medications for mental, behavioral, and emotional concerns
- Medical licensure requirements vary by state
Primary Care Physicians (MD or DO)
- Professionally trained to:
- Provide preventative, routine, and non-emergent healthcare
- Prescribe medications for a wide range of medical conditions
- Medical licensure requirements vary by state
Advanced Practice Providers (APP): nurses and physician associates/assistants who diagnose, prescribe, and manage medical care in collaboration with physicians.
- Professionally trained to:
- Provide preventative, routine, and emergent or non-emergent healthcare
- Prescribe medications for a wide range of medical conditions
- Medical licensure requirements vary by state:
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practioner (PMHNP)
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
- Certified Registered Nurse Practioner (CRNP)
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNP)
Physician Associates/Assistants (MPAS)
- Professionally trained to:
- Provide preventative, routine, and emergent or non-emergent healthcare
- Prescribe medications for a wide range of medical conditions
- Medical licensure requirements vary by state
We hope this information can be helpful for you in your search for a mental health provider!
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians. (n.d.). Primary care. https://www.aafp.org/about/policies/all/primary-care.html
- American Academy of Physician Associates. (n.d.). What is a PA?. https://www.aapa.org/about/what-is-a-pa/.
- American Counseling Association. (n.d.). What is counseling?. https://www.counseling.org/mental-health-counseling/what-is-counseling.
- American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Advance practice registered nurse (APRN). https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/aprn/.
- American Psychiatric Association. (2023, January). What is psychiatry?. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-psychiatry.
- American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Careers in psychology. https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/careers.
- American Psychological Association. (2018). Psychologist. In APA Dictionary. https://dictionary.apa.org/psychologist.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2020, April). Types of mental health professionals. https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/treatments/types-of-mental-health-professionals/.
- National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). About social workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Facts/Social-Workers.