I Need To See A Counselor, Now What?
It can take weeks, months, even years to recognize that you need extra support from a counselor. You've summoned the courage to make the phone call, but you don't even know where to start. How do you navigate the mental health world? Insurance? Finding a counselor? Here are a couple suggestions to get you started...
1. Assess Your Priorities - What matters most to you when it comes to a counselor? Some people put a very high value on a recommendation of a close friend or family. For others, the financial costs, location, or specialty may matter more.
2. Find a Counselor - Using your list of priorities, try to narrow your search. If you prefer recommendations from others, start asking around, talk to your primary care doctor, a school counselor, or read reviews online. If you need to see a counselor that is in your insurance network, request a list of providers from your insurance or use their online provider tool to find out who is covered by your insurance plan. If location matters most, you can google counselors based on location and look at a map to see what practices are in your geographic area.
3. Make the Phone Call - This sounds so much easier than it actually is. I recognize that for many people this can be a very scary obstacle to overcome. Remember that the counselor you are calling will be an important part of your change process so give yourself permission to ask questions and find someone who fits your needs. I would encourage you to ask questions and interview potential counselors. Some things you might want to ask: Are you taking new clients? How quickly can I get an appointment? What is the cost for your sessions (see #4 for more financial info)? What is your specialty? This initial conversation is helpful to get basic information about the counselor, but it will also give you a feel for who they are and how they operate. Call a couple people to see who you think would be the best fit.
4. Navigating the Financial Part - More and more often insurance networks are limiting their mental health coverage or the providers they will allow you to go to. Many people opt to pay out of pocket simply because it is easier and they want the power to choose the provider they go to. If you need to use your insurance plan, make sure to call them ahead of time to fully understand your benefits. You can usually find a phone number on the back of your insurance card. Some questions to ask (you can find these on my website): Is my counselor in network? What are my in-network benefits, including co-pays, deductibles, etc.? What are my out of network benefits (in case you decide to see someone out of network)? Do I need a pre-authorization from my doctor? Is there a session limit? If you know you want to see someone who is out of network, ask your insurance company if they will make a one time exception for the person you would like to see. This rarely happens, but it is always worth asking. You can also work with your counselor to make it more financially feasible. Many mental health professionals offer a set number of sliding scale slots for people who do not have insurance and/or have low socio-economic status. Make sure to have these financial conversations up front with your counselor so you know what to expect.
If you are in the Madison area and have questions about the information in this article or inquiries about the counseling process, call Michelle Owen at 608-285-2974.
