One’s way into the right kind of mental health care can be a real stepping stone toward attaining wellness and the daily management of mental health conditions. Considering choices from in-person appointments to telehealth services, with counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists making up some of those many options, picking the correct type of care can be overwhelming.
The following article is a step-by-step guide to help you choose the right mental health care for you or your loved ones.
Identifying Your Needs
The first step in selecting the proper type of mental health care is an awareness of what one needs. First, conduct a self-assessment: what symptoms do you feel? Anxiety, depression, stress, or some other problem? You also need to identify your goals — someone to talk to, management of medication, or intensive therapy. This kind of introspection helps narrow down options to find the most appropriate care.
Types of Mental Health Professionals
The kind of professional you see is going to make all the difference in the treatment of mental health. Indeed, there are many types of mental health professionals specializing in different areas with varying qualifications. These include:
Counselors
Counselors often conduct talk therapy to work with patients on particular problems like grief, addiction, relationship trouble, or even stress management.
Psychologists
Psychologists typically have a specialized degree; trained to provide psychotherapy and psychological testing, but they do not prescribe medications.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health; they are trained to prescribe medications and most often work collaboratively with psychologists or other therapists/counselors.
Social Workers
Mostly do case management and sometimes provide therapy, mainly in community health.
Level of Care
The levels of mental health care correspond to different needs:
Face-to-Face Appointments
Traditional in-person sessions could prove useful for those who would like the service to be more personal. This setting would allow a closer connection and help those who would benefit from face-to-face support.
Telehealth
Convenient, flexible remote consultations via phone call or video call work well in particular for those who are located in remote areas or who have a very busy schedule, especially for patients who are comfortable using technology and prefer to take part in their treatment in the comfort of their homes or other space.
Inpatient Care
This is the most intense level of care provided to individuals who need serious mental health care with continuous supervision. Inpatient care is suitable in crisis or when urgent stabilization is required, as well as when one’s functioning has been drastically impaired by a condition.
Support Groups
One can find peer support and people sharing similar experiences through group therapy sessions. This level of treatment works particularly well for people who want community support and have similar problems, and learn from others’ experiences. Support groups are common in addiction treatment, as well as trauma and grief support.
The benefits at every level of care, however, vary based on the severity and type of one’s condition, as well as their personal preference.
Accessibility and Affordability
Two of the most important features when selecting mental health care relate to accessibility and affordability. Make sure that you check the payment, insurance, and other options for the service you are using. Many mental health services are expensive, so understanding more affordable options is crucial. Community health centers, sliding scale fees, and online therapy platforms are more accessible in terms of cost.
Here are some tips for finding affordable care:
Check Insurance Coverage
Check your insurance coverage to know what services it covers, and seek in-network providers to save on out-of-pocket costs.
Community Health Centers
Many community health centers offer mental health services at reduced prices according to income.
Sliding Scale Fees
Some therapists will adjust their fees according to your ability to pay.
Online Therapy Platforms
Some online therapy platforms are relatively inexpensive in comparison to traditional face-to-face therapy.
Taking these factors into account, mental health care can be accessible and affordable. This will ensure that you receive the treatment that you need and will not bear undue financial stress.
Making the Choice
Attend to individual needs, expertise, and logistical variables of cost and accessibility to get the right mental health care for you. Your search will no doubt start by researching potential professionals and their areas of work; do not hesitate to schedule initial consultations to find the right person.
Just remember that how comfortable you feel with this person is very important; in fact, a good relationship and trust set the tone for effective treatment. Remember that what is most important is to take your time and find the care that is best for you.