There are many factors to take into consideration including feeling comfortable with the provider, what type of treatment you are looking for and your ability to pay.

Mental Illness is difficult to live with. Conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder can decrease your motivation, your focus and your ability to follow through. Finding a mental health professional is often a difficult and daunting task. If you are seeking treatment for the first time you may not know where to start or what to look for in a health provider.

Find Someone You Are Comfortable With

Additionally, for mental health issues it is imperative for you to find a provider that you can talk openly with and feel comfortable with. If you feel most comfortable talking with either a male or female doctor, by all means, seek out a provider that suits your needs. If you would prefer someone closer to your age, ask ahead of time what the age of the doctor is. Any other factors, such as, religion or cultural background, that would help you feel comfortable should be addressed. You should not feel guilty limiting your choices to those that you are most at ease with.

Where Do You Begin?

The first place to start would be with your family physician. Not only will he be able to evaluate you and determine if the symptoms you are experiencing may be part of a physical condition, he often knows of reputable mental health providers in your area. Other people you might ask would be ministers, friends, local support groups, or relatives.

What Type of Mental Health Provider Do You Need?

The type of mental health professional that you choose should be based on your individual needs. If you desire or need medication to help with symptoms, you will require a medical doctor or psychiatrist, as they are able to prescribe medication. If you are looking for talk therapy or help in cognitive skills, you might choose a therapist, a social worker or a psychologist. Many people will have more than one mental health provider, one to discuss medication issues and one to help with life and coping skills.

How Will You Pay For Services

Another consideration would be your ability to pay for services. Do you have insurance? Be sure that the provider you choose accepts your insurance plan. Know in advance what the health insurance company will pay and what your co-payment will be. If you do not have health insurance, find out exactly what the fees will be and if the provider works on a sliding scale (if you need help in affording the treatment.)

You might want to request an initial interview session to find out if you feel this provider is right for you. At this meeting you can ask questions about education, credentials, if he has a specialty, how long a typical session is, the fees, what is included in a typical session, and any other information you feel would be pertinent for the success of your treatment.

Mental health treatment is often ongoing. Therefore, it is important for you to continually re-evaluate your treatment plan and your mental health provider. If you are not showing progress or at any time you begin to feel uncomfortable with the health professional, you should be able to openly discuss your concerns and receive reasonable explanations. If not you are able to seek a new mental health provider.

Additional resources for finding a mental health professional:

National Mental Health Information Center

This national database includes a directory of treatment facilities and mental health organizations.

Find Affordable Health Care

This database is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and offers a searchable directory of health centers that provide treatment, whether you have the ability to pay or not.

Clinical Trials

The National Institute of Mental Health provides a listing of clinical trials that are currently seeking participants. Many clinical trials provide medication and treatment. Some will reimburse participants for their time.

References:

Mental Health Providers: Find One to Suit Your Needs, Mayo Clinic

Getting Help: Locate Services, National Institute of Mental Health