Parent/Family Resources
Finding a therapist for your child through your insurance
Finding a therapist through insurance can take some time, so here are some tips that will hopefully make the process easier and fruitful!
1. Look through the provider list for clinicians (often called behavioral health professionals) who are on the provider panel for your insurance plan. You can look for specific types of providers: psychologist, licensed social worker, and/or licensed mental health counselor. You may be able to refine your search for particular skills/areas of expertise: i.e. adolescence, ADHD, family counseling, substance use, anxiety etc. Find 5 names of clinicians or a practice that could work for you due to location, gender of therapist, or some other reason that jumps out at you. You can do some research on-line as many therapists have websites and/or write-ups which can help you get a sense of their approach prior to calling them. Sometimes, going through a community mental health agency in your area is the most helpful as they will take a variety of insurances.
2. Contact 5 providers/agencies and ask two basic questions (in a phone message/email):
Are you taking new clients and if yes, when is the earliest I can make an appointment?
What times are you available - make sure to tell that person what times will work for you (or your child).
3. If the location and timing work out have a brief screening phone call where you ask preliminary questions to get a sense of the person over the phone. Some recommended questions include:
What is your approach to helping someone with these struggles: ________________ what are your specific strategies?
What is your philosophy of personal change?
How do you connect with the teenagers you work with?
How do you work with parents when you see teens?
If you have any specific needs, you can ask about whether they have experience or interest in those issues.
Pay attention to your first impressions. These questions or others that you chose will give you a sense of whether the therapist's approach will match with your and your child’s needs.
4. Make an appointment and have your child see the therapist 4-6 times. This is what we call “therapist shopping”: it is a time when the client gets to try out the therapy relationship to see if there is a helpful fit. For teenagers this is an important and empowering process. Their instincts need to be highlighted and trusted. It can be helpful to tell your teen to share something important and meaningful but not INCREDIBLY private in the first sessions. This is a way of reminding the teen that they are in charge of their information and that building trust takes time. If by the fourth time, your child does not feel comfortable, supported or able to see how the relationship could help, then you can try the next person. “Therapist shopping" is a good lesson for teenagers that the goal is to find a person who feels supportive, understanding and helpful. This process also reinforces that their involvement and engagement is a vital part of any therapy relationship.
Note: Take notes throughout this process. If you follow all of these steps and you have not found a therapist that meets your needs, you may be in the position to petition your insurance for “out-of-network” services. Document your efforts to go within your panel. If it is clearly documented that your needs cannot be met by your insurance, you can submit a petition to your insurance to find you a fit for you or pay for a provider outside of your insurance plan.