Whether it’s Miss Rona, schoolwork overload, or you’re just feeling down in the dumps, everyone needs a little (or a lot-tle) support. But once you’re ready to find a therapist, where do you even start? Read below.
*If you are in need of immediate, emergency assistance, please call 911, your school’s mental health on-call counselor, or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. If you are a Hofstra student in need of immediate assistance, please call the after-hours crisis line at Public Safety at (516) 463-6789.
- Got Insurance? Check the Website.
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Most insurance companies have a website that displays every doctor within their network broken down by category. That means less out-of-pocket cost for you and less hassle with finding your options. Therapists and counselors might be listed under “psychiatric services,” so don’t get thrown off by the header.
No insurance? No worries ⬇️
- Look into Your School’s Mental Health Resources
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Colleges around the world have become more in tune with students’ mental health needs, so it’s likely that your school has a mental health department and/or counseling program. Do a quick Google search with “YOUR SCHOOL’S NAME counseling services” and you’ll be on the right track.
You can also ask for a few referrals with contact info in case you want to find support outside your school. Oftentimes, higher ed mental health services will have a network of practitioners whom they refer students to for extended care, so you can ask directly for those phone numbers.
Hofstra’s Student Counseling Services offer both group and one-on-one sessions, and, if you’re a Hofstra student, you can make an appointment with them by calling (516) 463-6745.
- Call Your Primary Care Provider
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You can 100% call your main doctor and ask, “can I have the phone numbers for who you recommend patients to for therapy or mental health services,” and they have to give it to you! They might have you come in for an evaluation, but it’s always easier to get initial psychiatric appointments with a PCP’s (Primary Care Provider) referral. Whoever they refer is also likely to be in your insurance network, so that’s a huge bonus.
- Talk to Your Friends
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Chances are, someone in your friend group goes to therapy, and they might have a person they love that they can share! Always ask them if they’re comfortable sharing their therapist with you first, though, because there could be some conflict of interest.
Us on our way to the same therapist ⬇️
- SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline*
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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline is “a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.” The service is under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and provides referrals to local treatment facilities and support groups. This is a great way to get accurate information on all your mental health questions.
Whatever the situation, we could all use a little extra help. And some advice from us, the first step is always the right step. HCXO <3