I Can't Find A Psychologist Near Me: What Are My Options?
Updated December 02, 2019
Reviewer Elizabeth Strong
Once you decide that you would like to try talking with a psychologist, the process of finding one has just begun. There are a lot of things that go into finding the right psychologist to work with and when you're limited by location it can be difficult. This can leave you thinking, "I can't find a psychologist near me, what am I supposed to do now?"
Why It Can Be Difficult To Find A Psychologist
There are plenty of different reasons why it's so difficult to find a psychologist when you're looking to meet with one. Just know that this is not uncommon but is definitely a surmountable task! Listed below are some of the most common reasons that people struggle in their search.
Bad location
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If you live in a more rural part of the country it can be difficult to find many options when it comes to mental health services. This is also true about other health services as well. In this situation, it generally means that others, such as general practitioners, end up taking on additional roles.
However, it's important to remember that general practitioners are not the same as psychologists. While they can provide you with medication, they're unable to walk you through your therapeutic options, such as psychotherapy, which might be what you need most.
Rural areas aren't the only place where it might be hard for you to find a psychologist to meet with. It can also be difficult if you live in a large city and lack the transportation that you need to be able to get to an appointment. It might be that the psychologists in your area in close proximity don't meet the requirements of what you're looking for in a psychologist. This can make it difficult to find someone to work with.
Too expensive
Mental health services can be costly depending on who you're working with. It may be that you have a psychologist in the area that you can work with, but you can't afford the prices that they charge. While there are a lot of psychologists that are willing to work with individuals on payments such as providing a sliding scale, this isn't always the case.
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The Affordable Care Act has made improvements in affordability for some, but it has not addressed the larger issue of affordable mental health the way people were hoping. Even if you have health insurance, it doesn't mean that you're going to have coverage that works for you.
There's also a problem with there not being a lot of psychologists and health insurance companies that are working together. An article on NPR titled Frustrated You Can't Find A Therapist? They're Frustrated, Too discusses where the breakdown is occurring. Mental health professionals think that health insurance companies are keeping them from their patients. Health insurance companies think that there's a shortage of therapists. In reality, many mental health professionals don't want to work with insurance companies because they aren't paying them what they're worth. And chances are, you don't even care where the disconnect is between the health insurance companies and the psychologists. You just want to get the help that you need.
Comfort level
It can also be difficult to find a psychologist that you're comfortable with. When meeting with a total stranger the thought of sharing personal information is scary! If you have a limited number of psychologists that you can choose from, it may be hard to find one that you're comfortable really opening up to.
Thankfully with modern society, there are many options that you can turn to if you're unable to find a psychologist to work within your area.
What to do when you can't find a psychologist near you:
- Look for another type of mental health professional
Most people think of psychologists when they think of going to counseling, but there are other mental health professionals that may be able to help as well. Some psychiatrists provide options such as psychotherapy along with their other services. While this isn't always common, it could be true in your area.
There are also others that are able to provide therapy services such as social workers, counselors, and religious leaders of some organizations. These can be options for you to find therapy services that aren't provided by a psychologist.
- Hotlines or support lines
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There are also mental health hotlines that you can call if you don't have a psychologist that can talk to you and offer advice or provide resources. There are different hotlines based on the specific challenges that you're facing. For example, there's the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or Panic Disorder Information Hotline (1-800-64-PANIC).
These hotlines are staffed by employees and volunteers who are looking to help those with challenges.
- Talk to your health insurance company
If you're struggling to find a psychologist, you can also talk to your health insurance company. They can provide you with a list of psychologists that are located within your area and your coverage.
You can let your health insurance company know what type of professional you're looking for and if they specialize in something, and then your health insurance provider can do the searching for you. This is also helpful because you'll know that the results that they give you will be a psychologist who is covered under your health insurance plan.
- Find a support group
Even if you can't find a psychologist in your area, you may be able to find a local support group. Support groups can be helpful because you're meeting with a group of people who are dealing with the same type of challenges that you're facing. They understand what you're going through and can provide advice and support. Groups are helpful in letting you know that you're not alone and there are others that are struggling in the same way that you are.
While support groups are not the same as meeting with a psychologist one-on-one, you can still learn coping strategies and methods that can help you overcome your mental health challenges. And, it can feel good to offer advice and assistance to others in the group as well.
- Listen to a podcast
Podcasts are on the rise and there are plenty of podcasts around mental health topics. You can simply do an online search to find a podcast in the area that your experiencing setbacks such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or other mental health disorders.
Some of these podcasts are run by mental health professionals while others are put on by people who are living with mental challenges themselves. Make sure that you do your research and remember that simply listening to a podcast is not the same as having specific one-on-one advice from a trained psychologist.
- Online therapy
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Online therapy is another option if you're unable to find a psychologist near you. When you take the services online it removes all physical barriers as long as you have access to on your phone, computer or other mobile devices.
This also allows you to find an online psychologist with a specialty that you're looking for. However, there are some limitations when it comes to online services. Some mental disorders and other issues require types of therapy that are most beneficial when done in person. However, there are many instances when online therapy is both easier to access and effective.
If you're interested in online therapy, you can start searching for the right therapist with Regain today.
- Check out online resources
Just like you're reading this blog post right now, there are plenty of online resources for mental health. Searching online for treatment options for the experience that you're going through can lead you to helpful tips and strategies that you can do on your own.
For example, self-care is very important and can make a big difference in your mental health. Things like making sure that you are eating right, exercising, and getting enough rest can go a long way in helping you to gain control of your mental challenges.
There are also other forms of alternative treatment that you can benefit from. As you find these resources, make sure that you're paying attention to who is providing them. It's best to know that the resources that you're accessing along with the information in them is being provided by someone who fully understands and has experience in the topic that they're talking about.
Don't give up your search
If you're struggling and thinking "I can't find a psychologist near me", don't give up. There are plenty of different options that you can access including an online psychologist to speak with. It's definitely worth your time and effort to getting help. If you really feel stuck in finding the right options for you, reach out to others in your life that you know have been through something similar and see what has worked for them.
