Decide what kind of help you are looking for
If you want regular talk-based support, you are usually looking for a therapist, counselor, psychologist, or clinical social worker. If you want a diagnostic evaluation or to discuss medication, you are usually looking for a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. If you are not sure, a primary care provider or a psychiatric evaluation is a reasonable first appointment.
How to search by state or ZIP code
Most national directories let you filter by location, insurance, specialty, and whether the provider offers telehealth. When your state or county runs its own provider directory, that list is often more accurate about who is currently accepting patients.
Start with a radius that gives you at least ten options, then narrow by what matters most to you: insurance, evening or weekend availability, telehealth, or experience with a specific concern.
How to verify professional credentials
- Ask for the provider's license type and license number, and confirm it with the state licensing board that regulates that profession.
- Check that the license is current and has no public disciplinary history you would want to know about.
- For psychologists, you can also check the American Psychological Association's resources for how licensure works.
- Ask whether the provider is supervised or fully licensed, which is common in training clinics.
Mental Health Outreach does not verify individual practitioners. We link to official directories and organizations so you can confirm credentials yourself.
How to search by insurance network
Use your insurance company's online provider directory, then call the provider's office to confirm they are in network and accepting your specific plan. Directories are frequently out of date. When you call, ask them to confirm the plan name, the copay, whether you need a referral, and whether prior authorization is required.
How to find sliding-scale providers
Directories often have a "sliding scale" filter. You can also ask any practice directly, and ask community mental health centers and training clinics specifically. Our affordable care guide covers these options in detail.
How to find telehealth providers
Telehealth therapy and psychiatry are widely available. When you use telehealth, the provider must usually be licensed in the state where you are physically located during the appointment, so confirm that before booking. Telehealth can be a good fit for people with limited transportation, busy schedules, or few local providers.
How to find clinicians with experience in specific conditions
Look for providers who list the concern you are facing — trauma, OCD, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, or substance use, for example. Specialized training matters for some treatments: trauma-focused therapies, exposure and response prevention for OCD, and dialectical behavior therapy are examples. It is fair to ask what training and supervision the clinician has in that specific approach.
How to ask about cultural competency and accessibility
You are entitled to ask whether a provider has experience working with people of your background, language, faith, gender identity, or disability. You can ask whether interpretation services are available, whether the office is physically accessible, whether sessions can be held in your language, and whether the provider has experience with LGBTQ+ clients.
How to evaluate a provider's approach
Ask what kinds of therapy they typically use, how they set goals, how long treatment usually lasts for a concern like yours, and how they would know it is working. A good fit often has as much to do with communication style as with method. It is reasonable to have a first appointment or two and then decide.
Third-party directories are not endorsements
Sites like Psychology Today, the American Psychological Association's psychologist locator, and similar directories list providers who have registered. A listing does not mean we have evaluated the provider, and it does not guarantee that they are licensed, accepting patients, or in network with your insurance. Always confirm directly.
What to do when a provider has a waitlist
- Ask to be added to the cancellation list, and ask how often to call back.
- Ask for names of two other practices, even if they can't take you.
- Ask whether the practice has any associate clinicians or supervised interns with shorter waits.
- Widen your search radius or include telehealth providers licensed in your state.
- Contact your county behavioral health agency; they often know who has current openings.
- If your needs are urgent, call or text 988. Crisis support does not require an appointment.
Questions to ask before your first appointment
- Do you accept my insurance, and what will I owe per session?
- Do you offer a sliding scale or a self-pay rate?
- How long do sessions last and how often would we meet?
- Are you accepting new patients, and how long is the wait?
- Do you offer telehealth or evening appointments?
- What is your approach, and how do you measure progress?
- What happens if my symptoms get worse between sessions?
- How is confidentiality handled, and what are its limits?