Question 1

How do I find a therapist?

Accepted Answer

Finding a therapist can be confusing! Start first by asking people you trust or calling your college counseling center and asking for referrals. This site also has tons of therapy search engines found here.(https://www.collegementalhealthhelp.com/therapy-search-engines)  Use the resources below for more help.

https://youtu.be/hTNfayJmg9I

Question 2

Can't I just keep the therapist I have now and meet on telehealth?

Accepted Answer

Great question as this would be your best place to start! Ask your current therapist if they can meet with you while you are at school via telehealth. Their answer may depend on state licensing rules. See the video of Dr. Soboti below to learn more:

https://youtu.be/JUArBXZYCHM

Question 3

How much will therapy cost?

Accepted Answer

Therapy can be expensive, but there are many low-cost options available. Reach out to your health insurance company and explore options first. Here (https://www.collegementalhealthhelp.com/services-5)is a script to use to guide your conversation. Check out the video below for more information.
https://youtu.be/w4e_Ss9U-fo

Question 4

Will my insurance cover therapy?

Accepted Answer

It's complicated! Here is a website that can help: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/health-insurance (https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/health-insurance)
There is also a script for this on the Students/Scripts (https://www.collegementalhealthhelp.com/services-5)page of this website.

Question 5

What are in-network and out-of-network benefits?

Accepted Answer

Health insurance can be so complicated and so confusing! In-network benefits basically means the provider is part of your health insurance network, streamlining payment and often resulting in lower costs to you. Out-of-network providers do not partner with your health insurance company. Some plans will help pay when you see an out-of-network provider, some will not. Check with your health insurance provider first. Here (https://www.collegementalhealthhelp.com/services-5)is a conversation script for when you call. The video below also has more info.
https://youtu.be/_MVRUFmxZGg

Question 6

I don't even know what therapy is, where do I start?

Accepted Answer

You are not alone! Getting mental health treatment can be confusing. Thanks for using this site to help guide your journey. This video below can help with some of the basics.
https://youtu.be/czlBfgaCIg0

Question 7

Will my parents know if I start therapy?

Accepted Answer

No if you pay yourself and do not use your parent's insurance.
Yes, if you use health insurance through your parents they will likely receive and EOB (see below).

Question 8

How do I tell my parents I am have a mental health issue?

Accepted Answer

Talking to your family about mental health struggles can by scary. Since all families are different, there is no exact script for this. These websites have some great suggestions to help support you.

https://www.voicesofyouth.org/talking-mental-health-at-home

https://www.buzzfeed.com/annaborges/how-do-i-tell-my-parents-i-need-mental-health-help

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1072763217

https://mhanational.org/time-talk-tips-talking-about-your-mental-health

Question 9

What do I do if I need medication while at school?

Accepted Answer

Check first with your counseling center to see if they offer psychiatric services as about 36% o(chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.aucccd.org/assets/2020-21%20Annual%20Survey%20Report%20Public%20Survey.pdf)f college counseling directors report their center does not have psychiatric services. If yours does not, you can also check to see if other campus medical providers will write prescriptions for psychotropic meds. If none of these are an option, check back with your counseling center to get help with referrals to psychiatrists in the local area, including those that might meet remotely via telehealth. (Psychology Today, 2022)

Question 10

I have been referred to an IOP. What does that mean?

Accepted Answer

College counseling centers typically can only see students for short-term, solution-focused treatment. Because of this, if you need more intensive treatment, you might be referred to other providers . IOP stands for Intensive Outpatient Treatment. These programs typically meet for three hours per day, three days per week. Check out more here: https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2020/The-Value-of-Structured-Outpatient-Treatment (https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2020/The-Value-of-Structured-Outpatient-Treatment)

Question 11

I am worried about a friend, what can I say?

Accepted Answer

It is not uncommon for friends to have concerns about a friend's mental health. Expressing that you care and that you are here for your friend is always a great start. The website below can give you some good tips, as can the conversation script on the Students/Conversation Scripts p(https://www.collegementalhealthhelp.com/services-5)age of this website.
https://findyourwords.org/support-someone-with-depression/what-to-say/

Question 12

I am a student of color. What should I keep in mind as I look for a therapist?

Accepted Answer

Great question! Students with marginalized identities can face unique challenges and may want to partner with a therapist that specializes in treating people these identities. The video below has some great questions to ask such as "Do you have experience working with students of color?" and "How do you address intersectionality in your work?" 
 Please also look at the Students of Color page (https://www.collegementalhealthhelp.com/bipoc)for other help.

https://youtu.be/40NOoPYqZOo

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