This is part 2 of a series about navigating searching for a therapist using your insurance. Find part one, learning about your insurance coverage, here.

If your plan is an HMO with no out of network benefits, or after having considered your options you decide to restrict your search to in network providers, most of the financial information you need is likely on your card. Look for “BH” (behavioral health) or “OV” (office visit) to find your copay. This is the portion of payment you will be responsible for when you see an in-network provider.

Because you are limited to therapists in your network, It’s a good idea to start your search with a list of providers in your area who are covered under your plan. Most insurance websites allow you to search for covered mental health professionals near you. Using this tool will give you a sense of how large the pool of in-network therapists in your area is. The larger the list, the more choice you have, obviously, but also the fewer calls you may have to make to find someone who is accepting new patients and whose style, expertise, and schedule match your needs. By contrast, if the list is very small, be prepared for the therapists to have less availability and know that you might need to expand your search in terms of location, scheduling, or other therapist preferences.

Your insurance website may not include much information on the therapists themselves in their search tool – for that you may need to turn to therapist directories like Psychology Today or simply google the names that come up to find their professional websites. You can also try asking friends who have therapists they like – I have often suggested therapists for friends of patients!

Try to generate a list of a few possible therapists; if you have time restrictions (e.g. evenings only) or a small pool of in-network therapists you may need to have a longer list. If you can be flexible on time or have a very large pool of therapists from which to choose you may not need as many names.

Take some time to sit down and reach out to the therapists on your list. Some things you’ll want to ask about in your initial inquiry:

• Are they accepting new patients?
• Are they a provider for your insurance plan? (Sometimes provider directories are outdated or incorrect – it is essential to confirm network status with the therapist to avoid surprises later!)
• If you have scheduling requirements, do they have openings during the times you need?
• If you feel comfortable, you might share a very brief explanation of what you’re hoping to work on in therapy so they can determine whether they are an appropriate match for you clinically.

Once you have a match, you’re off! Bear in mind, again, that a sense of fit between therapist and patient is of utmost importance, so use the first session or two to get a feel for how well you work with the therapist you’ve chosen. If you don’t find a good match, try the process again or see the upcoming section on expanding your options.

This post was created and written in collaboration with Scott Bortle, Ph.D.