January 17, 2025

5 Important Tips for Finding a Great Behavioral Health Provider

Searching for the best behavioral health provider near you can be challenging. Make your search easier with these 5 tips.

Frame 1077241737Medically Reviewed by Dr. Fayz Yar Khan, MD FACP

Behavioral Health Provider

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Maile Keech

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Last Update on January 23, 2025

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Finding the best behavioral health provider near you may seem challenging, but it’s a very important step in getting the care you need.

Whether you are searching for therapy, medication, or specialized care, having the right provider can make an immeasurable difference in recovery.

The following are 5 important tips for selecting the best healthcare professional for your needs, understanding your insurance coverage, and getting the best levels of care.

Knowing these tips will ensure you’re better equipped to navigate your mental health journey.

Tip 1: Know What Type of Mental Health Provider You Need

Understanding the different types of mental health professionals can help you choose the right support for your specific concerns.

Common Types of Mental Health Providers:

  • Licensed Therapist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Psychologist
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
  • Physician Assistant
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • Licensed Professional Counselor
  • Marriage and Family Therapist

 

In Arizona, there are also many mental health specialists for children if you’re looking for a behavioral health provider for younger members of your family.

Therapist

Therapists provide counseling to their patients to help them deal with their emotional or psychological struggles.

They use different methods to treat problems related to stress, anxiety, and relationships.1

Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose mental illness and can prescribe medications.

They tend to work more with patients who have to take medication and see a therapist as part of their treatment.

Psychologist

Psychologists primarily focus on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders by the use of psychotherapy.2 

They might specialize in areas like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychological testing.

Tip 2: Know Who Your Insurance Will Cover

Knowing the details of your insurance coverage can save you from unexpected costs.

In-Network Providers

In-network providers are those that have an agreement with your insurance company on certain rates for the services provided in order to lower your out-of-pocket costs.

What If They’re Out-Of-Network?

Out-of-network providers are those that do not have agreements with your insurer.

Costs may be higher, but if you think that a provider out of network would be best for you, then your insurance may cover some of the fees.

Quick Tip: Confirm With Your Insurance Provider

Always check with your insurance company to verify that your provider is in-network before setting an appointment to avoid any surprise costs.

Tip 3: Determine the Level of Care You Need

Have your mental health needs assessed to establish the right level of care for you.

Outpatient Treatment: This is when you see a mental health professional on a regular basis while you continue to live your life outside of treatment. This is for those who don’t require 24-hour care, yet would benefit from the support of a mental health professional.

Inpatient Treatment: This types of treatment involves staying in a facility to receive ongoing care.* This is for acute illnesses that require immediate and intensive intervention.3

Specialized Programs: These include partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, and specialized support groups for specific disorders.

*Example: Mark realized that seeing a therapist on an outpatient basis wasn’t enough to help him navigate his extreme depression. After realizing this, he entered an inpatient program where he received intensive care and could fully focus on healing.

Tip 4: Do Your Research

Research all possible providers before selecting one.

Before you choose, look into their:

  • Education and Training: Check for appropriate qualifications.
  • Licensing and Experience: Make sure they are licensed and check how long they have been practicing.
  • Specializations: Check if they have experience or special training in the areas important to you.
  • Treatment Approaches: Learn about their approach to therapy and their general philosophy.
  • Insurance Compatibility: Make sure they take your insurance.
  • Practical Information: Find out about their location, office hours, fees, and session length.

Tip 5: Don’t Be Afraid to Switch to a Different Provider

Sometimes, you may try out a new provider and find that they don’t quite fit your needs. 

That’s perfectly okay. 

If you feel like you might respond better to a different provider, don’t be afraid to switch. 

Keep these few things in mind during your first experiences with your new mental care provider:

Trust Your Instincts: If it doesn’t feel right for you, consider other options.

Open Communication: If you are unsatisfied or uncomfortable, let your provider know. They might help by accommodating their approach or may refer you to another provider.*

Be Persistent: It pays off to be persistent in finding the right fit, even if it takes some time. The right provider can make all the difference in your journey toward mental-being.

*Example: Alex found after several sessions that his therapist’s methods weren’t working with him toward his goals. He switched to another provider who supported him better on his journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of mental health providers are there?

There are a few types of mental health providers, including therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Each specializes in different forms of care, such as therapy, medication management, or psychological testing. Because of this, it’s important to choose based on the type of service you require.

In-network providers have agreements with your insurance company, which helps lower your costs. In some instances, going out of network will not mean higher out-of-pocket costs. Your insurance may pay a portion of the costs if you use an out-of-network provider.

It certainly all depends on the severity of your condition. Less severe issues can be treated in an outpatient method, while more serious conditions are better treated in an inpatient setting where you can receive immediate and intensive support.

Pay extra attention to qualifications, experience, and specialties. Additionally, be sure to find one that accepts your insurance and meets other practical requirements, such as location, session length, and office hours.

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Key Takeaways

Get the Care You Deserve Today

Finding the right behavioral health provider is crucial for getting effective care.

These five tips can help you find the best behavioral health provider near you, understand insurance coverage, and determine when it may be time to switch providers.

Cornerstone Healing Center accepts various insurance plans, ensuring you can get the care you need without surprise expenses.

Not sure what services your insurance covers?

Our online insurance verification check makes it easy to confirm whether your insurance covers treatment. 

With this tool, you can determine what your insurance covers to avoid surprise costs. 

Our treatment team at Cornerstone Healing Center is highly dedicated to providing personalized mental health and substance abuse treatment in a kind and safe environment to help clients start their journey to recovery.

Whether you need outpatient care, specialty programs, or inpatient treatment, we are here to help you with your individualized needs every step of the way.

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Author & Reviewers

lionel estrada lisac clinical director
CLINICAL DIRECTOR & REVIEWER

Lionel is the Clinical Director of Cornerstone’s Scottsdale treatment facilities. He has had over 4 years at Cornerstone. He is personally in recovery and passionate about helping others overcome substance abuse and mental health challenges; he is trained as an EMDR, adopting a trauma-informed approach to treat the underlying issues.

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