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How to find a therapist or psychiatrist

Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, board-certified psychiatrist and the reviewer of this article.

Reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA·Updated March 15, 2026·About 6 minutes

The hardest part of getting care is often the first phone call. The directories and steps below are the ones we point patients to most often. None is an endorsement. None is exhaustive. Use the one that fits your situation and your insurance. If you are unsure whether your symptoms warrant a visit, see when should I see a doctor for depression.

Step 1: Decide what kind of clinician you want

A therapist provides psychotherapy and is usually a psychologist (PhD or PsyD), a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), a licensed professional counselor (LPC or LMHC), or a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). Therapists in most states do not prescribe medication.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who evaluates, diagnoses, and prescribes medication. Some psychiatrists also provide psychotherapy. Many do not.

A psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and, in many states, a physician assistant in psychiatry (PA) can also evaluate and prescribe.

A primary care clinician can prescribe first-line antidepressants and is often the right starting point if access to psychiatry is limited.

Step 2: Use a directory matched to your situation

If you have insurance: Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask for a list of in-network behavioral health providers. This is the fastest way to filter by what your plan covers.

If you do not have insurance, or your plan is limited: SAMHSA's findtreatment.gov lists publicly funded and sliding-scale treatment providers nationwide.

If you want a directory you can search by specialty: Psychology Today's Find a Therapist is the largest public-facing directory of therapists in the United States. Listings can be filtered by issue, insurance, and location.

If you are looking for a psychiatrist specifically: The American Psychiatric Association's Find a Psychiatrist directory is a starting point. Many psychiatrists are not listed in directories, and word of mouth or a referral from a primary care doctor often works better.

If you are looking for telepsychiatry: Several practices offer multistate telepsychiatry for depression where clinically appropriate, including shrinkMD.

Disclosure (FTC § 255). shrinkMD is a multistate telepsychiatry practice operated by an affiliate of shrinkMD Publishing Inc., which publishes this site. The editor of this site, Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, is the founder of shrinkMD and has a financial interest in it. shrinkMD is listed here as one of several resources, not as a recommendation. The site receives no fee, commission, or referral revenue for listing shrinkMD or any other practice.

A short list of other telepsychiatry options, listed alphabetically, that you may want to compare:

  • Brightside Health. Online psychiatry and therapy for depression and anxiety, with measurement-based care and a separate crisis care program.
  • Cerebral. Online mental health platform offering medication management, therapy, and counseling on a subscription model.
  • Talkspace Psychiatry. Online psychiatric evaluation and medication management, in-network with several major insurers.

None of the practices above is endorsed by DepressionResource.org. State availability, insurance coverage, and clinical scope vary by practice. Confirm current availability and fit with each practice directly.

If you need a low-cost option: Community mental health centers and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) provide care on a sliding scale. Find one near you at hrsa.gov/get-care.

If you are a student: Most colleges and universities offer free short-term counseling through a student health or counseling center.

If you are a veteran: The VA Mental Health Services line is 1-800-273-8255. Veterans Crisis Line is 988, then press 1.

Step 3: Make the first call

A reasonable script: "I am looking for help with depression. Are you currently taking new patients? Do you take [insurance], or what is your self-pay rate? When is the earliest appointment available?"

If the first call does not work out, the second often does. Most people call several clinicians before they find one.

Step 4: What a first visit looks like

A first visit with a therapist or psychiatrist usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. The clinician will ask about current symptoms, history, family history, medical history, medications, substances, sleep, and safety. A first visit is an evaluation. Treatment plans are made from there.

When to use a higher level of care

If thoughts of suicide include intent or a plan, if you cannot keep yourself safe, or if you have psychosis or mania, call 988 or go to an emergency department. Outpatient care is for stable situations. Same-day care exists for everything else.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a therapist that is a good fit?
Start with the type of help you want (therapy, medication, or both), then narrow by insurance, location or telehealth availability, and area of focus. Most therapists offer a brief consultation call. The fit between you and the therapist is one of the strongest predictors of how well therapy works.
How is a therapist different from a psychiatrist?
A therapist provides talk therapy. Psychiatrists are physicians (MD or DO) who can diagnose, prescribe medication, and often provide therapy. Psychologists (PhD or PsyD) hold doctorates in psychology and provide therapy and psychological testing. LCSWs, LMFTs, and LPCs are master's-level licensed therapists.
What if I cannot afford therapy?
Options include sliding-scale therapists, community mental health centers, federally qualified health centers, training clinics at universities, employee assistance programs (EAPs), and online directories that filter by sliding scale. Open Path Collective and Inclusive Therapists list lower-fee options. Your state's 211 line can help locate local resources.
Should I see a therapist in person or by telehealth?
Both are effective for most people with depression. Telehealth widens access, especially in areas with few clinicians. In-person care can help when the home environment is a barrier, when you want a quiet space outside the house, or when telehealth is not a fit for technical or comfort reasons.
What questions should I ask a new therapist?
Ask about training, experience with depression, the type of therapy they practice, expected length of treatment, fees and insurance, what a typical session looks like, and how they handle a crisis. A clinician should welcome these questions on a first call.
How long does therapy take to work?
For evidence-based therapies for depression (CBT, behavioral activation, interpersonal therapy), most people see meaningful change in 12 to 20 sessions. Some people benefit from longer, especially with chronic patterns or trauma. If there is no change at all by the eighth session, it is a reason to discuss the plan with the therapist or seek a second opinion.

Reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA. Last reviewed March 15, 2026.

Every clinical page on DepressionResource.org is written in plain language, dated, and reviewed by a board-certified psychiatrist against current clinical guidelines. See our editorial standards and medical review process.