I am sorry that you have had this experience; perhaps it is just a fluke in your immediate geographic area. I DO know that getting an initial appointment can be tough, BUT it's also a pretty accurate indicator of how many people are in need of therapy! I have no idea as to why you say their hours are only 9-2. That is NOT my experience and I'm sure it's not the case with EVERY practice in your area.

The biggest drawback in finding a therapist "that takes your insurance" is that while most newly certified therapists start out as part of a group practice, the MAJORITY of them eventually leave and go into private practice. And, at least in my area (Baltimore-Washington corridor) most of them do not accept insurance - or at least, they don't bill insurance companies directly.) Read your insurance policy carefully -- and if you don't find a definitive answer, CALL! I have BlueCross/Blue Shield insurance (one of the big, national ones) and the % of coverage is less for an out of network provider is a bit less than in-network, there IS still coverage! My therapist sees me as a private client, so insurance doesn't come into play at all. HOWEVER, I can WRITE OFF the cost on my INCOME TAXES at the end of the year.

I simply can NOT put a price on my mental health. If it weren't for my therapist, there is NO DOUBT in my mind that I would be doing 99 years to life on two counts of Homicide -- my X and the OW! And even though I am over 4 years post final divorce, I still see my therapist on an "as needed" basis and just went for an "emergency tune-up" this week!

IF you or anyone who reads this is TRULY IN CRISIS, call 911 or your local CRISIS HOTLINE. If you are feeling suicidal, BE HONEST ABOUT IT -- most hospitals are equipped to handle such situations Daily Strength also has links for such situations! Please, please, please VALUE YOUR LIFE and do whatever is necessary to help yourself!

Sending you positive thoughts for strength and tenacity!

I too was in a situation similar to yours when I first was trying to get in to see someone. Unfortunately it is not as easy as getting in to see a new doctor. Call around in your area and find some group that has some evening hours. I did find a group that had some evening hours and my mental health has improved a great deal with my therapist. Please do not give up and keep searching to find someone with hours that works for you. Ask your medical doctor for help in finding someone. I highly recommend Divorce Care - free group therapy about the issues about divorce. My group was great and 4 of us still see each other weekly and share our divorce issues. I have also joined a Meet up group on divorce- check online for one in your area. Again a free group that meets to talk about divorce issues. Reach out to family also - you need someone to talk to until you have therapy lined up. Best of luck and hugs to you!

I have had problems getting appointments for my daughter. Her GP noticed she was depressed. Recommended if it didn't change in 2 weeks to get her evaluated. Two weeks went by so I called back. Got recommendations, none took our insurance so I called the insurance company. They gave three (maybe 4) references. Only two of those took adolecents and of those two one was on maternity leave. The other said they didn't do the evaluation only treatment so we had to call a different dr to get the evaluation which takes three appointments. Of course they are booked so we had to wait for the first appoinment. Finally got that one then two weeks went by before they would schedule for the testing. Their excuse: The insurance company hasn't given us approval. Which is BS because I had that before calling and making the appointment in the first place. We finally got the testing done this week. Said it would be another 5 days before the report is done and then we meet for the results. Long story short: From the time her GP recommended we see someone until the evaluation 6 weeks! It is frustrating trying to get help in a timely manner.

Misred, thank you for sharing your experience and it all goes back to the current state of health care in this country of ours! (don't get me started)...

Yes, the process is frustrating if your finances don't allow for using a therapist that is not covered by insurance, BUT at least you had the tenacity to keep after it and ultimately get the results you needed.

Finding a good therapist often takes a lot of time and effort and it's never cheap. But the end result is always worth it. Unfortunately, too many people are intimidated by the "system" and give up way too soon. I am sending prayers for TENACITY to anyone who is in this situation -- and KUDOS to YOU for your perseverence!

One other comment I would like to make here is about having the therapist "give you the brush off" and "not giving up."

Too many folks head into therapy looking for a quick fix or easy answers. There are no QUICK FIXES or EASY ANSWERS when it comes to working through our issues. By the same token, too many people run away from therapy when they start hearing things THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR! Anyone who is living in a state of denial is NOT a good candidate for therapy to begin with and this is equally frustrating to the professional!

Therapy is HARD WORK -- VERY HARD WORK -- I would drag myself into sessions and leave totally exhausted. And then I had to drive nearly an hour home! But it was WELL WORTH THE EFFORT!

I maintain that you will only get out of it what you are willing to put into it. It's the old "you can lead a horse to water" thing and my therapist has told me horror stories about how some of her clients come in for sessions and when they are over, SHE IS TOTALLY EXHAUSTED AND WORN OUT. I can see how that is possible, and she has cut back on her private client caseload because of it. She gave herself an ulcer about 6 months ago -- so that's testimony that Therapists Are People, Too!

The other "soapbox" item I forgot to mention in my earlier post is that not only is the current state of health care in this country in serious doo doo, it is also a sad statement about the NUMBER OF PEOPLE who are truly suffering because of emotional illness, dysfunction and stress! It's not just our health care system that needs to make some changes -- IT'S THE WAY WE ARE LIVING!

Hello , I checked into the emergency room a couple of times at 3:00 or 4:00 am . Do to ..I just couldn't deal with everything. ( AT THAT TIME . Not NOW. ) My wife left me... her family was gone....... Veit nam Dreams.
all alone.... Was just to much....
They admited me with my insurance (Blue cross /Blue shield.) at the time . Then they found help for me.. Thet set me up with therapist. I Think that I got faster results using the emergency room . I know that they say not to, but I needed the help ....
Good Luck ... God Bless.
Timeman

Timeman:
I am curious...when you wrote: "... I Think that I got faster results using the emergency room . I know that they say not to, but I needed the help .... " WHO IS THEY?

Therapists carry a huge burden of responsibility and went to school a long time to be qualified. Like any professional, there are good and there are the not so good. The group practice my therapist is in, most work a few days a week until 8 or 9 pm so people can see them after work, and often will meet with people at 7 am before work .A therapist in the practice is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and they rotate so there is help available. Many are available by cell phone if you do not abuse it! Insurance companies and managed care dictate the rates that they charge, as in any insurance deal. Insurance companies also control what insurance they can take or not take... that is why you often have a hard time getting an appointment, they can not pick and choose who they can see, but you can pick a therapist. My therapist helps people and if they are not insured, he works out a very reasonable payment. I believe for most of us, professional therapy is a good solution if you can afford it. Many of us fall through the cracks also, we don't have coverage and yet we are not eligible for any "free benefits". Someone I work with just told me, I don't have to worry, the goverment pays for all my insurance... GREAT! Although I pay 354 a month on my own, in this state if you buy your own insurance, there is no mental health benefits, the insurance companies do not have to underwrite it!

I do not recommend anyone go to an emergency room for mental health issues unless they are sucidal and desperate. IF you do have insurance, your deductible is may be so high you could pay 1500 for that visit. I pay for my own insurance and the emergency room is an expensive option. Timeman you are a vet and maybe that is why you got help and if I remember right, you were committed for a short time. That is extreme circumstances, and if they hospitalized you, you may have reached your max deductible and you did not have to pay anything out of pocket. If anyone here is in dire need of mental health care, please look into a help line, who will find you someone to talk to you, and or a referral you can afford or free. Therapy is a good option for anyone who is in a life changing or crisis, divorce for most is just that.

MSTEREY:
In response to what you have offered here: "IF you do have insurance, your deductible is may be so high you could pay 1500 for that visit. I pay for my own insurance and the emergency room is an expensive option." I offer the following:

A DEDUCTIBLE is a DEDUCTIBLE...whether it's $500, $1,500 or (like mine) $2,500 -- yes, a trip to the ER could be an expensive option BUT if your mental health (or that of a covered loved one) is in serious jeopardy, IT IS WELL WORTH THE COST!

In addition, that really sucks that your state doesn't mandate mental health coverage for the self-insured. I gripe all the time about the high rate of Maryland taxes, but I am also self-pay and there is that kind of coverage with the CareFirst/Blue Cross plan I am on.

Well thank you all for the advice it will come in handy as i continue to look for a therapist.........Just frustrating is all.

Yes and with the experience I had getting my D help I wonder how many people who need the help are not able to muster the energy to keep calling. I made a whole lot of phone calls. Waited a couple of days for some to call back too. If I was depressed and making those calls I probably would of given up. Good luck hun

I did give up the first time. I had this one man who came highly recommended and he never returned my call. I thought I could make it on my own. Finally several months later I called and he happened to answer the phone. I got my appt. and I have been with him ever since.

I don't know if the message was erased or what happened but I tried that last time and made it into his office. He was the best therapist I could have had for what I was going thru with my ex.

Many Hospitals have seperate Mental Health Centers. I have been going to the same center for 5 years. They handle all my medication and I also see a therapist in the same center. They offer many other services also. For me I didn't have to be referred, I called and had an appointment the next day. I may be lucky, but my therapist has changed three times and I have liked each one of them.
I think the support of the entire center has helped me.
Call your local hospitals and see if they have these services also.

again thanks all ,many options you have given me that i had not even considered......your the best.