Finding the right mental health support for your child or teen can be a critical step toward their overall well-being. Whether you are seeking help for your child or teen, understanding how to access mental health services can make the process less overwhelming. Here, we provide an overview of various resources and strategies to help you find a mental health provider who fits your family’s needs.
Start with Primary Care
You can start by reaching out to your child’s Primary Care Physician or Pediatrician, as they can often recommend trusted professionals. Additionally, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) offered through your employer may be able to connect you with mental health services for your child or teen.
Medi-Cal and Uninsured Resources
For those accessing services through Medi-Cal or who are uninsured, you can find helpful resources at community.choc.org.
Accessing Services with Commercial Insurance
If you have commercial insurance, here are some practical tips for accessing mental health care for your child or teen:
- Call multiple providers at once and request to be placed on waitlists rather than waiting for callbacks.
- Contact your insurance company directly and ask for a case manager who can assist in finding a therapist specializing in youth mental health.
- Visit your insurance provider’s website to search for in-network mental health professionals.
Understanding In-Network vs. Out-of-Network Providers
It’s important to understand the difference between in-network and out-of-network providers:
- In-network providers are contracted with your insurance company, billing your insurance directly. You may be responsible for co-pays or deductible payments.
- Out-of-network providers are not directly contracted with your insurance. If your plan includes out-of-network benefits (like PPO plans), you may need to pay upfront and seek reimbursement from your insurance company.
Helpful Websites for Finding Mental Health Providers
Helpful websites for finding mental health providers for children and teens include:
- Psychology Today – Find a therapist by entering your zip code.
- Aetna – Enter your zip code, enter or skip plan, select “Mental Health.”
- Anthem Blue Cross – Select plan, then select “Behavioral Health Resources” by plan.
- Blue Shield – Mental health resources by plan.
- Cigna – Enter zip code, select “Doctor by Type” and select “Behavioral Health Counselors.”
- HealthNet – Search behavioral health resources.
- United Healthcare – Search mental health service resources.
