Taking the first step towards a healthy mental state can be challenging and scary at first. Sometimes, it can feel like you're alone if you’ve never done it before. My advice to you is to just remember that you are never alone and that many people struggle with their mental health. I have been on both sides of the coin. I have been the one that feels scared to reach out when I’m struggling with my own mental health but I have also been the one that works on the front end of a psychiatrist's office where I’m assisting people in making appointments with our psychiatrists and therapists.
Since I’ve been on both sides, I wanted to share some tips that will hopefully help you to feel more confident when scheduling your first appointment!
Know your medical history (Both physical and mental). It is important to know your own medical history because this will help the process be most efficient when seeing a psychiatrist or therapist. Sometimes, mental health conditions can also occur from physical conditions. Knowing this history can help your provider get you all of the care that you may need.
Obtain records (from previous providers), if applicable. This can be helpful if you have already seen other providers because it can give the psychiatrist or therapist insight into some of your current diagnoses and possible medications that you have taken or are currently taking.
Check with your insurance. Sometimes your insurance can help you find someone based on your plan. You also want to understand what you may pay before scheduling.
Make sure to understand each office protocol when becoming a new patient. All will be different and some may require paperwork before scheduling.
Use the website PsychologyToday. This is such a great resource for getting specialized providers and information in the specific areas that you may need/want.
Note: It is okay to “therapist shop.” This just means that it is okay to not stay with a certain therapist or psychiatrist if you don’t feel like it works for you. You will be challenged at times with your therapist, but if you feel flat out uncomfortable sharing things, then it probably isn’t a good fit. You should find one that is the best fit for your needs and feel okay telling them your struggles. You are not meant to please the therapist and they should not be offended if you don’t mesh with them. Therapists and psychiatrists are humans too and are not meant to be perfect. It is okay if you don’t work well with every therapist or psychiatrist.
Take some notes about symptoms that you have been experiencing and anything that worries you or makes you feel uncomfortable. Bring this into your appointment. It may help having everything written down in case you get nervous and forget what you may want to say in the initial appointment.
Make sure to take your provider’s card or information down when you leave the appointment to know the best way to contact them. Some providers give out their cell number, while others may have an office phone. Some only have certain hours that they answer their phone while others may have an emergency line that works 24 hours a day.
A piece of advice that a previous therapist shared with me was: Make sure that you always feel comfortable, safe, and pleasant when seeing a therapist or psychiatrist. I feel that this is honestly one of the most important pieces of advice that you can take with you throughout your journey of finding the right mental health professional for your needs.
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