Guide for Behavioral Health Resources

Possible suggestions to find an individual, couples or family therapist during these times when many therapists have limited availability:

• Call your insurance company or check their website to obtain a list of the behavioral health providers in your area covered by your insurance. 
• Also check your out-of-network benefits, as this can potentially expand your options. 
• If you do not have insurance, there are therapists that might reduce their fees, interns who may charge a lower fee, or community mental health centers that work on a sliding scale based on your ability to pay. 
• Ask your primary care provider or any trusting medical provider for referrals.  
• If you contact a mental health provider and they do not have any availability, ask if they have a waiting list and if you can add your name to it. Call back as it is not uncommon for a therapist’s schedule to change and for an opening to become available unexpectedly. You can also ask the therapist if they know of any colleagues who are taking new patients.
• Psychology Today at psychologytoday.com is a good resource to find providers in your area. You can obtain information from the website about a therapist’s location, credentials, areas of specialty, fee structure and treatment modality.
• You may be able to get an appointment through a local college or university clinic. These on-campus outpatient clinics are staffed by clinicians in training who are being supervised by senior clinicians. For example, Fairfield University has the Kaslow Center, in which advanced graduate students, under the supervision of professional faculty and supervisors, provide clinical services to individuals, couples and families from the community. Their number is (203) 254-4000, ext. 2306.