I have some questions about getting therapy as a youth or young adult
Finding therapy for teens or young adults can be challenging, and you may have some questions about how to both get and pay for therapy.
How do I find therapy for youth or young adults?
First you want to start out by learning if you have health insurance. If you’re under 18, you will most likely need to ask your parents/guardians. If you are over 18, check to see if you pay for healthcare benefits through your job. You can also look into whether you are still on your parent’s/guardian’s health insurance (if you’re under 26), or if you are in college, you can see what insurance is offered by your school. If you’re a youth, your school counselor may also be able to help. If you're on disability, unemployed, low-income, or need an individual health insurance plan, you can check if you have access through Medicaid, Medicare, or your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace too.
If you have health insurance, mental health is likely covered. You can find out how much your co-pay (the amount of money you pay per visit) is by looking on your health insurance card or calling your health insurance company’s behavioral health number for more information. Finding an in-network professional may cost significantly less than paying out of pocket (ie. without insurance). Co-pays typically are anywhere between $0-50 per session, often landing around the $20-30 range. If spending that every week is too much, you can also ask to see your therapist every other week (or once per month, though this is less common).
How can I find a therapist for youth or young adults near me?
You can also use a website like Psychology Today or Therapy Den to look for therapists in your area. These websites can be helpful if you're looking for someone who does work in a particular field, or if you have a diagnosis that would be important for a professional to have a background working in, as you can narrow down by specialty (trauma, OCD, sexuality therapists, etc.). Similarly, you can also find therapists who specialize in LGBTQ issues, who work with people with Autism or ADHD, therapists of color, or who do online therapy specifically. You’ll be able to learn more about the therapist right on the page, including the type of insurance they take, and often you’ll be able to send a message directly to them so you can ask them more questions and schedule a “meet and greet” call.
Check out some of our other blogs for more information about finding specialized support
Where can I get help for my sexual thoughts about children (as an adult)?
Where can I find counseling for youth to address concerning sexual behaviors?
How can I afford therapy as a youth or young adult?
Unfortunately, money is tight for many individuals and their families right now. This is a challenge, and the answers won’t work for everyone. If you don’t have health insurance and aren’t in university, there still may be other options available to you!
First, you can use a search engine to look for “local mental health clinics” near “City, State.” Many mental health clinics can offer low-cost, sliding-scale based fees (based on your/your family’s income), or pro-bono (free) support. Reaching out to a local mental health clinic can help you figure out what other options you may have locally for this type of help. If you have a therapist in mind you’d like to work with, you can also ask them if they do “sliding-scale based fees.”
For those seeking support after sexual abuse, see our Blog: Where can youth find help after sexual abuse? The National Center for Victims of Crime is an additional resource for people who need support because they were a victim of crime. They may provide financial resources to someone who cannot afford support on their own after experiencing a crime.
I can’t find a therapist for youth or young adults near me. Are there other options?
The COVID pandemic opened up new possibilities for many people, as more therapists moved their practices fully or partially online. Currently, many therapists continue to offer the option of online therapy, though not all do. Psychology Today has a search tool to narrow down by zip code, speciality, and whether they do in-person or online therapy. You can also look for therapists in your state but not near you (like near a big city if you’re more rural) and reach out to them to ask if they offer therapy online, or if they know a colleague who does similar work and who also offers online therapy. Your health insurance may also be able to connect you with in-network online and virtual options.
Quick answers for practical concerns about therapy for youth or young adults:
If you have health insurance, start there. Ask your parent/guardian to seek out a specialist or call your health insurance company to ask for someone in network
You can also ask your health insurance company how much the co-pay is: often it is somewhere between $0-50 per session
If you have a job, see if you’re paying for health benefits
If you’re in university/college, ask the Counseling Center or go to University Services to find out how to get connected to a therapist
If you are still in high school, you can talk to your school counselor (it’s free!) and also ask them for local resources too
If you’re in the US and 26 or under, you may still be able to be on your parent’s health insurance to get care
If you need individual health insurance, you can apply through your state’s healthcare marketplace.
If you're on disability or are low-income, you may be able to qualify for Medicare and/or Medicaid.
If you don’t have health insurance, see if you can connect with a therapist who does sliding-scale based fee work (you will pay based on your income) or pro-bono (free) work
Use online tools like Psychology Today and Therapy Den to find local therapists
Look for local mental health clinics near you to find low-cost therapy
I had a bad experience in therapy before, should I try again?
Just like you won’t like every person you meet who likes your same hobby, not every therapist you encounter may be a good fit for you. That’s not to minimize your experience. If you had a scary, invalidating, or traumatic experience in therapy, it can naturally feel difficult to think about trusting someone with your own personal experiences again. However, if you have something you need to talk through with a therapist — a mental health concern, a sexual behavior concern, a relationship issue — there are ways to find someone who be a better fit for you.
It’s okay to take your time and choose someone whose experience and personality fits with yours. If you get through a few sessions and don’t feel like you “click,” it’s okay to continue your search. Therapy is for you and working with someone who has the right training, knowledge, and who you will feel safe opening up to is key.
For more information on how to find a therapist, take a look at this resource guide from our companion site, Stop It Now!, which includes articles about finding a therapist and questions to ask as you go about finding a good match.
You can also reach out to WhatsOK’s helpline for more information.
