Thank you!

[MEmama]

Thank you!

Edited December 21, 2020 by MEmama

[YaelAldrich]

I wish I could tell you this was easy but if you're going to use a therapist that takes your insurance is going to be difficult. Since coronavirus has changed the rules for telehealth, therapists can be anywhere in the state and treat people. So most therapists are fully booked. Call or go to your insurance's website and search for therapists (specifying needs if you can) and just start making calls. You can ask your physician but those therapists are likely booked solid. Put your child in any waiting lists so at some point they can be seen. And pray they'll have a good relationship and will be helpful.

[popmom]

You can do that. I happened to know a couple of families who had children with struggles similar to what my children were going through. I asked them for recommendations. That helped so much.

ETA: None of my kids' providers file insurance. We have gone into debt more than once to get the treatment needed. The providers are very good about giving me the correct forms so that I can file myself. So we get some of the money back--eventually.

Edited December 21, 2020 by popmom

[Acadie]

That's a great place to start--they might give you a list of several practitioners in the area. If not, you can search for online reviews and/or ask friends for suggestions. 

Once you have a few possibilities, you may want to see if they are in network for your insurance. Our copays are 10% of the usual rate, so it makes a huge difference over time to have someone in-network.

Then you'll need to see who is accepting new patients and seems like a good fit. Go into the first appointment with the mindset that you're looking for a good fit, and may need to give it 2-3 tries before deciding (unless it's a definite no). Finding the right person can make all the difference.

[Pen]

See if local public high school has counselor (or anyone similar) who knows of therapists particularly good with teen boys with similar issues

[Katy]

With kid/teen issues I’d look for a cognitive behavioral therapist who accepts your insurance. 

[Just Kate]

Double and triple check that the therapist you try is in-network for your insurance plan. 
 

My situation...back in the summer, I received an email from my insurance that they were covering 100% any telehealth appointment for mental health through the end of September.  I have always struggled with anxiety but it was bad during the summer, partially due to my dh’s unemployment. Free counseling sounded amazing so I gave it a try. After one appointment, I decided that I didn’t really care for telehealth personally and just dropped the idea of seeing a therapist. Imagine my surprise when I got a $275 bill! I have gone back and forth with the counseling place and my insurance, but my insurance is claiming they are out of network. Ugh...I finally gave up fighting and decided to pay. I thought I did my homework in advance, but at this point I’m tired of fighting. It is just ironic that I tried counseling only because it was covered at 100% and I was struggling with anxiety due to financial issues...and I ended up with a $275 bill. So do your homework and make sure the therapist is in-network. 

[Acadie]

There may be changes from year to year, so make sure they're in network for both 2020 and 2021, if applicable.

A practitioner with a focus on resilience can also be a great choice for teens. 

[Splash1]

I've done this multiple times.  It takes a bit of work to find someone.  I got names from our pediatrician to start and also our nephrologist's social worker.  I also go to our insurance website and look up names of who is on our plan, who does cognitive behavioral therapy, who has experience working with kids with chronic life threatening illness, trauma, etc.  Then I go to psychology today and start reading profiles and compile a list of people to call and begin making calls.  After talking to multiple people on the phone I pick one or two to have an initial consult with to see if they might be a match.  We've had ineffective therapists, awful therapist, decent therapists and excellent therapists.  Don't stick with someone if you're not comfortable or you don't see any progress.  I rarely ever get someone who is in network for us and if I do (like our current one) they end up not being in network after about a year.   An excellent on though is worth every penny.

 

[Acadie]

Just wanted to offer some encouragement by saying we've always been able to find excellent practitioners in network. That's not to say all in-network providers are good (they're not!) and I'm sure it varies considerably by insurance plan and region. 

[MEmama]

Thank you for all the suggestions!

It's hard to ask for specifics when I don’t know yet what we need, but this is a great start. I appreciate all the input.