Talk Therapy

Starting Talk Therapy

How do I find a therapist? Fortunately, you have different options!
Here are a few to consider:

1. Ask your primary care doctor for a referral.
2. Contact your insurance directly and ask for a list of “in-network providers.” Please note, the contact # is typically on the back of your insurance card. For Medi-Cal patients (ie. full scope Medi-Cal, LA Care, etc.), please contact the Los Angeles County ACCESS Center at 1-800-854-7771, Option 1 for assistance with screenings, assessments, and referrals to counseling. If you happen to live outside of Los Angeles County, please visit the following website to locate your county's substance use disorder access line: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/
3. Consider performing online searches through online search engines such as:
   www.psychologytoday.com, www.talkspace.com, or www.betterhelp.com.
4. Ask around! Sometimes friends and family members are the most helpful in finding a provider that would be a good fit for you. You won’t know until you ask!

What things should I consider while I am looking for a therapist?

• The type of provider you are interested in working with. Here are a number of mental health providers to consider such as: psychiatrists, PsyDs, psychologists, LCSWs, and MFTs.
• Whether or not a provider accepts your insurance. It might be a good idea to ask your insurance provider what your out-of-pocket costs would be before initiating services. Remember, it is always advisable to stay with someone who is “in-network, ” as this will help keep things more cost-effective for you.
• What level of availability this provider has and if their availability compliments yours. Sometimes providers have waitlists to initiate services. Other times, providers have a full caseload and are not taking new clients. Calling around and asking is a good way to rule-out different providers.
• What populations they most commonly serve and if they have any specialties. Finding someone who specializes in a specific population you identify with (i.e., someone who has chronic health issues, someone who is recovering from addiction, etc.) will likely help you stay engaged in therapy and feel heard.
• Teletherapy vs In-Person Services. Many providers offer teletherapy services in response to COVID-19; however, many providers have also resumed in-person services. Make sure to consider which you think would fit your needs best.

Would you like more information or need more help? Ask the UCLA Substance Use Navigator team to help link you to long-term treatment centers, therapist, different recovery groups, etc.