Life in New York City can be stressful. The cost of living is high, commutes to work are often long, jobs tend to be high pressure, and both individuals and the economy are still reeling from COVID-19.
In fact, New Yorkers say stress levels are slightly above the national average, citing problems like money, work and the economy as sources of stress and lack of time. Key barriers to making healthy lifestyle changes.
With all the pressures of big city life, finding a therapist in New York City can be an additional challenge. When you’re short on time, even starting your search for a therapist can seem daunting, so we’ve put together some tips on how to find a therapist in NYC.
Search for referrals or use matchmaking to find a therapist in New York City
Referrals or referrals from friends, family, colleagues, or other members of your community can be invaluable when looking for a therapist. If you feel comfortable, ask your friends or colleagues if they have seen a therapist or have seen a therapist before and see if they can make recommendations. If you’re part of a community or organization, they will sometimes have lists or resources to share about finding LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, or subculture therapists.
While recommendations can be a good way to find a therapist, just because a therapist is a great match for your friends or roommates doesn’t mean they’ll be the best fit. you — and when it comes to therapy, fit is incredibly important. That’s where matchmaking can come in handy.
For example, MyWellbeing uses a careful matching process to ensure you are paired with the most compatible match. We review:
-
Logical factors such as fees, location and availability
-
Technical (e.g. would you benefit more from working with someone who uses a specific, goal-oriented approach or a more flexible, insight-driven approach?)
-
Personality factors (such as extroversion, warmth and outspokenness, etc.)
-
Expertise (make sure a therapist specializes in working with relevant issues and demographics)
We then send you three recommendations to greatly reduce selection fatigue and ensure that you can speak to your provider(s) during a free phone consultation so you have a way of assessing low-risk coverage.
Therapy in New York City can be expensive, so think about your budget
We know: therapy can be expensive. The average cost of a therapy session in New York City is $200, which is higher than the national average.
That being said, Therapy is an investment in yourself. And when it comes to self-care, not going to therapy can cost more than going to therapy.
Do you know how much you spend on utilities each month? Food? Register? If you don’t know what you’ve spent relative to what you’ve earned, it can be difficult to determine how much more you might be spending more on things like therapy, but budgeting can be helpful.
Whether you choose a classic budget, track all your expenses and income, or separate your spending into groups, taking the time to create a budget can help you organize your finances, prioritize spending and managing debt, thus allowing you to make progress toward your long-term financial goals — such as going to therapy.
And if the out-of-pocket costs are still too high, don’t forget to ask your potential therapist if they offer it a sliding scale, or a flexible fee based on financial need. Through a sliding scale, therapists work with clients to figure out a price they can afford.
Willingness to see an out-of-network therapist in NYC
If you’re looking for a therapist, you might think you can find one the same way you find a primary care doctor — by purchasing your insurance.
But it’s really common for the best therapists not to accept insurance, especially in cities like New York. Here are some reasons why mental health practitioners are less likely to have coverage in the system:
-
Before a therapist can be reimbursed in-network, they need to join an insurance company board, which can be difficult.. Applications require a lot of paperwork, doctors have to apply to each insurance company separately, and insurance companies don’t always accept therapists’ applications to join the network. their grid (this is less of a reflection of the therapist’s quality, and more likely because the insurance company closed apps in specific zip codes or regions if they were “oversaturated”).
-
It’s hard to earn a living wage as an in-network therapist. The average reimbursement rate is much lower than the average fee charged by therapists. In New York City, the average reimbursement for therapists can be less than a quarter of the average fee.
-
Joining the network gives the insurance company a voice in your interest. Your insurance company may stop paying for your treatment if they decide it is not “medically necessary”. They may only pay when you are “in crisis” or only cover the first few sessions. Therapists must also provide them with a “diagnosis” and reasons for using specific treatments, and the disorder they diagnose must also be a covered disorder. If you’re seeking therapy for something other than a diagnosable condition or you’re getting treatment for something like self-development, using in-network coverage can make Finding care becomes more difficult.
-
Seeing a network provider may not save you money (and may actually cost you more). If your plan has a high deductible, you may have to pay out-of-pocket for the therapy for several weeks or months before your insurance covers any costs. Even then, the copay can be quite high for in-network coverage.
If you search outside of your insurance company’s network, you’ll find more therapists who are available and tailored to your needs. But even though your insurance won’t cover the full cost of out-of-network care, you can still use your coverage to reduce treatment costs with out-of-network benefits, allowing you to use your insurance to pay for care from therapists who are not in the network with your insurance company. Based on your specific plan, your insurance company may cover part of the cost of seeing a therapist who is not in your insurance network.
Once you have a list of potential therapists and you know your budget, it’s time to connect with the therapists on your list.
New Yorkers lack time; We know that! But we don’t want your hard work compiling a list of potential therapists to go to waste. Once you have your list of names and budget considerations, here are a few things to do to get started:
-
Think about what you want to say in therapy. Would you like to talk about your job, relationships, family, future and/or past? Do you want to learn how to deal with anxiety or are you wondering if there may be a diagnosis in your future? Start putting language into your thoughts and feelings, by journaling, jotting down some notes, speaking out loud to yourself, or chatting with someone close to you to better understand your needs. .
-
Your settings Free phone consultation. Getting a feel for your chemistry with a therapist is an important step in choosing a therapist you want to continue with, and a free phone consultation is a great way to start feeling fit. fit.
-
After you have selected a therapist, Get ready for your first session. Your first session is similar to the first time you meet anyone new. Even though you’ve had a phone consultation, you’ll most likely spend the first part of your session getting to know each other better.
For step-by-step assistance, See our ultimate guide to starting therapy.
Living in New York City can be difficult, but finding a therapist in NYC doesn’t have to be
When life gets so fast-paced, finding a therapist can sometimes get pushed to the bottom of your ever-growing to-do list, and with the high cost of living in New York, it can seem overwhelming. care can create a dent too big in you. Bank account. But if you’re thinking of seeing a therapist, you’re probably ready, so take the time to scour that list of potential therapists, review your budget, and decide how you can afford it. invest and set up initial phone consultations. We promise it will be easier than a visit to Penn Station.
