Why is it so hard to find a therapist in NYC?
November 6, 2013 8:16 PM Subscribe
I've been trying to book an appointment for weeks, but everyone is booked up. How do you go about finding a therapist in the city?
I've been incredibly depressed following a breakup, 2 deaths in my family, and the diagnosis of my brother with schizophrenia (this is within the course of 2 years.) Additionally, I just found out I may have been molested as a child (a childhood best friend has come forward and contacted my family; our neighbor was molesting her and she believes it's a possibility for me as well, though I was too young to remember.)
This is long. Basically, I desperately want to see someone and have tried to make an appointment with a few recommendations from friends in the past few weeks--to no avail. NYC MeFites: any resources or recommendations?
I've been incredibly depressed following a breakup, 2 deaths in my family, and the diagnosis of my brother with schizophrenia (this is within the course of 2 years.) Additionally, I just found out I may have been molested as a child (a childhood best friend has come forward and contacted my family; our neighbor was molesting her and she believes it's a possibility for me as well, though I was too young to remember.)
This is long. Basically, I desperately want to see someone and have tried to make an appointment with a few recommendations from friends in the past few weeks--to no avail. NYC MeFites: any resources or recommendations?
Also, some therapists will recommend a colleague if they are booked up themselves. I know it's a lot of work, but talk to the same friends again and if applicable, give them a list of psychologists from your insurance list. You can have them ask their booked up therapists to recommend a few names, either from the insurance list or just from who they know. This is fine for you to do -- I don't know that every therapist in the world will put in the effort but certainly many do see it as part of their overall values to help people find treatment.
If that doesn't work, along with the Psych Today list you can decide to try psychiatrists or psychologists associated with universities. For example, especially if you think you might want to try medication you could call Columbia Psychiatry's referral phone line to get seen for an evaluation and referral, which (according to some googling) is 212-326-8441. FYI, I have never used this line or service and am not personally endorsing it, but it might be a place to look. Good luck.
posted by third rail at 11:10 PM on November 6, 2013
If that doesn't work, along with the Psych Today list you can decide to try psychiatrists or psychologists associated with universities. For example, especially if you think you might want to try medication you could call Columbia Psychiatry's referral phone line to get seen for an evaluation and referral, which (according to some googling) is 212-326-8441. FYI, I have never used this line or service and am not personally endorsing it, but it might be a place to look. Good luck.
posted by third rail at 11:10 PM on November 6, 2013
Resource, not recommendation:
For getting an appointment in a timely fashion for a therapist (or for a doctor) you can use ZocDoc. It works for major cities mainly and you type in your zipcode, what kind of person you want to see (includes therapist/counselor as well as psychiatrist and psychologist) and your insurance. It gives you a list of people and their availabilities. You can make the appointment online.
This is probably the single thing I recommend most on metafilter - I hate spending days calling offices to find an appointment. I'm not associated with the business.
posted by sciencegeek at 2:49 AM on November 7, 2013
For getting an appointment in a timely fashion for a therapist (or for a doctor) you can use ZocDoc. It works for major cities mainly and you type in your zipcode, what kind of person you want to see (includes therapist/counselor as well as psychiatrist and psychologist) and your insurance. It gives you a list of people and their availabilities. You can make the appointment online.
This is probably the single thing I recommend most on metafilter - I hate spending days calling offices to find an appointment. I'm not associated with the business.
posted by sciencegeek at 2:49 AM on November 7, 2013
Oddly, most NYC therapists I know have a lot of open hours. What insurance do you have and what locations do you prefer?
posted by Obscure Reference at 4:33 AM on November 7, 2013
posted by Obscure Reference at 4:33 AM on November 7, 2013
Another thing to consider... does your employer have an EAP (Employee Assistance Plan)? Many larger companies and organizations do. One thing these plans usually offer is short term counseling (usually 5-6 sessions). Both times I've utilized this service (and I am in NYC, too), I was able to get an appointment within a week. You don't get to pick from a list, but they will pair you with someone based on your issues and preferences. Once you have the name, you can do your own research. And another thing, these sessions are free, and note reported to your insurance company.
posted by kimdog at 7:03 AM on November 7, 2013
posted by kimdog at 7:03 AM on November 7, 2013
Are you trying to specifically find a therapist that's in-network for your insurance? Lots of NYC therapists don't accept insurance that way, but you can usually submit claims for reimbursement later - depending on your insurance you may get 70% or so back.
Generally speaking, a therapist search in NYC is much easier if you don't worry about insurance.
posted by Ragged Richard at 7:46 AM on November 7, 2013
Generally speaking, a therapist search in NYC is much easier if you don't worry about insurance.
posted by Ragged Richard at 7:46 AM on November 7, 2013
Yes, if you need a therapist who takes insurance, they're hard to find and can take ages to get set up with. If you need to go that route I recommend looking for community mental health centers.
Otherwise you should have no problem except paying through the nose.
posted by Salamandrous at 8:41 AM on November 7, 2013
Otherwise you should have no problem except paying through the nose.
posted by Salamandrous at 8:41 AM on November 7, 2013
Where in the city do you live/work?
posted by Salamandrous at 8:42 AM on November 7, 2013
posted by Salamandrous at 8:42 AM on November 7, 2013
Yes, if you need a therapist who takes insurance, they're hard to find and can take ages to get set up with. If you need to go that route I recommend looking for community mental health centers.
Otherwise you should have no problem except paying through the nose.
This has absolutely not been my experience. My therapist accepts many different types of insurance and has a nice, private practice office and is very accessible. I also know a lot of people who have therapy covered by insurance and aren't in a community health center situation.
It depends on the type of insurance you have, the type of therapy you want, etc, but i think too many people get scared off therapy because they think their insurance won't cover it or they'll get substandard care, but that's not the case in my experience in NYC.
posted by sweetkid at 9:19 AM on November 7, 2013
Otherwise you should have no problem except paying through the nose.
This has absolutely not been my experience. My therapist accepts many different types of insurance and has a nice, private practice office and is very accessible. I also know a lot of people who have therapy covered by insurance and aren't in a community health center situation.
It depends on the type of insurance you have, the type of therapy you want, etc, but i think too many people get scared off therapy because they think their insurance won't cover it or they'll get substandard care, but that's not the case in my experience in NYC.
posted by sweetkid at 9:19 AM on November 7, 2013
This surprises me as well. I have not had therapy in NYC, but both my young adult kids have, and they never had trouble finding a therapist.
Do you have a primary care physician whom you trust? That person should be able to refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Zocdoc looks like a good resource as well.
For one of my kids, we found a wonderful therapist through Kenwood Psyhcological Services. I think they are well worth a try.
posted by merejane at 6:14 PM on November 7, 2013
Do you have a primary care physician whom you trust? That person should be able to refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Zocdoc looks like a good resource as well.
For one of my kids, we found a wonderful therapist through Kenwood Psyhcological Services. I think they are well worth a try.
posted by merejane at 6:14 PM on November 7, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sweetkid at 8:20 PM on November 6, 2013 [2 favorites]