4 Common Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Treatment and Ways to Address Them
If you are struggling with your mental health, finding a therapist can feel like a monumental task. There are a lot of steps that can be difficult to navigate when you are already feeling overwhelmed or in a crisis state. We’ve been there too, and we see you. Having a better understanding of the process of finding a therapist can help.
At Crisis Connections, we have several programs designed to offer emotional support over our call/text/chat lines. Our services are not meant as a replacement for mental health counseling to those who want access to it, but we are here for you every day, 24 hours a day, and outside of therapists’ office hours.
Many of our callers are looking to connect with long-term treatment, and a number of obstacles can make that intimidating. Here are some tips for navigating four common obstacles we see:
- I don’t know where to start.
- I can’t afford this.
- I don’t know how to find a therapist I trust or who can help me.
- None of the therapists I like are available right now.
- I don’t know where to start.
There are a lot of elements involved in looking for the right therapist—it gets overwhelming, fast. The process for finding a therapist varies from person, but here are some things to consider to help you narrow down your search.
- Identify what you want to work on in therapy.
- Different therapists specialize in different areas of mental health care; understanding the kind of support you are looking for can help you find the right therapist for you, and for both of you to know what to start to work on.
- Different therapists specialize in different areas of mental health care; understanding the kind of support you are looking for can help you find the right therapist for you, and for both of you to know what to start to work on.
- Considering cost, with and without insurance.
- Some insurance companies have search engines you can use to find providers, which can streamline your search process by enabling you to search all the providers in your area covered by your insurance and use the filters to narrow down the options. Look on their websites for behavioral health to find more specific information about what they will cover.
- If you do not have insurance, look for sliding scale and lower cost options using 211’s search engine (more information about this process later).
- Some insurance companies have search engines you can use to find providers, which can streamline your search process by enabling you to search all the providers in your area covered by your insurance and use the filters to narrow down the options. Look on their websites for behavioral health to find more specific information about what they will cover.
- Use a search engine or directory to find a few prospective therapists. You can use 211 or your insurance’s website/list of providers, or check out of the more specialized directories below:
- Therapy For Black Girls
- Home – National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (nqttcn.com)
- Find a Therapist, Psychologist, Counselor – Psychology Today
- Latinx Therapy
- Multicultural Counselors | Counselors
- Welcome, Bienvenides | Inclusive Therapists for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Queer, Transgender, Nonbinary, Neurodivergent, Disabled communities: BIPOC & LGBTQ affirming therapists, coaches, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists near me, virtual, telehealth
- Send inquiries via email to prospective therapists.
- Introduce yourself and what you are looking to work on in therapy, ask about their availability and set up a time to talk with them on the phone to assess if they are the right therapist for you.
- Make a template for yourself—you do not have to make a custom email every time!
- Introduce yourself and what you are looking to work on in therapy, ask about their availability and set up a time to talk with them on the phone to assess if they are the right therapist for you.
- Additional info at How to Find a Therapist | Psychology Today
- I can’t afford this.
One of the biggest barriers to accessing treatment is its cost. Resource directories often have tabs that can help navigate this and filter for the options that work for you.
The Resource Directory | Washington 211 (wa211.org), for example, lets you enter your location, search for services near you, and filter for places that specifically offer low-cost or sliding scale therapy.
There are also tabs that allow you to search based on the languages you speak, your age, and your demographic (“focus population”). If you are having trouble navigating the search engine or need additional support, reach out to 211 by dialing 2-1-1, texting the same number, or emailing via Contact | Washington 211 (wa211.org) .
Through 211, you can also find resources to help navigate transportation and its surrounding costs. If transportation is an issue, there are many online options available through all the directories.
- I don’t know how to find a therapist I trust or who can help me.
It’s important to find a therapist who makes you feel comfortable and seen, but finding the right fit can be tiring and frustrating. There are ways to ease the process and when you do find the right match, it can be well worth it.
Before you decide on a therapist, it helps to have a conversation with them and ask some questions about their philosophy and the types of treatment they offer. This article from Psychology Today outlines some potential questions: How to Find the Right Therapist | Psychology Today.
When you have your first phone call with the therapist, you can ask them some of these questions. Going into this conversation, it is helpful to have an idea of what you are looking for from their answers. While you are talking to them, think about how the conversation feels—do you like the initial dynamics? Do you feel comfortable around them? You want to make sure you work with someone you can trust, and who understands your goals.
- None of the therapists I like are available right now.
Sometimes the therapist you want to work with has a waitlist or doesn’t fit your availability. This can be disheartening—sometimes it feels like nothing is happening when you are on a waitlist and you need support now.
While you are waiting to be able to access treatment, our lines are open to talk. We can help you make it to the next day—and whenever your appointment is!
Our Programs
988 is a number you can reach out to when you are experiencing mental health related distress, such as suicidal ideation, a mental health or substance use crisis, and any emotional distress.
- Hours: 24/7
- Call/Text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
The 24-Hour Crisis Line provides immediate help to individuals, families, and friends of people in emotional crisis. We can help you determine if you or your loved one needs professional consultation and we can link you to the appropriate services.
- Hours: 24/7
- King County Crisis Line: 1-866-427-4747
WA Warm Line is a peer support help line for people living with emotional and mental health challenges. Calls are answered by specially-trained volunteers who have lived experience with mental health challenges.
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Every Day
- tel: 877-500-9276
Teen Link is a confidential and anonymous help line for teens, by teens. No issue is too big or small to contact Teen Link!
- Hours: 6:00p.m. — 10:00 p.m.*, Every Day
- *Chats and texts must start by 9:30 p.m.
- Call/Text 866-833-6546 or Chat teenlink.org/chat
WA Recovery Help Line. Professionally trained volunteers and staff are available to provide emotional support and offer local treatment resources for those struggling with substance use, problem gambling and mental health.
- Hours:
- Call: 24/7
- Text: 9:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
- Call/Text 866-789-1511