How to Find a Psychiatrist Who Can See You Soon

Here is how to find a psychiatrist in three steps. Get a list of in-network prescribers from your insurer. Call each office to check they are taking new patients. If the wait is long, widen your search to psychiatric nurse practitioners and telehealth. This guide walks you through each step, including what to say on the phone.

If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

What kind of provider do I need for medication?

For a medication evaluation for ADHD, anxiety, or depression, you need a prescriber. That means a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

A therapist (licensed counselor, social worker, or psychologist) provides talk therapy. Most cannot prescribe medication. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health and can prescribe. A psychiatric nurse practitioner (sometimes called a PMHNP) is an advanced practice nurse trained in mental health who can also evaluate you and prescribe. For a medication evaluation, either of those last two will work.

Nurse practitioners often have shorter waits and more open appointments, so include them in your search.

If you also want talk therapy, you can see a prescriber for medication and a therapist for therapy. Many people do both.

How to find a psychiatrist who takes your insurance

Start with your insurance card. Call the member services number on the back, or log into your insurer's website. Ask for a list of in-network psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners near you. Say that you want someone who does outpatient evaluations for adults.

A federal law, the mental health parity law, protects you here. If your plan covers mental health care, its copays, deductibles and visit limits generally can't be stricter than the ones for medical care. You can read how this works on healthcare.gov. Your own plan decides the details, so confirm your coverage before you book.

Once you have a list, call each office. Insurer directories go out of date quickly. A provider listed as in-network may have left the network, retired, or stopped taking new patients.

Things to confirm on that call:

• Are you in-network with my plan?
• Are you taking new patients?
• Do you see adults for ADHD, anxiety, or depression evaluations?
• What is your next available appointment for a new patient?

How to find a psychiatrist when no one is taking new patients

This is often the hardest part. In many areas, psychiatrists have long waits or are not taking new patients.

Here is how to improve your odds.

Search a wider area. Set your insurer's directory to a larger radius than you normally would. Telehealth widens it further.

Ask your primary care doctor. Your doctor may know local psychiatrists or nurse practitioners and can sometimes get you seen sooner with a referral.

Pick up the phone. Calling is usually faster than an email or an online form, which can sit unread for days.

Get on waitlists. If a practice is full, ask to be added to their cancellation list. Tell them you can come in on short notice.

Try a community health center. Federally funded health centers charge on a sliding scale based on income. Many offer mental health care with prescribers on staff. Find one near you at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

Include psychiatric nurse practitioners. They can evaluate and prescribe, and they often have more openings.

Can I see a psychiatrist by telehealth?

Yes. Many prescribers offer video or phone visits for evaluations and follow-ups, and telehealth can be a faster way to get a first appointment.

Coverage for telehealth depends on your plan and your state. Call your insurer and ask whether telepsychiatry visits are covered and whether you need a referral.

When you call a practice to book, say that you are open to telehealth. Some practices have more telehealth openings than in-person ones.

How long will I wait for a first appointment?

Wait times vary a lot by region, provider type, and whether you are open to telehealth. In some areas you can get a first appointment within a week or two. In others, a wait of several weeks is common.

A few things that tend to shorten the wait:

• Telehealth opens up more providers and more appointments.
• Psychiatric nurse practitioners often have earlier openings.
• Call several offices on the same day. Each office can take days to reply.
• Ask your primary care doctor for a referral.

If your symptoms are affecting your daily life while you wait, talk to your primary care doctor. Ask what they can do in the meantime.

What do I say when I call to book?

Keep it simple. You do not need to explain your whole history to the person who answers the phone. Here is a script you can use:

"Hi, I am looking to schedule a new patient evaluation with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. I think I may need medication for [ADHD / anxiety / depression]. I have [insurance name]. Are you taking new patients, and are you in-network with my plan?"

If they are full, ask: "Is there a cancellation list I can get on? Can you recommend anyone else who might have openings?"

Have your insurance card nearby. They will likely ask for your plan name, member ID, and group number.

What happens at a first psychiatry appointment?

A first appointment is an evaluation. The prescriber gathers your history before deciding on any treatment.

Expect to talk about your symptoms and how long you have had them. They will also ask about your medical history and current medications. Expect questions about family history, too, and how your sleep, mood and focus affect your day.

At the end, the prescriber may recommend a medication, suggest more evaluation, refer you to a therapist, or book a follow-up. You may not get a prescription at the first visit, and that is normal.

Bring a list of your current medications, including supplements, and any past diagnoses. If you have had mental health treatment before, mention it.

If cost is on your mind, our guide on how much therapy costs explains copays, deductibles and low-cost options.

Common questions

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. A therapist provides talk therapy and usually cannot prescribe. If you want a medication evaluation, see a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Can a psychiatric nurse practitioner prescribe medication?

Yes. Nurse practitioners can prescribe in every state, but the rules differ from state to state. Some states require them to work with a physician, especially for certain medications. If you have questions, ask the provider's office.

How much does a psychiatrist cost without insurance?

Prices vary by provider, location, and type of visit. A first evaluation usually costs more than a follow-up. If cost is a concern, ask about sliding scale fees or try a community health center, which charges based on income.

What if I still can't find a psychiatrist?

Widen your search to telehealth, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and community health centers. Ask your primary care doctor for a referral, and get on cancellation lists at practices that are full.

Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist?

It depends on your plan. Some plans, often HMOs, require a referral from a primary care doctor before they cover a specialist visit. Call the member services number on your insurance card and ask before you book.

Not sure where to start? Tell saycalm what's going on, for you or someone you love, and we'll explain your options and help you find a provider who fits. Start a conversation