Finding a Good Psychiatrist

So you've decided to see a psychiatrist. Good on you - that's a big step towards getting better. Take a moment to congratulate yourself. 

But where are the psychiatrists? Unfortunately, there is a growing shortage of psychiatrists in the United States. Demand for psychiatric services is increasing, partly due to greater awareness of mental health's importance, but the psychiatrist population - currently about 35,000 nationwide - is actually falling slightly as older providers retire (see post). That's a big social problem - and it also presents a challenge for the individual seeking good care.

Seek, and you shall find. The national shortage of psychiatrists means that you might need to put a little extra effort into finding the right provider for you. The first step is to figure out the right clinical setting. If the concern is urgent, an emergency room or urgent care clinic is most appropriate. In most cases, however, an out-patient clinic is the way to go. Cost-conscious patients can try to seek care from a local community clinic or find a provider who is in-network with their insurance carrier. Unfortunately, however, the availability of such providers is limited. Psychiatrists who accept insurance may also be more time-constrained as they typically see more patients per day.

Here's a handy stepwise guide for finding the right out-patient provider:

• Head to an online directory. Psychology Today is the most widely used. Other useful resources include TherapyDen, Inclusive Therapists, Therapy for Black Girls and TherapyTribe, although these directories are geared towards therapists rather than psychiatrists.
• Filter by state. In the United States, medical services are regulated at state-level, meaning that a provider must have a license to practice medicine in the state in which the patient is located. Most doctors are licensed to practice in only one state, although at Apraku Psychiatry we cover more ground.
• Filter for medical doctors (e.g. M.D. or D.O.). Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed specialty training in psychiatry. Their training is more extensive than that of nurse practitioners.
• Optional: filter for identity. Some patients prefer to see a psychiatrist who shares their experience. That might mean looking for a psychiatrist with a matching race or gender identity.
• Manually screen profiles. Browse pictures, watch videos, read profiles. Does the provider speak to you? While psychiatrists are not therapists, it's still important to get good vibes and feel a strong connection.
• Check the provider's credentials. Once you've found a promising provider, make sure they're legit. Look them up at Certification Matters - an invaluable resource provided by the American Board of Medical Specialties allowing patients to check that a doctor is Board-certified. Your psychiatrist should have active certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; if they don't, keep looking.
• Check cost. Most psychiatrists in private practice are "out-of-network" providers - meaning that they do not bill insurance carriers directly. Instead, the psychiatrist's practice charges the patient directly, and they provide a superbill which can optionally be used by the patient to claim any out-of-network benefits to which they may be entitled under their insurance plan. Hence, if insurance reimbursement is important, make sure to check your plan's out-of-network coverage before proceeding.
• Reach out. If your psychiatrist has an online booking system, go ahead and use it. If you have a question, send them a message. Go for it!