How to Find a Great Psychiatrist? A Step-By-Step Guide

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 as older providers retire (see post).

The shortage of psychiatrists is a big social problem - and it also presents a challenge for the individual seeking great care. At times, it might even feel like a "Where's Waldo?" game - you're vainly trying to find a great psychiatrist among a bunch of look-alike pretenders.

Seek, and you shall find. The national shortage of psychiatrists means that you might need to put some 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 and Inclusive Therapists, although these directories are generally 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 be authorized to practice medicine where 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. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed specialty training in psychiatry and who have been granted certification by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (ABPN) upon completion of that training. This training is significantly more extensive than that of other providers such as nurse practitioners. At Apraku Psychiatry, all providers are psychiatrists.
• 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. Unlike many practices, Apraku Psychiatry empowers patients to schedule with their preferred psychiatrist.
• Manually screen profiles. Browse pictures, watch videos, read profiles. Does the psychiatrist speak to you? It's important to get good vibes and feel a strong connection.
• 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. Information on Apraku Psychiatry's policies on these issues can be found here.
• Reach out. If your psychiatrist has an online booking system, go ahead and use it. If you have a question, send a message. Go for it!