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This page is intended to act as a guide to those navigating mental health systems– aiming to have you better prepared as you begin your path toward healing.
Here you will find definitions and insights to help you better understand options for treatment.
Navigating Insurance
Helpful hints to get the most out of insurance coverage
Learn more
Terminology
It is important to remember that not all methodologies or approaches are effective for all persons. Some individuals may find success quickly, beginning the process of healing after initial or early attempts at treatment, while others may need to attempt different, or combined approaches before finding success.
COMMON MENTAL HELATH CONDITIONS THAT PRESENT IN TEENS/YOUNG ADULTS.
(Obtained from Psychologytoday.com and the National Institute of Mental Health)
ANXIETY DISORDER
There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and various phobia-related disorders.
DEPRESSION
Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.
EATING DISORDERS
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
Feeling extremely afraid of being judged by others?
Feeling very self-conscious in everyday social situations?
Avoiding meeting new people?
This disorder is characterized by feeling this way for at least six months and these feelings make it hard for people to do everyday tasks—such as talking to people at work or school,
Social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia) is a mental health condition. It is an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. This fear can affect work, school, and your other day-to-day activities. Treatment can help overcome symptoms.
BIPOLAR DISORDER
Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
There are three types of bipolar disorder. All three types involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.
PANDAS
Pandas is short for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. A child may be diagnosed with PANDAS when: obsessive-compulsive disorder, tic disorder, or both suddenly appear following a streptococcal (strep) infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. The symptoms of OCD or tic symptoms suddenly become worse following a strep infection. The symptoms are usually dramatic, happen “overnight and out of the blue,” and can include motor or vocal tics or both and obsessions, compulsions, or both. In addition to these symptoms, children may become moody or irritable, experience anxiety attacks, or show concerns about separating from parents or loved ones.
BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER
Borderline personality disorder is an illness marked by an ongoing pattern of varying moods, self-image, and behavior. These symptoms often result in impulsive actions and problems in relationships. People with borderline personality disorder may experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety that can last from a few hours to days.
People with borderline personality disorder also tend to view things in extremes, such as all good or all bad. Their opinions of other people can also change quickly. An individual who is seen as a friend one day may be considered an enemy or traitor the next. These shifting feelings can lead to intense and unstable relationships.
Types of Help Available
(Information obtained from NAMI.org)
PSYCHIATRIC PRACTITIONERS
Psychiatrist – A medical doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication, but they often do not counsel patients.
Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist – A medical doctor with special training in the diagnosis and treatment of emotional and behavioral problems in children. Child and Adolescent psychiatrists can also prescribe medication; however, they may not provide psychotherapy.
Psychiatric or Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – A registered nurse practitioner with a graduate degree and specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illness.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Clinical Psychologist – A psychologist with a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited/designated program in psychology. Psychologists are trained to make diagnoses and provide individual and group therapy.
School Psychologist – A psychologist with an advanced degree in psychology from an accredited/designated program in School Psychology. School Psychologists are trained to make diagnoses, provide individual and group therapy, and work with school staff to maximize efficiency in the schools setting.
COUNSELOR
Licensed Professional Counselor – A counselor with a master’s degree in psychology, counseling or a related field. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
Mental Health Counselor – A counselor with a master’s degree and several years of supervised clinical work experience. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor – Counselor with specific clinical training in alcohol and drug abuse. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
Pastoral Counselor – clergy with training in clinical pastoral education. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
THERAPIST
Nurse Psychotherapist – registered nurse who is trained in the practice of psychiatric and mental health nursing. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
Marital and Family Therapist – counselor with a master’s degree, with special education and training in marital and family therapy. Trained to diagnose and provide individual and group counseling.
SOCIAL WORKER
Clinical Social Worker – A counselor with a master’s degree in social work from an accredited graduate program. Trained to make diagnoses, provide individual and group counseling, and provide case management and advocacy; usually found in the hospital setting.
Peer Specialist– counselor with lived experience with mental health or substance use conditions. Assists clients with recovery by recognizing and developing strengths and setting goals. Many peer support programs require several hours of training.
TREATMENT OPTIONS DEFINED
Know what type of care setting you are seeking.
(Information obtained from NAMI.org)
Hospitalization
Inpatient Care
Inpatient care is the most intensive level of mental health treatment and is intended for those needing 24-hour care and daily doctor visits in a hospital setting to help stabilize a crisis or psychiatric condition.
Inpatient care can last for a few days or up to several weeks and can include group therapy and meeting with a team of professionals, including a psychiatrist. Prior to a patient’s discharge, it is important to discuss aftercare plans during a family session. This type of program is often recommended for people who are unable to care for themselves, or who may be at risk to the safety and well-being of themselves and others. For someone experiencing a mental health crisis or showing signs of psychosis, with severely impaired thinking or disorganized speech, seeking inpatient care may be an appropriate approach.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
This approach includes structured treatment with the goals of teaching patients how to manage stress and better cope with emotional and behavioral issues. Treatment consists of frequent visits, usually 3 to 5 days per week, and an average of 3 to 4 hours of treatment per day over a set period of time (often 4 to 6 weeks depending on the program), and may include group, individual, and family therapy when appropriate. Many of these programs are structured so individuals may work and continue with normal daily routines. Another advantage of IOP treatment is the support of the program offered by working alongside other people experiencing similar issues.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
An intense and structured program typically consisting of 5 to 7 days per week for 6 hours each day.
Similar to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), this program includes group, individual, and family therapy when appropriate and often includes evaluation by a psychiatrist who may prescribe or adjust medications. PHP is often recommended for those who have actively participated in lower levels of care yet continue to experience serious emotional and behavioral issues. This treatment is beneficial to those at risk of hospitalization, or as a step-down for those who have been hospitalized for inpatient care.
Individual and Group Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Similar to CBT. However, DBT focuses more on regulating emotions, being mindful, and accepting uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. A therapist uses DBT to help a person find a balance between change and acceptance. Using DBT, a therapist can teach a person new skill, such as new ways to cope with a situation and mindfulness practices. Psychotherapists first developed DBT to treat people with borderline personality disorder (BPD)who were experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
EMDR is a technique that therapists primarily use to treat people with PTSD. EMDR involves a person recalling a traumatic event while performing specific eye movements. EMDR aims to replace adverse reactions to painful memories with less charged or positive responses. The benefits of EMDR remain controversial, it is thought that the benefits derive from a person’s exposure to the trauma rather than the eye movement.
Exposure Therapy
Therapy Settings
Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy”, is a type of treatment that attempts to relieve or heal mental health disorders. Therapy can help eliminate or control troubling symptoms so a person can function better, increase well-being, and promote healing.
Individual Counseling
This approach is often effective for a variety of emotional difficulties and mental illnesses.
Group Therapy
The group setting allows people to share and learn from one another’s experiences. There are several different types of group therapy models such as support groups, and skills development groups, among others.
Things to consider
Tips & Considerations
Signs and symptoms to look for
(nami.org) 800-950 NAMI (help line)
- Excessive worrying or fear
- Feeling excessively sad or low
- Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
- Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
- Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
- Avoiding friends and social activities
- Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
- Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
- Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
- Changes in sex drive
- Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don’t exist in objective reality)
- Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (”lack of insight” or anosognosia)
- Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
- Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
- Thinking about suicide
- Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress
- An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance
Not all emergency rooms have a psychiatrist on staff
Before you head to the Emergency Room, make a call to see if the facility is equipped to handle a psychiatric emergency. If not, ask for recommendations of where to go.
Not all therapists or psychiatrists accept insurance
However, they will provide a receipt to submit to your insurance. Check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and request a list of in-network providers. Make sure you get a receipt marked, “paid” with an ICD-10 code, signed by the physician. Make a copy for your records before submitting as well.
Understand your insurance coverage
Speak with your insurance provider to better understand your coverage. Request a list of in-network providers. Ask about the process of submitting claims for out-of-network reimbursements, specifically what your insurance provider requires in terms of documentation (ICD-10 codes, receipts, etc.). Bring forms to all appointments, make sure they are signed and dated, with receipts for each visit. Make copies of all receipts before you submit them.
Apply for medical assistance
In PA, most children under age 19 and with serious emotional and behavioral concerns qualify for services covered by medical assistance, regardless of family income.
Learn More.
Genetic testing is available
Many companies, like Genomind, offer testing that offers insight into which medications work best with your DNA. Check out this link.
Child over 18? Understand how things change
To ensure you are able to continue having access to your child’s medical and financial information, it is important that you have the following three specific legal documents in place. When your child turns 18, consider having these documents drafted by an attorney. You do not have the right to their information, under the law, if you do not have these in place.
Legal Documents
Three legal documents all parents should have for their kids.
– From the Law Office of Beth Rondinelli
General Durable Power of Attorney (POA)
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Also referred to as an “Advance Directive” or “Living Will”, the parent or other guardian named as “medical agent” through this document is authorized to review the adult child’s medical records and to make medical decisions on their behalf. Without this document, healthcare treatment and decisions will be made by medical personnel.
HIPAA Authorization Form
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) provides, subject to severe penalities, that healthcare providers are not legally permitted to disclose health information
When searching for a provider…
Remember Your ABC’S
A few things I’ve learned along my journey and from personal experience.
A is for ASK
Check with your insurance company for a list of in-network providers, and a comprehensive understanding of your out-of-network provider coverage. Understand what the insurance company will need in terms of documentation for reimbursement; receipts with clearly stated ICD-10 (diagnosis codes) and clearly stated proof of payment.
B is for BE Diligent
It Looking for a mental health resource is not like picking a painter, it will take time and real attention to detail. When searching online, use reputable sites, such as Psychology Today and NAMI, which I, personally, have found to be best for out-of Chester County searches.
Be Diligent. Look for providers’ educational information; Where did they practice previously? Are they published? Are they members of professional organizations?
Be Your Own Detective. We have a wealth of information at our fingertips, use it! A simple Google search can provide great insight.
When recently researching providers, something did not seem right with this one potential I had considered. So, I searched the provider’s address in Google. It was a rundown house with an abandoned car in the front. This and the fact that the only form of education listed for this provider was “attended a college” led me to feel that this was not a legitimate professional practice. Remember, anyone online can claim to be a provider; be a detective!
Be Patient with Your Search. Use the free phone consultations, you can learn a lot; Does the person seem interested in your situation? Do they offer their experience on the subject? Do they take time to talk with you?
C is for CONSULTATION
If you think you’ve found a potential provider, ask for a phone consultation, most offer these free of charge. Ask about previous experience with the symptoms you need help with. Ask about treatment style, get a “vibe,” and trust your gut!