Your First Steps

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 as to the various treatment approaches, program methodologies, and other various options you may encounter along your journey to finding help, in addition to some tips and other things I’ve learned along my own journey.

Terminology

Understand the various terms and approaches you may encounter while navigating mental health systems.

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.

Inpatient & Outpatient Treatment Settings

Know what type of care setting you are seeking.

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.

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

Individual counseling is a type of psychotherapy in which a trained professional helps a single individual work through personal issues they have been facing, usually through a series of regular sessions. This approach is often effective for a variety of emotional difficulties and mental illnesses.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which a group of patients meets to describe and discuss their problems together under the supervision of a therapist, usually through regularly scheduled sessions, for the purpose of helping people manage mental health conditions or cope with negative experiences and behaviors. 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.

Tips & Considerations

A few things I’ve learned along my journey and from personal experience.

Do you know the good, the bad, and the ugly?

Not all emergency rooms have a psychiatrist on staff

Use our Search Tool to locate facilities that offer on-site psychiatric services.

Not all therapists or psychiatrists accept insurance

However, they will provide a receipt to submit to your insurance claims. Check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and request a list of in-network providers.

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

There is a medical test that is able to determine which medications are better suited to your genetic makeup. This simple cheek swab test is sent away and analyzed before delivering to you a complete report listing drugs by classification, showing which would have the potential for greater side effects and which would be more therapeutic. Although there are many of these types of tests available, I have personal experience with using Genecept Assay. Learn More.

A parent loses the legal right to help with their kid’s medical and financial affairs at age 18.

To ensure you are able to continue serving your adult child’s best interests, it is imperative that you have the following three specific legal documents in place. These will also protect your child in the event of an injury, sickness, or incapacitation.

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)

This legal document allows the child’s named “agent” to make financial decisions on the adult child’s behalf. Without this document, court intervention would be needed to handle financial or legal matters, such as managing bank accounts, paying bills, and applying for government benefits.

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

Remember Your ABCs

Tips and other things to consider when searching for a mental health provider.

A is for ASK

A great place to start is always with your primary care doctor, they are a valuable resource in this process. Consider also asking friends, neighbors, co-workers. This can even be done discreetly, “I have a friend who is struggling to find a therapist/psychiatrist/program for their child/parent, etc. Would you happen to know of any good providers in the area or know anyone who might?” It is not as awkward as you think, and you may be surprised at just how many people are in the same situation.

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

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 one potential I had considered. So, I searched the provider’s address in Google. Pictured here is the result. 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. Looking for a provider for an out-of-state family member, I had a few questions front-of-mind while speaking with each; Does the person seem interested in your situation? Do they offer their experience on the subject? Do they take time to talk with you?

The first provider I called yawned on the phone, while saying, “Oh, I am so busy. Does he have time, like, maybe on a Tuesday? I may be able to squeeze in some time, but I’ll have to check.” I thought, “Nope, next!” The following provider I spoke with droned on and on about her fee schedule; the fact that she does not take insurance, only cash or credit at the time of the visit, her missed appointment charge, her late charge and… Again, I thought, “NOPE!”, and my search continued. On my third attempt, the provider asked me for the reason I was calling and requested a brief history of the problem before explaining her expertise in the field of study. She then asked if she could be allowed to meet with the patient, my out-of-state family member, to see if HE liked HER and would be willing to work with her, which brings me to the letter “C”…

C is for CONSULTATION

If you think you’ve found a potential provider, ask for a phone consultation, most offer these free of charge. The third provider I contacted offered my out-of-state family member a 20-minute consultation. She has turned out to be an amazing gift to our story and the key to a hopeful ending. So, when searching for a mental health provider, remember your “ABC”s. ASK primary care professionals and those close to you for suggestions. BE Diligent, do your research and ask the right questions. BE a Detective, search online for provider reviews and other information. BE Patient in your search and keep trying to find the right sounding fit before potentially souring the person you are trying to help against pursuing other possibilities. Finally, CONSULTATIONS are a great way to test the waters and learn more about the provider in question.

Navigating Insurance

Your Primary Care Provider is always a great place to begin when looking for referrals. You can also check out some of the search tips provided on this page and the following in-network provider search links.

Know Your Benefits!

The following insurance carriers offer a tool to search for providers who accept your coverage.

Aetna

Cigna

Compass

Highmark

Independence

A Path to Hope does not provide medical advice nor recommend or refer any provider, treatment, program, or services. The information provided through this website is for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any experience you may have with any of the providers listed on this website, and are not aware of the insurance implications or other expenses related to the services provided by such. We may add, remove, or change our resource listings at our own discretion.