Dear Grandma: An Interactive Approach for Obtaining Mental-Health Related Tools (How to Find a Therapist)
- Deja Jackson
- Jul 19
- 2 min read
Dear Grandma,
I think I need help... I have noticed my anxiety has been increasing. My heart is always racing, my hands feel kind of sweaty, and this might be TMI, but I've been having to go "number 2" A LOT. I'm not too sure what is causing me to be like this. I find myself constantly worrying about things that haven't even happened. It's like it came out of nowhere...
I was scrolling on TikTok looking for answers and I think I should go to therapy...
Am I crazy? Is something wrong with me? Grandma, have you ever been to therapy? I thought people who had mental problems went to therapy, but I just can't get rid of this constant feeling that something really bad is going to happen. I probably should not be on TikTok seeking this type of help... I should probably do some research.
Alright, Grandma, during my research, I gathered a wealth of information. I spoke with people I know, searched online, and even consulted some colleagues at work. There are numerous ways to find a therapist; HOWEVER, since this is America, insurance appears to have a significant impact on this. Yay...
Luckily, I do have insurance, so I will start there. My coworkers were telling me that we have EAP benefits. EAP is the Employee Assistance Program. The more I looked into it, it looks like my employer covers up to six sessions per topic. This sounds like a great idea for someone who is looking to be seen as soon as possible. It does seem somewhat limited, but still a great option for more short-term goals.
Grandma! I found out that there are databases that help you find therapists! You can put in your insurance and a bunch of other filters, and it gives you a list of providers that fit those filters. Psychology Today seems to be the most popular one. They have databases that depend on your race, gender, sexual orientation, and even socioeconomic status. Therapy for Black Girls helps Black women connect with Black providers. Open Path Collective offers affordable sliding scale options for people, and the list goes on.
I think I found a therapist that would be a good fit! The therapist I found does not currently accept insurance, but she does offer a sliding scale option that is affordable for me. She told me a sliding scale can be based on someone's income or what their copay would be if they were using insurance. I did a consultation call that was FREE and she answered all my questions. In 15 minutes, she was able to reassure me that therapy is a great tool for anyone looking to find out more information about themselves. I scheduled my first session and can't wait!
Journal prompt #2: What was your first therapy experience like? If you have never been, what fears do you have surrounding therapy?
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