Finding the Right Psychiatrist
Some people might have you believe that the world is black and white. Some people in “traditional Medicine” might have you believe that supplements and alternative treatments are bad. While others in “alternative medicine” might have you believe that all psychiatric medicines are bad. The fact of the matter is that both of those statements are false. As is so often true in the real world, the truth lies somewhere in the middle, neither black nor white but rather a broad range of shades of gray- an integrative approach. But as an integrative psychiatrist I may be a little biased.
Questions to ask yourself as you search for a psychiatrist:
What specific issues are you hoping to get resolved? If you have specific mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse, look for psychiatrists who specialize in those areas.
Which approach makes the most sense to you? Traditional, alternative, or integrative? Read this post for a comparison of these three approaches.
How much of a role do you want to have in developing your treatment plan? Do you want a physician to be more of an authoritarian figure, someone who will simply provide you with medications and tell you what to do, or are you more interested in being an active participant and working with the psychiatrist in exploring options and coming up with the best course of action for you?
Where do you wish to be seen? In person or via telehealth?
Does it matter whether the psychiatrist is male or female? Age, ethnicity, gender and background may all be important to you. In theory these things absolutely should not matter. However, in reality you may personally have an easier time trusting, sharing or connecting with someone of a particular gender, age, ethnicity, and or background, These factors can be helpful in being comfortable and establishing a relationship with a psychiatrist while addressing these personal and private issues.
Research physicians in your area
Ask friends or family with whom you feel comfortable discussing these personal matters. Ask other doctors (who you like and respect) for recommendations. There are also great resources for finding psychiatrists on websites like Psychology Today, WebMD, Healthgrades, ZocDoc, and Vitals. Finally, schedule a consultation with those physicians that you think might be a good match for you. Nowadays nearly all offer a free introductory consultation. Make sure that the psychiatrist sees and hears you for who you are and understands and acknowledges the experiences you have been through. If you feel ignored or dismissed move on to the next one.
It should be safe to assume that a psychiatrist has the education, training, and license to be practicing medicine, but you should verify this information. While not necessary, I would also strongly recommend checking to see if they are board certified. A board-certified physician has completed voluntary, rigorous training and testing in a specific medical specialty, demonstrating advanced expertise beyond the minimum state licensing requirements, assuring patients of exceptional expertise in that area.
When you find a potential psychiatrist, consider the following:
Consider their location and availability. Is it convenient to home and/or work?
Can they see you at a day and time that works for you? Check if the psychiatrist offers after-hours or weekend appointments if needed.
Do they accept insurance? If so, do they accept your insurance? If they are out of network (OON) can they provide a “superbill” to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement for out of benefits? Most OON providers accept credit cards and Health Saving Account (HSA) cards.
Research the psychiatrist's reputation and any disciplinary actions or complaints against them.
Finding a good psychiatrist is a personal process. Take your time, do your research, and choose a psychiatrist with whom you feel confident and comfortable. Good luck in your search, and congratulations on taking the steps necessary to finding that person! Small steps often result in big differences!