Finding a Therapist in New York City

More than eight and a half million people live in New York City. Sometimes, it can feel like every one of them is stressed out. Here in New York, we deal with gridlocked traffic, a deteriorating subway system, long work hours, crowded streets (and stores, and restaurants), and more than our fair share of rude people.

It's enough to stress anyone out—and, in fact, studies show that urban life can be more stressful than rural life. If you're living in New York City, you need to be extra sure to take care of your mental health needs. And that includes seeing a therapist.

Yes, therapy can help you.

Therapy isn't only for people struggling with severe mental health issues—though it can certainly help them, too. An astonishing number of Americans suffer from mental health concerns like anxiety and depression, and therapy has been proven again and again to be an effective option for feeling better. For those new to it, therapy is about discussing feelings and situations, developing emotional and organizational strategies, and finding ways to feel better—as well as ways to be more productive, better in relationships, and even more physically fit.

Studies show that therapy's benefits are both real and lasting. Quality therapy can actually help you with physical symptoms, too, because our mental health and our physical health are much more intertwined than most people realize.

In New York City, as elsewhere, therapy can make a real difference in your life.

The Trouble with Getting Therapy in New York City

If you live in New York City and don't already see a therapist, you probably have plenty of excuses ready. Therapists in New York City are too expensive, you might say, or it's too tough to get out to see a therapist during your hectic work schedule.

But these excuses aren't good enough. It's true that New Yorkers deal with high costs of living and often work long hours. But it's very possible that your insurance provider covers or offers partial reimbursements for therapy, and your employer may be more accommodating than you think—especially given the laws in New York that protect mental health and its treatment.

How to Find Your New York City Therapist

So how should you go about finding your therapist? If payment is your primary concern, then it's not a bad idea to start with your health insurance provider. Your insurance provider's website may include a list of doctors and therapists who take your insurance policy, and searching through that can be an easy jumping-off point. Depending on your insurance plan, you may have out-of-network benefits including partial reimbursements for out-of-network therapy treatment, which help offset the cost of care.

To find out more, it’s a good idea to give your insurance provider a call. Speaking to a representative will help you determine exactly how your insurance will cover therapy sessions. Moreover, if you need a referral from your primary care physician, you’ll want to know that ahead of time.

Armed with this information, start narrowing down your choices. Consider the location of your would-be therapist’s office, suggest experts. If you’re working in Manhattan and living in Queens, for instance, you may want to look for therapists in Manhattan. That way, you can make an appointment while missing the least amount of work possible.

It’s worth checking out reviews, too, and—if you are comfortable doing so—asking for recommendations from friends and family members. Your primary care physician may have recommendations for you, too.

Finally, don’t be afraid to call up a provider and see how you feel speaking with them on the phone. His or her manner may tell you all that you need to know about whether or not it’s a good fit.

Finding a therapist doesn’t have to be such a chore, and getting the right one could make a huge difference for you. Invest in your mental health.