Mental health support is often closer than you think. Learn how to navigate your options and get the care you need.
Finding mental health support can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already experiencing stress, anxiety, or other emotional challenges. However, you’re far from alone.
Data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness says 1 in 5 U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2025.
Whether you’re looking for therapy, psychiatry, crisis support, or low cost care, knowing how to search (and what to look for) can make the process feel more manageable. T
Here’s everything you need to know about mental health services, including what they are and where you can find them.
Mental health services help people manage psychological and behavioral health issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma.
You can get mental health services through health insurance providers, Medicaid, local training institutes, or private therapists.
Mental health counselors work one-on-one with people to assist them with emotional, psychological, and cognitive issues. They may counsel individuals, couples, and even families to foster a nurturing, constructive therapeutic environment.
Psychiatrists also counsel and offer mental health services as well as medication management using different methods based on biological and psychosocial approaches. Specialty areas include addiction medicine, pain medicine, and sleep medicine, among others.
Counselors aren’t just for people experiencing psychological issues. They serve a wide array of folks.
“The great thing about the world of mental health today is that there are different types of services available for everyone,” says Allyson Timmons, a licensed mental health counselor.
“The focus of our society has shifted from a predominantly medical perspective to a more all-encompassing view, with a spotlight on the importance of the mind,” she explains.
Outpatient vs. inpatient care
Mental health services can target various conditions. Outpatient programs include psychotherapy, commonly referred to as talk therapy, psychiatry, and trauma-focused therapies.
“In outpatient settings, individuals can connect with resources, providers, and groups that allow them to work on their goals and address their concerns for less severe symptoms and issues. There are services available for all age ranges, individuals, couples, and families,” explains Timmons.
On the other hand, residential mental health programs provide services for those experiencing more severe symptoms related to long-term diagnoses. This includes substance use disorder and eating disorder recovery programs.
According to Mental Health America, inpatient mental health care can also suit people who are at risk of harming themselves or others.
Whether a person chooses inpatient or outpatient care depends on the seriousness of their situation. Inpatient care, however, can allow people to be closely monitored. It can offer medication support and provide immediate care during an acute episode in which a person’s mental state worsens temporarily.
“In each of those realms [outpatient and inpatient], you will find that providers can pull from a multitude of evidence-based modalities to tailor to one’s specific needs,” says Timmons.
Psychiatry and medication management
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who use medication management, biology, and psychosociology to approach and treat mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and bipolar disorder.
They need to hold either an MD (doctor of medicine) or a DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine), plus advanced qualifications from a 4-year residency and psychiatry specialty.
The specialty can include addiction medicine, child and adolescent psychiatry, pain medicine, and more.
Some psychiatrists only manage medication, while others offer comprehensive services like:
- mental health diagnosis
- psychological evaluation
- medication prescriptions and management
- therapy
Types of therapy
Some common types of therapy are cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), though many other approaches exist.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
The American Psychological Association (APA) deems CBT useful for a range of conditions, including:
- depression
- anxiety disorders
- substance use disorders
- alcohol use disorder
- marital problems
- eating disorders
- severe mental illness
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
DBT focuses on managing painful emotions and decreasing conflict in relationships. It’s especially useful for personality disorders. Mental health care professionals commonly use it to treat borderline personality disorder.
This therapy model can also help treat other conditions, including:
- eating disorders
- substance use disorder
- bipolar disorder
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR therapy is an interactive psychotherapy technique that’s used to relieve psychological stress. Therapists primarily practice this form of treatment with people who have trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
During EMDR, patients focus on traumatic or triggering experiences while a therapist guides their eye movements. This diversion helps desensitize the person to their difficult memories, allowing them to change their psychological response.
Through a commitment to EMDR, people can find the technique lessens the negative impact the memories have on them.
Research shows EMDR can help many people with PTSD; however, it may not work the same way for everyone. Because of this, the APA conditionally recommends EMDR as a treatment for PTSD.
The cost of different mental health services varies depending on the type of service, the provider you use, where you live, and whether you have insurance coverage. Here are some approximate estimates.
Psychiatry and medication management
According to BetterHelp, psychiatry and medication management can cost about $100 and $300 per appointment without health insurance. Your initial consultation will most likely cost more and, depending on your insurance coverage, can cost up to $500 and about $100 an hour for follow-up consults.
Counseling
Depending on the state and session frequency, counseling costs about $122 to $227 per session on average.
You might pay per session or per month, depending on whether you’re set up on a subscription service.
Inpatient care
The cost of inpatient care at a residential mental health facility varies widely. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars per month depending on the facility and what it offers. The cost will largely depend on how long your stay is and the reason for treatment.
However, research suggests that inpatient care costs between $500 and $2000 per day. This cost generally covers your stay, psychiatric evaluation, therapy, and medication management.
Similarly, addiction treatment can also cost thousands of dollars. Inpatient hospital care may cost less than long-term residential facilities, depending on length of stay, accommodations, and what insurance covers, if applicable.
Insurance plans generally cover some level of mental health services, but it depends on the service type, the specific plan, and where you live.
Psychiatry and medication management
Insurance typically covers psychiatry and medication management services. Sometimes, your insurer may cap the number of visits you’re covered for each year unless they document that they’re medically necessary.
Counseling
Most health insurance plans offer some level of coverage for counseling, but it may not be enough for the amount you need, so out-of-pocket expenses can arise.
Be aware that insurance companies only cover medically necessary services and require a diagnosis to determine what these are for each person.
Inpatient care
Insurance may cover inpatient care costs if treatment is deemed medically necessary. The specific coverage will depend on the terms of your plan, so the best way to find out is to talk with your insurance provider.
The benefits of mental health services are plentiful. Coping mechanisms, stress relief, organizational techniques, and goal setting are all constructive tools to apply to your everyday life outside your therapy sessions.
Counseling
- improve communication skills
- boost your self-esteem
- make healthier lifestyle choices
- strengthen relationships with family members or loved ones
- build strategies to manage stress and anxiety
- practice mindfulness
Searching for mental health services may feel intimidating, but there are many resources to help you connect with a professional who meets your needs.
Searching for in-network providers
To begin the search for a mental health expert, start by seeking an in-network provider through your insurance company. Find a list of covered mental health counselors by calling your insurance or visiting their online database of in-network providers.
Thanks to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, mental health care and physical health care are to be treated equally, meaning an appointment with a mental health counselor shouldn’t cost more than a physical health appointment.
Finding a therapist in your community
With a growing need for mental health care, college campuses and various academic institutions, government agencies, community health centers, hospitals, and mental health clinics typically employ counselors.
Mental health counselors also work at private practices in your community.
The APA’s Psychologist Locator and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s online database allow you to easily search an online database of counselors in your area.
Visiting a federally qualified health center
If you’re uninsured, you can still find services. Depending on your financial situation and environment, you can contact a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
These community spaces are funded by the government and serve underprivileged populations by providing comprehensive medical services, like mental health counseling.
Some examples include community health centers, migrant health centers, health care for residents of public housing, and outpatient programs offered by tribal organizations. You can search the Health Resources and Services Administration database to find the closest FQHC in your area.
Getting help through Medicaid
Medicaid is the single largest payer for mental health services in the United States. The joint federal and state program provides health coverage to nearly 70 million people, and it covers mental health benefits for those in need.
Low-income families, qualified children, pregnant people, and individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are eligible to enroll for aid.
While offerings can vary by state, all state programs tend to cover a wide array of mental health services.
Finding a private therapist
If your insurance doesn’t cover mental health, many therapists offer rates on a sliding scale based on income. When therapists offer this option to out-of-network or uninsured clients, the determined pricing is based on the client’s capability to pay. This fee structure can significantly reduce the cost of therapy, making sessions available to those from all socioeconomic backgrounds and financial situations.
If you feel you cannot pay the full price for therapy, the treatment provider can review your income information and your number of dependents to determine a percentage of the cost you can meet.
Just because the cost is discounted, it doesn’t mean the care is. Licensed therapists give the same dedication to any client, no matter their financial situation.
Finding a therapist online
A 2018 study determined that online therapy services had high rates of satisfaction and was “effective, acceptable, and practical” for treating anxiety and depressive disorders.
The study concluded that online CBT is just as effective as face-to-face therapy, and it offers the added benefit of privacy and convenience.
Below are some Healthline-approved online therapy options:
An online therapy platform accessed through an app, Talkspace matches you with a licensed therapist in your state for ongoing support through secure messaging and live video sessions.
This online therapy platform gives you access to licensed and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and board licensed professional counselors.
7 Cups connects you to volunteer listeners who are trained in advanced skills of compassionate communication.
Amwell is an all-in-one platform that offers many types of care and treatments, including psychiatry, therapy, and urgent care.
This online platform offers telehealth for individuals and families. It also offers telecounseling, in which you’re matched with a licensed and board certified therapist.
MDLive offers access to therapists and board certified psychiatrists to help treat a wide range of issues, including trauma, job loss, new relationships, divorce, parenting, and more.
You can choose from a variety of therapists with different specialties and backgrounds. The platform treats a wide range of issues. Services range from therapy to medication management.
Looking to find more information about online therapy?
Here’s our picks for the best online therapy platforms.
After sharing your needs, the apps will match you with a therapist. You’ll gain access to an online portal with the facility to send text messages, set up video appointments, send voice memos, and make phone calls.
A large appeal of these digital therapy methods is the access to 24/7 care. Typically, a therapist will get back to a client through the messaging app within 24 hours. Online therapy apps are also cost-effective for people looking to have more affordable access to healthcare.
For traditionalists seeking synchronous online therapy, many online therapy sites allow clients to plan a video session with therapists right from the client’s computer screen.
Finding mental health services can feel overwhelming, but care comes in many forms, and you don’t have to figure it all out at once.
Many people can access support through private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, community health clinics, employer programs, or low-cost and sliding-scale providers.
Help exists at different levels, for different needs and budgets, and taking even one small step, like calling a provider or asking your primary care doctor for a referral, can bring you closer to the care you deserve.