How to Find a Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is trained to diagnosis and treat mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Finding a psychiatrist is easy to do and with just a couple visits, the psychiatrist can normally tell whether or not you have a mental illness and discuss treatment options with you.

1. Locate a psychiatrist by asking friends and family if they have used one or if they have a recommendation. Once you locate a psychiatrist that someone has used, find out what their experience was with the doctor. If it was a good one, it may be someone you should consider using. If they had a bad experience, move on to someone else.


2. Inquire with your family doctor for a referral. They may have a list of referrals for you to choose from. Check with your insurance company, as they play a big role in the psychiatrist that you see. You need to contact your insurance company and have them send you a list of psychiatrists that are covered under your health insurance plan. See if any names on that list match the names given by family, friends or your family practitioner.


3. Contact the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Your local university’s Department of Psychiatry may also have some information as well.


4. Take your list and start calling the ones that are covered under your insurance plan first. Ask if they are taking new patients and how soon you can get an appointment.  Double check and be sure that they do in fact take your insurance. Listen to how the person answers the phone and also answers your questions. If they sound rude or unprofessional, then try someone else. You need to feel comfortable with the office that you will be attending.


5. Schedule an initial consultation with the psychiatrist that is first on your list.  Remember, if during the first visit you don’t feel comfortable with the psychiatrist, you are not obligated to stay with that doctor. The psychiatrist will work through sessions with you to get all the information he needs to make a proper diagnosis. From that point, he will either prescribe you a medication or call for more therapy sessions. Follow-up appointments are typical after you begin a new medication.