Frequently Asked Questions About Finding a Therapist
A cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship can bring up many challenges to your mental health. You may feel stress, worry, sadness, fear, or a loss of control. You may also find it hard to fit your “pre-cancer” life (work, family, relationships, and hobbies) into your life with cancer. A mental health professional can help you work through these feelings and find ways to cope.
What is a therapist?
A therapist is a trained professional who gives you a safe space to talk about what’s happening in your life and how it affects your well-being. A therapist can help you understand your feelings, build coping skills, and ease symptoms like anxiety or depression.
Most therapists must be licensed in the state where they practice. Many also have extra training in certain types of therapy.
What are the different kinds of therapists?
Therapists may be counselors, social workers, psychologists, psychotherapists, or psychiatrists. You can tell more about the therapist and the types of training they have had based on their titles and credentials. For example, some therapists are:
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW).
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC).
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).
- Psychologists (Psy.D. or Ph.D.).
- Pastoral Counselors (MA or M.Div).
- Psychiatrist (MD).
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
- Pastoral Counselor (MA or MDiv).
What should I look for?
Start by thinking about your goals. What do you want to get out of therapy? What are you willing to put in? Therapy takes work.
Your goals can help you decide what kind of therapist to look for. For example:
- Help with your marriage or family? Consider a marriage and family therapist.
- Medicine as well as talk therapy? Consider a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Many people see a therapist for talk therapy and a psychiatrist for medication.
- Understanding how your past affects you now? Look for a therapist trained in psychodynamic or relational therapy.
- Ways to manage anxiety or worry? A therapist who uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be a good fit.
Think about what would help you feel comfortable, too. You may prefer a therapist who is close to your age or shares your gender, culture, language, or background. Many therapists describe themselves as LGBTQIA+ affirming.
It’s OK to ask a therapist questions before you start, such as what their experience is with people with cancer and how they usually work. It can take time to find the right fit, and it’s OK to try someone else.
Where does therapy happen?
- In person: Many therapists see clients in a private office, sometimes in a group practice with other providers.
- Telehealth (video or phone): Many therapists offer sessions through secure online platforms. This can make therapy easier to fit into your life, but it can be hard if you don’t have a private space at home. Talk with your therapist about ways to protect your privacy. Your therapist usually needs to be licensed in the state where you are located during your session.
- Messaging or text-based therapy: Some online platforms let you message your therapist. This can work well if you prefer writing. Keep in mind that your therapist won’t be available around the clock. They should explain how and when they will respond before you start.
What about paying for therapy? Is it covered by insurance?
- Insurance coverage: Most health insurance plans cover mental health care. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), individual and small-group plans must cover mental health and substance use services. Some limited plans, such as fixed indemnity and short-term plans, may cover very little or nothing.
- Medicare and Medicaid: Medicare covers therapy with psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and, since 2024, marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. Medicaid also covers mental health services.
- Know your benefits: Call the number on your insurance card to ask about your behavioral health benefits and in-network providers. Sometimes mental health benefits are managed by a different company than your medical coverage.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): If you have insurance through work, your employer may offer an EAP. This often includes a few free, short-term counseling sessions and can help you find a longer-term therapist.
- Therapists who don’t take insurance: Some therapists don’t accept insurance and ask for payment at each visit. Ask whether they can give you a receipt (sometimes called a “superbill”) to send to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement. Talk about fees before your first visit.
- Lower-cost options: Many therapists offer sliding-scale fees based on income.
- Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA): You may be able to use funds from these accounts to pay for therapy costs and copays. Check your plan’s rules.
- If you pay out of pocket: If you don’t have insurance or aren’t using it, you have the right to a “Good Faith Estimate” of what your care will cost before your visit.
How do I find a therapist?
- Start with your insurance. Get the list of in-network providers from your insurance company. Not everyone on the list will be accepting new patients, so make a list and contact several.
- Ask for referrals. Your cancer care team, social worker, friends, family, clergy, or support group members may know good therapists.
- Search online. The Psychology Today “Find a Therapist” tool (www.psychologytoday.com) lets you search by location, insurance, specialty, and more.
If you are in crisis, thinking about harming yourself or feel you can’t stay safe, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
Resources for More Information
What is a therapist?
https://www.talkspace.com/blog/therapist-psychotherapist-complete-definition/
National Institute of Mental Health (NAMI)
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml
Cancer Support Community Helpline
888-793-9355
Community Navigators, who are trained mental health professionals, can help to link you to local therapy resources.
https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/cancer-support-helpline
LGBT National Helpline
888-843-4564
Provides one-on-one peer support, information, and resources to individuals of all ages.
CancerCare
Licensed oncology social workers can provide free individual counseling if you are affected by cancer and live in New York or New Jersey. Counseling is available in English and Spanish.