Finding a psychiatrist in New York City may feel overwhelming. After all, it’s the biggest city in the country, and there are licensed professionals all over the city.
Deciding to get mental health help is already a big step. How do you choose which psychiatrist is right for you? What should you look for?
Let’s breakdown those questions, and more so you can learn how to find a psychiatrist in New York City and get the help you need.
Choosing a Psychiatrist You Trust
You put a lot of trust in a psychiatrist. Not only are they treating your mental health, but they also manage your medications. So your first priority should be finding a psychiatrist that you can trust.
It’s tempting to go to the closest practitioner in your neighborhood, but that doesn’t always mean they’ll be the right psychiatrist for you. If you don’t feel comfortable with someone after an initial appointment, don’t move forward with them.
Here’s how you know if you can trust your psychiatrist:
- You feel comfortable sharing with them.
- They answer your questions honestly.
- They are easy to get in touch with.
- They pay attention to your needs.
- They listen to your concerns.
- They help you understand your treatment plan.
If you are with a psychiatrist who doesn’t hear you out or give you great individualized care, it may be time to move on. You deserve the best possible treatment, so it’s worth it to search for a psychiatrist that makes you feel comfortable.
Criteria to Consider
Finding a psychiatrist you trust is a great start. However, you should also feel confident in their skills.
Here are some other important factors and criteria to consider when you’re trying to find a psychiatrist.
1. Insurance
Do the practitioners you’re considering accept insurance, or will you have to pay out of pocket? If you have to pay out of pocket, call the office in advance to get a rundown of the cost of appointments and prescriptions.
2. Experience
Where did your psychiatrist go to school? How many years have they practiced? Do they have a good track record of past clients? Do they have experience treating your specific psychological issues?
3. Board Certifications and Expertise
Do they have any specialized board certifications that are important to you? For example, are you looking for a child psychiatrist for your son or daughter? Along with extra certifications, do you want someone who specializes in one area or a generalist?
4. Can You Get a Recommendation?
Don’t be afraid to ask your friends or family members in the city if they’ve seen a psychiatrist that they recommend. There is no shame in seeking treatment, and you might feel more comfortable if someone you know has had a positive experience with the psychiatrist you’re considering.
If you don’t know anyone in the city who can give you a recommendation, check online reviews from other patients.
You can also ask your primary care physician for a referral to a psychiatrist that they know and like.
5. Treatment Approach
Do you want a psychiatrist who only manages your medication, or do you want someone who also offers psychotherapy? A combination of both is proven to provide the best outcome. Even if you don’t think you need psychotherapy right now, it’s a good idea to choose a psychiatrist who can offer it to you in the future. You may want to work with a psychologist if you want to seek out talk therapy as well.
Another thing to consider is whether the psychiatrist only sees patients in person or is open to virtual appointments. If the psychiatrist you ultimately choose isn’t close to you, you may want to schedule virtual appointments.
Why Should You See a Psychiatrist?
First of all, what does a psychiatrist do? What makes them different from a psychologist?
A psychiatrist attends medical school and completes a four-year residency. They spend most of their training studying psychiatry and are able to diagnose mental health disorders.
Since they are mental health doctors, they can also prescribe medication to treat mental health disorders.
This is one of the biggest differences between psychiatrists and psychologists since psychologists generally cannot prescribe medication. However, psychiatrists are not required to complete hours of clinical therapy training like psychologists.
If you’ve been in talk therapy with a psychologist, they might recommend that you start seeing a psychiatrist so that you can receive a complete mental health diagnosis and be prescribed medication.
Your primary care physician may also recommend psychiatric care.
However, you don’t need the recommendation to start seeing a psychiatrist. If you feel that you are in need of medical intervention when it comes to your mental health, it’s wise to seek psychiatric help.
How to Find a Psychiatrist in New York City
Now that you know what criteria to look for in a psychiatrist, where do you start when it comes to finding the right one in New York City?
Williamsburg Therapy Group is a full-service mental health collective in Brooklyn with a team of psychiatrists and psychologists who specialize in all aspects of mental health.
We can help you address anxiety, depression, addiction, and more. We work with individuals, couples, families, and children. When it comes to finding a psychiatrist in New York City, we’re here for you.
It’s our mission and our passion to see mental health thrive in New York City. To get started with Williamsburg Therapy Group, call us or book an appointment online. We’re here to answer your questions and get you the treatment you deserve.
Williamsburg Therapy Group
