Finding a psychologist, counselor, or therapist in Oakland
I love Oakland for its beautiful complexity. It’s central location, cultural diversity, abundant natural beauty, food and art scene, progressive values and sense of community make Oakland one of the top cities to live in in the US. Oakland can also be a very HARD place to live due to the high cost of living, its many social problems, racial inequality, extreme poverty and homelessness, rising crime, under resourced public education and environmental threats from climate change. Living here is a LOT. If you are overwhelmed with life and looking for support, I’d like to help you find a professional who can help whether it be a life coach, psychotherapist, or some other support person.
I want to help you find a therapist in Oakland
Personally and professionally, I know how hard it can be to find a therapist in Oakland. Fortunately there are many therapy options for folks from all different walks of life in Oakland. Here are some tips to help you overcome some of the challenges to finding good quality mental health care.
Tip #1 Know that it isn’t YOU!
Finding affordable therapy that works IS possible and it’s a process. It’s important to understand that our mental health system is an insurance-driven medical model that, in my opinion, is designed to deter people from accessing the care they need because the goal is profit over care. If you are trying to work within the system, the system itself also has limited resources to meet the needs of the community. Navigating the mental healthcare system takes motivation, determination, and self-advocacy in the face of institutional bureaucracy - all things that are difficult to muster when your mental health symptoms may be interfering with your ability to function or navigate your day to day life. If this sounds like you, I encourage you to ask for help with finding a therapist in Oakland.
Tip #2 Ask for help from a trusted family member or friend
If you’re overwhelmed from the get-go, inviting someone who knows you well to start the research on therapy (or other support) options could help with getting started. Sometimes it’s easier to make a decision if you are presented with options to choose from rather than having to create those options for yourself in the first place. Allowing someone to support you when you are feeling vulnerable is an important part of healing and could even be good for your relationship with the person you’ve asked for support. Seeking connection and leaning on others when needing help is a sign of health and shows resilience.
Tip #3 Determine what type of support you need
To help folks get started, I ask people to think about what are they wanting help with. If you are trying to solve a specific problem, then perhaps a financial coach, life coach or counselor could be a good option. Can making external changes or eliminating specific stressors help address the problem or does the solution feel more internal? If you’re wanting to reduce anxiety or depression and its not connected to an external stressor maybe there’s an environmental change that can be made.
There are many different types of support for anyone who is needing someone to talk to. If you are wanting to deal with a specific issue, but don’t have the ability to pay for therapy, you can find free online support groups for so many different issues (e.g. grief, addiction, sexual issues, parenting, etc.). You could also seek out a counselor, coach who is willing to work with you on a shorter-term basis to find solutions to a specific problem. Sometimes talking to a friend or religious community member or leader could be very helpful. There are also lots of different types of psychotherapy that could target the specific issues you're looking to resolve in a more targeted and time-limited approach. There are probably more options than you may realize. Finding someone who’s a great fit-whether it be a life coach, psychologist, therapist, counselor or someone else who can help you is within reach.
Tip #4 Start with your money mindset
Sometimes our own money issues may get in the way of taking care of ourselves. Paying for therapy is both about what you can genuinely afford AND about your beliefs and values around money and investing in yourself. Consider sitting down and actually making a budget for your mental healthcare. What is your mental health worth to you? The number you come up with should be something you can reasonably afford but will likely feel uncomfortable. I encourage you to talk to your therapist about whatever feelings come up for you around paying for therapy–money issues are often a source of stress and exploring your relationship to money could be pretty important both for successful therapy outcomes but also in every other area of your life.
Tip #5 Find out what the cost will be to you before starting therapy in Oakland
Most people don’t actually understand what mental healthcare costs, and so the cost of therapy can feel like another insurmountable barrier, especially if you are on the fence about starting therapy or overwhelmed by your endless to-do list. Figuring out what you will need to pay can be a time-consuming step that isn’t for the faint of heart, but therapy is likely more affordable than you think. Your therapist should also provide you with a Good Faith Estimate estimating the what you can expect to pay for therapy over the course of several months.
Tip #6 Reach out to your insurance company
Explore in-network options
An obvious first step is to go to your insurance company’s website and search for in-network providers. Insurance websites can be difficult to navigate or understand. If you have trouble with this, you can call your insurance and ask them to do a search on your behalf and send you a list of therapists in Oakland. Ask them to filter their search based on your needs and preferences. Do you have a preference for location, gender, online therapy or specific type of therapy? If you hit a dead-end, go back and ask for more referrals. If you can’t find an in-network therapist that you like with availability, don’t stop there. Maybe your insurance company contracts with other out of network providers and will cover the cost of your therapy with someone else of your choosing. Insurance companies often don’t lead with this, so it’s up to you to ask…and persist.
Determine if you have out of network mental health benefits
Many people aren’t aware that their health insurance offers out of network (OON) benefits for mental health. This can significantly reduce the cost of therapy in Oakland. If you have a specific therapist you want to work with, but they don’t accept your insurance, your insurance company may reimburse a portion of out of network psychotherapy. You can call your insurance company to find out before ruling out the possibility of seeing a private pay clinician. If this step feels too daunting, there are companies like Reimbursify, Mentaya and Thrizer that will check with your insurance company for you. They will help you determine the amount you would need to pay out of pocket and file claims and handle all insurance paperwork on your behalf to get reimbursed for therapy.
Tip #7 Explore other low-fee options
If you aren’t finding the right fit through insurance but need a low-fee option, there are local training institutes and low-fee clinics in Oakland that have a sliding fee-scale. If you’re a student, there are often free psychological services on school and college campuses. And, working with a private pay therapist may be covered by your student health plan. Some private practice therapists do offer sliding fee scales too.
Tip #8 Ask people you trust for referrals to a therapist in Oakland
Word of mouth is often the best way to find a therapist in Oakland who is a good fit. Ask your doctor or healthcare provider for names of therapists. If your doctor doesn’t know who to refer you to, you can ask other healthcare professionals like chiropractors, naturopaths, acupuncturists, massage therapists, or anyone else you go to for care for recommendations. Or, start by talking to your friend, neighbor, or someone in the community who seems to know people like the person who does your hair ;). If their referrals may not be the right fit or available to see you, ask those people for referrals!
Tip# 9 Search online directories for therapists in Oakland
You can search online directories for therapists in Oakland. Directories offer an easy and quick way to connect with a therapist. You just want to be sure that you are using a directory that is reputable and has vetted its therapists. (You shouldn’t have to pay to use a directory to connect with a therapist.) You can also narrow your search by location, insurance, speciaity, fees, online therapy, etc. Or you can find directories that queer affirming, highlight therapists of color, offer a specific type of therapy like trauma focused or somatic therapy, or reflect any specific aspect of your identity you are searching for.
Tip #10 Avoid big telehealth companies if possible
Based on my own negative experiences and those of others I know who have worked with big telehealth companies, I discourage you from using bigger telehealth directory platforms like BetterHelp. There are no guarantees with confidentiality, therapists may not be properly vetted and uninformed or profit-driven decisions made by companies that aren’t generally run by mental health professionals can interfere with the therapy process. Sometimes these decisions lead to abrupt endings that do not involve the client or therapist. This can and has caused harm to the client.
A free consultation with a therapist in Oakland
You deserve support from someone who has the skills to help you with deep healing and alleviating your suffering. Therapy isn’t just a place to vent - it’s about offering real support and helping you reach your goals through connection with a qualified professional. I hope this helps you find the right therapist in Oakland who can help you reach your goals. You deserve support and to find healing.
My specialties include online therapy and Anxiety Therapy for BIPOC adults. You can learn more about me here.
If you are looking for a therapist in Oakland, click here to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. I can help you get started and find the right fit.
