MENTAL HEALTHCARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT. MENTAL HEALTHCARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT. MENTAL HEALTHCARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT. MENTAL HEALTHCARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT. MENTAL H
so, then uhh...why are we making mental healthcare endlessly
COMPLICATED
INACCESSIBLE
EXPENSIVE
CONFUSING
???
MAKE. IT. MAKE. SENSE ?!
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So, as your resident psychology nerd and human pep talk—I did a lil' research deep dive for us. **pulls in chin and smirks **
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A couple things about this page:
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​I'm a science communicator & certified coach — NOT a psychologist, therapist, or licensed mental health professional. This is NOT medical advice. Always do your own homework and seek professional help.
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The resources here are mostly USA-based. (Not because I think the US is the center of the world, or anything—it is very much NOT; we're a mess. However, I live in the US and my community's questions & sources are mostly based here.) If and when I find international therapy resources, I'll share them!
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None of this is marketing; I am not affiliated with (or responsible for) the content of any of these websites / sources.
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Ready? Let's do this.
CLICK A QUESTION BOX TO GET SOME ANSWERS.
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WHERE DO I START?
SCARIEST_GOOGLE_SEARCH_EVER.txt​
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Once you've decided that it's time to seek therapy or counseling, HOW are you supposed to know that this random stranger you Googled is not only qualified to offer you meaningful, life-changing mental health advice or diagnoses—
but is also the kind of human you'll vibe out with—
who can be trusted with your most vulnerable information—
who won't make you feel like garbage or totally misinterpret what you're trying to communicate?!
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** SWEATING **
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Well, you start with a therapist database that actually gives a shit about your intersecting identities, unique mental health needs, and about building a more equitable world.
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Below are my (3) favorites.
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Reminder: I'm not affiliated with them, I just like what they stand for and how easy their platforms are to use!
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INCLUSIVE THERAPISTS
What don't I love about Inclusive Therapists!? To quote their mission, they "celebrate all identities and abilities in all bodies, center the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and the LGBTQIA2S+ community, honor the full neurodiversity spectrum, and advocate for mental health care accessibility for people with disabilities." Umm, hell yes.
Use their database to search for therapists by the usual stuff (location, training, sliding scale rates, accepting new clients) AND by the therapist's identity, cultural or spiritual knowledge, languages spoken, areas of focus...aka search filters that help you find someone who won't gaslight you and will prioritize social justice.
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OPEN PATH
COLLECTIVE
Wouldn't it be great if those of us without insurance could actually afford to meet with a therapist who aligned with our values & shared our identities? That's Open Path Collective.
They're a non-profit for people "who lack health insurance or whose health insurance doesn’t provide adequate mental health benefits," dedicated to connecting people to therapists at a sliding scale rates.
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Search their database for a therapist you vibe with, register with OPC & pay a one-time, lifetime membership fee (currently $59), and schedule an appointment with your new therapist for $30-60 a session. BOOM.
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THERAPY FOR BLACK GIRLS
Founded by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford — a psychologist who famously uses pop culture references to make mental health topics more relevant & accessible — Therapy for Black Girls started as a popular podcast and has grown into a therapist database, online community, and resource hub designed specifically for Black women.
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Search their database for a local, Black therapist and filter for virtual or in-office visits, who's taking new clients, who will take your insurance, and more. Or, join their community membership for deep dive topics, Q&A sessions with experts, and connect with other Black women in your area. Or check out their podcast & blog for mental health advice. Wait, why not do all of that?!
LET A THERAPIST TELL YOU
HOW TO FIND A THERAPIST
Step 1: Go follow brilliant, hilarious, and licensed counselor Shani T. on TikTok and Instagram—she's amazing.
Step 2: Listen to the "How to Find a Therapist" episode on her podcast, The Shani Project, and then leave a nice review and tell her how much it helped you.
Step 3: Thanks to Shani's pod-help, feel 100% confident calling your insurance company and asking about adult things like deductibles and covered therapy etc.
OOOoo
YEP
YES
HOW WILL I KNOW IF WE ~VIBE~?
Hey deaf and HoH friends, are you looking for a transcript? Here you go!
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You know those little numbers in brackets that kept popping up in the top right corner of the video? Those are the sources I referenced while researching for this video.
Yes, I'm that...particular about info-sharing. ANYWAYS, tap that button if you're feeling curious!
LOOKING FOR
SOURCES?
FREE DOWNLOAD
FREE DOWNLOAD
FREE DOWNLOAD
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED THERAPY?
If your gut is telling you it's time to seek support—listen to it! Here are a few resources you could use:
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How are you feeling?
Here are some reasons you might seek therapy (this is not a checklist, just some examples) :
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You feel an overwhelming, prolonged sense of helplessness and sadness
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You worry excessively, expect the worst, or are constantly on edge
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You find it difficult to concentrate on work assignments or to carry out other everyday activities
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Your problems don’t seem to get better despite your efforts and help from family and friends
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You've experienced trauma.
- You're grieving.
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You're experiencing changes or disruptions in sleep or appetite.
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You're using substances or sex to cope (in a way that is interfering with your life or relationships)​
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You want to improve yourself but don't know where to start. (If this is your only motivation, you might also try coaching.)
Sources: APA and this 2019 Forbes article
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Ask the SAMHSA Helpline | 1-800-662-HELP
This is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information phone line (in English and Spanish) where you can get referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, or community-based orgs (GREAT if you need suggestions for free or low cost therapy!).
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SAMHSA stands for "substance abuse & mental health administration," which sounds a lil' intimidating—but trust me, it's easy, I've used it!
