Choosing the right provider

Deciding to find help is a good first step to improving mental health and wellbeing. If you are helping a loved one find support, thank you for understanding the importance of recovery and care.

If you or a loved one needs help right now for a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

How to use our provider directory

Enter a location and search for providers by their name, conditions they treat or other areas of focus. Then filter by your preferences, like availability, expertise, virtual care and more. You can also get more information on each provider or group, including a map to their office.

Important: You can tour the public directory. But to see providers in your network, you'll need to sign in.

See providers in your network? Sign in or use an access code

See all providers? Tour our public directory. Opens in a new window

How do you choose a provider?

One of the most important factors in addressing your mental health or substance use concerns is finding a provider you trust. Keep these things in mind to ensure the provider you select is right for you:

• Use our provider directory Opens in a new window to explore various provider options.
• Consider the qualities that are important to you, like background and expertise.
• Choose a network provider that works with your health plan or employee assistance program (EAP). This can cut down on your costs.
• If using EAP benefits, first activate your no-cost counseling benefits and then search for providers who accepts EAP.
• Check out the provider's details to review quality and experience.
• Contact us for a referral.

Once you've selected a provider

Call them. If you can talk with the person directly for a few minutes, make sure that they have experience working with people with your type of concerns. You can also ask about their approach. If you feel comfortable, ask to make an appointment.

In reality, you probably will get their receptionist. Ask if they are taking new patients and how soon you can get an appointment. Ask if there is anything special you should bring to the first appointment. Get directions to the office and parking information, if you need it. Some of these professionals have very busy schedules. If you have a pressing need, be sure to voice this when you call or have your doctor contact them first.

Many benefit plans need you to call us for authorization before getting certain services. For those services, you'll need authorization first to be reimbursed. We will authorize services and providers that fit your needs and benefits. (The provider authorized for a service may be different from one you've found).

When it’s time for your first appointment, you can ask more questions like what kind of treatment plan they think is best for you. If you like the provider and the way they work, great. Sometimes you need to talk with several providers to find someone you are really comfortable with. So don't be afraid to move to a new provider if one isn't working for you. It is worth the effort to find the right one for you.

Experience the network advantage

We review the background and practice of each provider before including them in our network. We check credentials regularly. And we share the latest scientific information about behavioral health disorders and treatment best practices. When you see a network provider, you pay only a modest copay and don't have to file a claim — the network provider does it for you. If you see an out-of-network provider, you will need to file the claim yourself.

Contact us if you'd like a referral

If you're a member and are having trouble with our online directory or just want help finding a provider, contact us. We can help you find someone whose training, background and expertise fit your preferences and needs. You can find your support phone number on this site once you sign in or enter an access code.

Activating an employee assistance program (EAP) benefit

If you are an EAP member, you are eligible for no-cost counseling visits with an in-network therapist or psychologist. But you need to activate this benefit before you can use it.

To activate your benefit, first sign in or enter your access code. Depending on your employer and your benefits, you may be directed to another website dedicated to your EAP. Once you’re signed in, you can activate your benefit online or call your support phone number to speak to an EAP specialist who can help you.