If you have pain, swelling, a rash, or a fever, your body is telling you something’s wrong. When you experience physical issues, it’s normal to schedule an appointment with your doctor to find out the cause. But when it comes to your mental health, deciding how to address symptoms like shifts in mood, thoughts, or behavior may seem less clear.
You may even have physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, or changes in appetite, sleep, or energy levels and not realize a mental health issue is the root cause. Sometimes people don’t want to discuss their symptoms or seek help because of the stigma often associated with mental health care.
If you are experiencing symptoms like these, or if something in your life feels off balance, therapy is an option that can help you understand what’s going on and make changes to improve your physical and mental well-being. AmeriHealth members can call 1-800-809-9954 to talk to a member of our Behavioral Health Care Navigation team to get connected to the right care for their needs.
How does therapy work?
Therapy is a form of treatment that provides a structured, supportive space to explore what is going on under the surface. A trained therapist can help you identify patterns, process emotions, and develop tools to cope with a behavioral health condition or even everyday life stressors.
Not all therapists are the same, so it helps to know the different types of behavioral health providers. The term “licensed therapist” refers to professional counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. They are trained to provide talk therapy for a range of emotional and behavioral issues.
A psychologist can also provide therapy but may focus on deeper assessments, testing, and treatments. And if medication is part of your mental health care, you’ll likely see a psychiatrist, who is a medical doctor or nurse practitioner that specializes in mental health and can prescribe medication.
Behavioral health providers are trained to use evidence-based strategies. That means their approaches are based on research and have proven effective through clinical studies and practice. One of the most common methods is cognitive behavioral therapy (or CBT), which helps people recognize and shift unhelpful thought patterns by understanding the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Finding a therapist
It can seem overwhelming to get started when it comes to your mental health. The first thing to do is give yourself credit. It is an important step to recognize that you are ready to feel differently — to change, heal, or grow.
The AmeriHealth behavioral health network includes providers with a wide range of focus areas to help you find the care you need:
- General mental health concerns — Examples include stress, grief, relationship issues (marriage or family), anxiety, and depression.
- Specialty behavioral health conditions — These can include bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and child or adolescent care.
We also offer one-on-one support and guidance for AmeriHealth members to make finding high-quality care simple. AmeriHealth members can call our Behavioral Health Care Navigation team at 1-800-809-9954.
Our Care Navigators will help you find an in-network provider who fits your needs and preferences, and they can even directly schedule an appointment for you. You can also log in at amerihealth.com to search for a therapist in the AmeriHealth behavioral health network using our Find a Doctor tool.
Some of our providers — called our Connect to Care network — are committed to having appointments available for AmeriHealth members in as quickly as one to two days (in person and virtual). Visit amerihealth.com/bhcare for a list of Connect to Care providers.
How will I know if my therapist is a good fit?
Just like in any relationship, you need to find the right fit for you. Consider your preferences for things like communication style, in-person vs. virtual appointments, experience, age, gender, and cultural competence. Different therapists practice differently, so look for someone whose style aligns with your personality (e.g., very structured, action-oriented, behavior-focused, consultative).
Most of all, with a therapist, you want to feel comfortable communicating openly and honestly so you can build trust. It may take a few sessions to get there, but if you don’t think it’s a good fit, it’s okay to try someone new! You are worth the time and effort to find a provider who is a good match. Consider calling the AmeriHealth Behavioral Health Care Navigation team. We can consult with you to help narrow down your search and even schedule an appointment for you.
You deserve to feel your best
It’s normal to feel a little uncomfortable when you first try therapy. But if you keep at it, you’ll gain strength in new areas and build resilience over time. Therapy can be a powerful tool that supports your overall health, improves the emotional and mental aspects of your well-being, and helps you live a balanced, healthy life.
