Finding therapy can be an overwhelming tasks. Seeking help is an act of bravery. This guide is meant to help you along the path to progress. Have a question about how to get therapy in Vermont? Did we miss something? Send us a message.
Where to start
The first step in getting better is deciding you’re going to get help. The next step is to find the right therapist. This can be a big task.
Here are some tips for choosing a therapist:
- Start by figuring out what you’re looking for. This feels like a simple step, but it’s an important one.
- Consider things like whether you’d be most comfortable working with a female or male-identified therapist.
- It’s important to think about the things you want to work on and how who you work with may affect your progress.
- Don’t be afraid to shop around. It can be difficult to find a therapist with availability, so it can be tempting to work with the first person you find. Try to be patient for the right match.
Finding a therapist in Vermont
There are lots of therapists in Vermont. Many of them are full. That might be because of Vermont’s excellent insurance coverage for mental health. More on that below.
To start the search for a therapist try checking PsychologyToday.com. You might also try your local professional organizations, like the state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
You might also consider asking friends and family for recommendations. This can get you a more personal recommendation but might also take longer to find someone with availability.
Paying for Therapy
Vermont has excellent behavioral healthcare coverage. This is because of the Vermont Mental Health Parity law signed in 2016. This law requires all Vermont insurance plans to cover mental health care on par with physical health care. This means if you have health insurance in Vermont, it includes mental health coverage.
Now, that doesn’t mean the coverage is good. Some insurance will cover all of the cost of your therapy. Some will cover most of it. Some will cover it only after you’ve met a deductible.
What is a deductible? A deductible is a set amount of your healthcare (including behavioral health) expenses that you are required to pay out of pocket before insurance will start covering your care. This can be anything from $0 to many thousands of dollars. Usually if you have a high deductible plan, you will have a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account that lets you put aside money in a tax-advantaged account to cover these expenses. In Vermont, HDHP’s are required to come with an HSA or FSA.
What is a co-pay? A co-pay is a flat amount that you may be expected to pay for each healthcare service. For behavioral health like therapy, this is usually $5, $10, or $20 dollars. Sometimes it’s more. And some plans don’t have any co-pays.
What’s the difference between a co-pay and co-insurance? They’re very similar actually. A co-payment is a set amount while co-insurance is a percentage of the cost of the service. Co-payments tend to be consistent, round numbers. Because co-insurance is a percentage, it tends to change.
What about Vermont insurances specifically? Vermont has a few insurance providers that are offered to all Vermonters. They are Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, MVP and Medicaid. These options are typically available through an employer or Vermont Health Connect, Vermont’s health insurance exchange. The first three private health insurance providers usually have a co-pay and/or deductible that applies to mental health services. Vermont Medicaid has no co-payment or deductible for these services – so they’re 100% covered.
Therapy during Covid-19
Most therapists are providing tele-health sessions while social distancing rules remain in place. Some providers are meeting in person with certain safety rules in place. Luckily, if you have access to high speed internet, you can use a secure, simple platform to meet with your therapist. We’ve all had to get used to a different way of providing therapy – and you’ll get used to it as a client too!
What about insurance and tele-health? Vermont is also progressive in this way. All insurance plans in Vermont have to cover tele-health sessions as if they were in-person.