The idea of trying to find an off-campus therapist or psychiatrist can feel intimidating, especially if you are already feeling overwhelmed by other life concerns. It can be hard to know how to start the process. Understanding your options is important. 

This guide is meant to provide some information and insight for students looking for off-campus mental health services and hopefully, to make this next step easier. For a directory of community based therapists in Saint Louis and nationwide, please utilize WashU’s mental health provider directory, Thriving Campus.

What is the difference between counseling and psychiatry?

Counseling

Talk therapy where counselors work with clients on strategies to overcome obstacles and personal challenges that they are facing. Sessions generally last 50 minutes and can be scheduled one time a week or adjusted to the client’s individual needs.

The professional providing the counseling might have a degree as a counseling or clinical psychologist, licensed professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist.

Psychiatry

Medical doctor, a physician’s assistant or a certified registered nurse practitioner whom you may consult to see if medication may be helpful for your symptoms. In Missouri, most psychiatrists only provide medication management so it is often recommended to have a therapist as well.

Appointment availability can be limited particularly with psychiatric providers. Psychiatric wait lists in the community are often anywhere from one to three months. You may have to call several to see who has openings.

How do I find the right therapist or psychiatrist for me?

Use Thriving Campus to find information about various off-campus providers in St. Louis or your current location in the U.S. who work with students. You can use filters to customize your search such as insurance provider and treatment specialization, (e.g.“depression”). The site also provides therapist bios, pictures, and maps to the therapist’s office.
Ask your insurance provider for a list of providers accepted by your plan. You can do this by calling the 800 number on the back of your insurance card. Also, your insurance company may have a website search engine for locating providers in your plan.

Are there any mental health agencies nearby?

Below is a list of agencies in the community that have served our students.

Clayton Behavioral​
Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute​
St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute
The Spot​

How do I schedule an appointment?

In order to schedule an appointment, you will often need to  leave a message on a confidential voicemail. Be sure to call from a quiet place, and repeat your name and phone number clearly and slowly.

You can leave a message like this

“Hi (provider’s name). My name is ________ and I am looking for a therapist to meet with on a weekly basis and I have _________ insurance. I was hoping to find a time to meet to see if we might be a good fit to work together. If you could call me back at ___________, that would be great. Looking forward to hearing from you.”

Questions to ask when you speak with the provider

Are you currently accepting any new clients?
How soon would an appointment be available?
Do you still take ______insurance for payment?
What forms of payment do you accept? (example: can I pay with my credit card?)
What are your policies about payment? Do I need to pay the co-payment at the first visit?
Where is your office located? What are the transportation options?
Is there anything I should be aware of?
If you are reaching out to a potential mental health provider by email, note that email is not a secure or confidential mode of communication. Avoid giving any information other than what is suggested in the phone script above. Most providers will agree to a brief 15-20 minute consultation by phone. This is the time to share what you’re hoping to work on.

What else is important to know when making an appointment?

If you do not have transportation, look for providers that are accessible by walking, biking or public transportation.
An option to help save money is to consider asking your therapist if attending therapy bi-weekly would be appropriate (rather than weekly sessions). Additionally, some therapists or clinics might be willing to work with you on a “sliding scale fee” if you ask.
After you have your first appointment, recognize that it may take a couple of visits to feel comfortable with your new therapist or psychiatrist. This is especially if you are going off campus after working with a CCPS therapist whom  you really liked.
If it doesn’t feel like you are “clicking” with the new therapist, don’t be afraid to tell them. They may be able to adapt to your needs or be able to suggest someone else that would fit you better.

How does health insurance work?

Locate your insurance card
Call  the toll free number on the back of your insurance card to request information about  “mental health benefits” 
When the representative answers your call, they will ask for your ID # off the front of the card
Ask the representative for information about your “outpatient mental health benefits.” They will tell you if you will owe a deductible or co-payment for visits, and how many visits you will be allowed per year
Ask the representative for a listing of names of therapists and/or psychiatric services in the ZIP code of 63105 or your local ZIP code 
The representative should give you a website where you can look up the information

Definitions

Deductible

Amount of expenses that must be paid out of pocket (full price) before the insurance coverage begins. Under most plans, deductibles do not apply to many health services, including routine office visits with primary care providers, where the patient is only expected to pay a copay. It is always a good idea to contact your insurance company to find out more about your plan benefits and responsibilities.

If you have the university’s student health insurance (SHIP), you will have a $350 deductible for any in-network services you receive off campus. However, you do not have to meet your deductible before seeking off-campus outpatient therapy services (as this is considered an office visit). The out-of-network deductible for the university’s student insurance plan is $1,000.

Co-payment

Copay for short. set fee for appointments, usually much lower than the full cost of treatment. The university health insurance copay is $25 for in-network services with a community provider (for both counseling and psychiatric services). If you will be using a different insurance, your copay for counseling may differ. You can check the front of your insurance card or call your insurance company to verify this cost.

How will I get there? (transportation options)

St. Louis is an urban city with several transportation options students can use for getting to/from community mental health services. Please note that very few providers work within walking distance of campus.

WashU Transportation: detailed descriptions of various transportation options including helpful links to maps and instructions.
U-pass: free Metro passes to full-time students. U-Pass offers students much greater access to the St. Louis metro area through public transit. It applies to both Metro buses and the MetroLink light-rail system.
Campus Shuttles: complimentary transportation around the Danforth Campus and local neighborhoods.
Car Share: access to the convenience of car sharing for the WashU community. Students over the age of 18 are eligible to apply for Car Share membership.
Uber: free app to arrange for pick up and transportation. 
Laclede Cab: cab service via phone, text message, text to 314-626-TAXI (8249), Laclede website, and the STLtaxi App.

Would you like additional support accessing community resources?

We are here to help if you need further assistance.
Whether you would like help finding a provider, navigating insurance questions, or support in contacting potential providers, our care manager is here to help.
Should you be interested in seeking support from our Care Manager, please call our office at 314-935-6695. During the call, specify that you would like assistance with off-campus services, and the staff member will help you get connected with our mental health care manager.