Have you felt as though looking for mental health services and identifying which type would best fit your needs was like running through a maze, blindfolded while being guided by the sound of pigeons? You’re not alone.

If you want to avoid this overwhelming feeling, the best place to start is with an initial assessment, which you can get through many different organizations. An initial assessment is conducted by a mental health provider and often takes about an hour. Depending on the situation, it can be conducted in person or through a telehealth service. 

During the initial assessment, a mental health provider will ask you a series of questions to understand what you’re experiencing and what you’re looking to achieve with treatment. After gathering this information, the mental health provider will summarize it in a way that describes your needs and recommend different mental health services that may be best suited to help you reach your goals. 

But how can you get an initial assessment? Below, we’ve compiled a list of options for you to start with when looking for mental health services. 

Crisis Intervention Services 

Crisis intervention services are available 24 hours a day, through designated, local, community agencies or organizations. These services are designed to help individuals experiencing safety concerns associated with their mental health, such as thoughts of harming themselves or others. If you’re looking for mental health services and experiencing any safety concerns, getting an initial assessment through crisis intervention services is the best option. For help determining the most accessible crisis intervention services for your location, go to 211.org. 

Employee Assistance Program

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a benefit offered by some employers. Generally, these services provide confidential, short-term mental health services for a variety of life challenges. One of the many benefits associated with EAP is free access to a mental health provider. The mental health provider can conduct an initial assessment, provide short-term counseling, and refer you to other types of treatment that may be of help. 

If you’re looking for mental health services and have access to an EAP, this may be a great starting point. To determine if the benefits through your employer include an EAP, reach out to your Human Resources or People Team. 

Mental Health Professional Through Primary Care

Some primary care medical groups or practices have a mental health provider on staff. The mental health provider partners with the primary care physicians to assist patients with identifying and accessing mental health treatment, such as brief counseling. If your primary care provider has an affiliated mental health provider, an intake assessment can be conducted through their office. Since the mental health provider is employed through the primary care provider's office, an initial assessment is often covered by insurance. 

Outpatient Therapy

Outpatient therapy is a type of mental health treatment that can help you reduce mental health symptoms and improve your ability to function day-to-day. A mental health provider will conduct the assessment and discuss the various types of treatment options available to you. Insurance will often cover outpatient therapy if your mental health provider is in their network. 

The best first step toward receiving an initial assessment this way is contacting your health insurance plan to understand your mental health coverage benefits and getting a list of in-network providers. Mental health providers who offer outpatient therapy also typically accept self-payment and sometimes offer a sliding scale to provide more affordable cost options. 

Mental health providers often use Psychology Today to promote their specializations and availability. In addition to a list of in-network providers, searching on PsychologyToday.com can make the process of getting an initial assessment much easier. 

Nice Healthcare 

If you have access to Nice Healthcare through your employer, free access to an initial assessment is at your fingertips! You can be referred by one of our in-house medical providers for an initial assessment through Nice Mental Health services. A mental health provider will conduct a virtual initial assessment and help you connect with a therapist–through Nice Healthcare or with a link to local resources and treatment. 

If you’re interested in offering mental health services and access to affordable, convenient care, learn more about Nice Healthcare on our employer page.