Weekly Newsletter:

February 25, 2026

For many, navigating mental health care is a daunting task. There are so many doctors, therapists, medications, and therapy types that it can feel overwhelming to pick what’s best for you. There’s also difficulties with navigating insurance and the financial aspect of care. As a caregiver, you may find yourself thinking that there’s no time to seek this care or that it is too costly on top of your caregiving expenses. These are all valid thoughts and concerns, but there are options available that may be able to meet your needs!

What are the different types of mental health care?

There are several types of mental health care and levels of care. The first level of care involves individual talk therapy, medication management (if needed), support groups, family or couple talk therapy, and other types of specialized care.

The best place to start is with a therapist or psychologist for individual talk therapy. These are individuals with either a master’s or doctorate degree that are trained to provide talk therapy. This is the most common type of mental health care. Sessions are typically 1 hour long and occur weekly or bi-weekly either in-person or virtually. You and your provider would work together to determine what areas of support you could benefit from and develop a care plan unique to you.

Some mental health care plans include medication. Psychiatrists are providers with a medical doctoral degree. Frequency of appointments vary depending on medication needs. There is an intake session that typically lasts 30 minutes to an hour where the psychiatrist will speak with you to determine your care plan based on your needs. There are follow-up appointments that are about 15 minutes long, typically monthly for the first year of care, where your provider will see how you are doing on your medication and adjust accordingly.

Other types of mental health care can include support groups, family/couple therapy, and other specialized care types that a therapist or psychiatrist may recommend. Support groups can be hosted by a variety of organizations and are typically led by a mental health professional or certified facilitator. They are a place where people with similar experiences or identities can gather to share their experiences and hear from others. Family or couple therapy is a type of talk therapy with a therapist or psychologist for you and your family or partner to participate in talk therapy together.

When to seek mental health care?

Knowing when to seek mental health care isn’t a one size fits all solution, but the bottom line is everyone could benefit from having someone to talk to about the things going on in their life. You don’t need to have a mental health diagnosis to receive therapy or join a support group. You could even schedule with a therapist and say that you have no idea if you would benefit from therapy or not and they can help guide you to making a decision.

Many wait to seek mental health care until it is absolutely needed. Seeking mental health care early can prevent someone from getting to a point where their mental health is severely impacting their life. As a caregiver, your life is complex in a variety of ways that can take a toll on your mental health. Caregivers can face burnout, caregiver guilt, depression/anxiety, difficulties with managing self-care, grief, and much more - all of which you can receive support for with mental health care.

How do I find a therapist?

There are many ways to find a therapist. If you have a primary care doctor, they may have recommendations or referrals for you. If you have a family member or friend who sees a mental health care provider, consider talking to them about their experience with the provider and see if you would be interested in scheduling an appointment.

Psychologytoday.com is a website used to locate therapy providers. There are several filter options including therapist specialties, therapist gender, virtual vs. in-person, and much more that can allow you to locate providers that meet your needs. The therapists often provide pictures and bios so you can get to know a bit about them!

Many health insurance companies are able to provide you with a list of providers in your area. You can check on your online portal using a find care option if available or by calling your insurance and asking for help with a provider search for a therapist.

The most important aspect of finding mental health care is to know that there are so many options; if you feel a provider isn’t helping in the way you need, try another! Mental health care is not an exact science; it is so important to personalize your care based on your needs. Some providers may be better at that for you than others. It’s important to feel comfortable with your provider. Keep trying until you find a provider you feel comfortable with that supports you in the way you need, don’t give up!

Is mental health care covered by my insurance?

Nearly all health insurances cover mental health care to some extent, particularly individual therapy. You can call your insurance or refer to your insurance documents to locate information on your coverage and cost share. It is important to check with a provider if they are in-network with your insurance prior to your first appointment. They may also be able to provide you with information on your coverage and cost.

For support groups and family/couple therapy, coverage often varies. Support groups that are offered through mental health practices are much more likely to be covered than those not offered through a mental health practice. There are also many free support groups offered through a variety of organizations (like DayBreak’s free caregiver support groups!). Family/couple therapy tends to not be covered by many insurances, though some do. This type of therapy, as well as individual therapy, can be paid privately if you do not have insurance coverage. Some therapists offer a sliding scale payment system where the cost is dependent upon your income.

If you do not have insurance coverage for mental health care and can’t afford private pay costs, there are many resources that exist to help bridge the gap. Check out the resources below!

• Behavioral Health Department of Alameda County: https://www.acbhcs.org/
• Resource Compilation from Cal State East Bay: https://www.csueastbay.edu/shcs/counseling/wellness-resources1/free-and-low-cost-psychiatry-referrals.html
• Call 211 - 211 is a free resource and support line that can connect you with resources in your area that meet your needs.

— Jayde Hart

MCC Program Coordinator at DayBreak

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