When it comes to your physical health, your body typically gives you a signal when there is an issue, whether it’s pain, swelling, a rash, or fever. These signals tell you something is wrong and needs attention. With mental health, however, the signals can be far more subtle and harder to detect.
Symptoms of mental health concerns often show up as shifts in mood, thoughts, or behavior, which may be overlooked or dismissed. Some people may experience physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive issues, or changes in appetite, sleep, or energy levels. But it’s not always obvious that a mental health issue is the root cause. On top of that, stigma is still an issue when it comes to mental health care, making people less likely to talk about their symptoms or seek help.
If you are experiencing any symptoms like these — or even if you just haven’t been feeling like yourself — therapy may be a valuable tool. And if you are an Independence Blue Cross (IBX) member, we make it easy to get started.
What Is Therapy?
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 psychiatric provider, who is a medical doctor or nurse practitioner who 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.
How Do I Find a Therapist?
It can seem overwhelming to get started when it comes to matters of your mental health. The first thing I want you 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 IBX behavioral health network includes providers from a wide range of focus areas, so you are sure to find the care you need:
General mental health concerns: For example, stress, grief, relationship issues (marriage or familial), anxiety, and depression.
Specialty behavioral health conditions: For example, 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 IBX members to make finding high-quality care simple. IBX members can call our Behavioral Health Care Navigation team at 1-800-688-1911. 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 ibx.com to search for a therapist in the IBX 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 IBX members in less than a week (in person and virtual). Visit ibx.com/bhcare for a list of Connect to Care providers.
Is My Therapist a Good Fit for Me?
Just like in any relationship, you need to find the right fit for you. Consider your preferences for factors 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 IBX Behavioral Health Care Navigation team. We can consult with you to help narrow down your search and even schedule an appointment for you.
Your Health Is Worth It!
Just like if you were doing a new workout for the first time, it may 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.
