Unhappily never after, part 1: finding a therapist when you already need one

Photo by Austin Ban on Unsplash

Note: I wrote this guide in 2019 to fill, IMHO, a serious gap in individual education around mental health. There’s tons of info on finding therapists, but very few directed for when we already feel overwhelmed and horrible, when doing the thing we need most is hardest.
This is a revised, abbreviated version of the guide.
Also: I’ve made reasonable attempt to include functional and relevant links. None of these links should constitute endorsement; they are provided for information only. Also, nothing in this guide should be considered medical advice. Always speak to your physician or health care provider when starting or changing treatment. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency services.

Part 2 covers ways to get care if you are un- or underinsured.
Part 3 describes the various roles and types of therapists, and a summary of some common therapy styles you may encounter.

Part 1: Introduction, insurance coverage in the US (private, Medicaid, Medicare), Canada, and the UK

Finding a therapist is a lot like dating.