How to Get Help When There’s a Waitlist to See a Therapist

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsResearch Another TherapistTalk to Your DoctorContact SAMSHAJoin a Support GroupStart Online TherapyReach Out for Peer SupportAccess Self-Help ResourcesCall a HotlineGo to the Emergency RoomA Word From Verywell

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Research Another Therapist

Talk to Your Doctor

Contact SAMSHA

Join a Support Group

Start Online Therapy

Reach Out for Peer Support

Access Self-Help Resources

Call a Hotline

Go to the Emergency Room

A Word From Verywell

Close

Sometimes therapists and treatment centers have long waiting lists, particularly if there is an increased demand for mental health services. Reaching out to a therapist takes courage. Once you do it, the last thing you want to do is have to wait to see someone.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do while you’re waiting to see a therapist. Keep trying to get the help and support you need.

Consider Reaching Out to Another Therapist

If you’ve seen a therapist before, you might really want to go back to the same person. And waiting until they have an opening might feel worth it. If it’s a long wait, however, you might consider seeing another therapist.

If you don’t have a preferred therapist, you can put yourself on several waiting lists. You can also ask therapists to put you on a cancelation list if you’re able to attend on short notice.

Sometimes, therapists have special slots in their calendars for new patients. And when a new patient cancels, they’re able to take someone else on the waiting list to fill the slot.

Tell your primary care physician that you’re waiting to get in to see a therapist. If your needs are urgent, your physician may be able to help you be seen sooner (some therapists prioritize their waitlists based on need and a call from a physician might move you up the list).

Your doctor may also be able to provide you with information about other resources in your area, such as community groups or classes that could help you manage your symptoms until you’re able to be seen individually for therapy.

Your physician may also want to discuss medication options. Whether it’s something to help you sleep or a medication that can ease symptoms ofdepression, medication might be an option. However, it’s important to note that a combination of medication and therapy has been proven the most effective intervention when treating mental health concerns, as opposed to just one or the other.

Your physician can also rule out potential medical issues that may be contributing to your symptoms. And a physician can provide an assessment to help give you a clearer picture of what is going on with your mental health. While physicians don’t providetherapy, they can be a great source of support.

SAMHSA stands for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. You can contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It’s a free service that is open all day every day.  The service provides referrals to treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

So while the helpline doesn’t offer emotional support or therapy, it can assist you in finding resources in your area.You can also ask for free publications and other educational materials.

There are many in-person or onlinesupport groupsthat address mental health and substance abuse issues. Some support groups are specific to conditions likedepressionoranxiety. Others are geared towards mental health in general or to particular circumstances such asdivorceorgrief.

There are plenty of online support groups for addictions too. Whether you’re looking for a12-step programor you’re interested in a group for a more specific problem like food addiction, there are groups for almost any issue.

There are many online therapy service providers and it’s likely that you’ll be able to see a therapist almost right away. Most of them match people to licensed therapists within a couple of days.

If you decide to tryonline therapy, do a little research to find the site that is the best match for you, as they offer different services. Some sites, for example, may offer subscription plans that include unlimited messaging while other services may only provide live video meetings with mental health professionals.

Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Get Help Now

We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Some organizations, such asNAMI(the National Alliance on Mental Illness), offer peer support. Peer support involves talking to another person with lived experience who has been trained to support others in similar circumstances. A peer could be someone who is living with the same mental illness as you or who has lived through the same situations as you. VisitNAMI’s websiteor contact its HelpLine at 800-950-6264 to look for peer support available in your area.

You could also chat with a volunteer listener on7 Cups, a website that connects people to peers they can talk to. While the listeners aren’t trained mental health professionals, they can lend an ear while you share what you’re going through.

Talking to a peer who understands what you’re going through can be a great way to receive support while you’re waiting to get professional help.

Whileself-help books, online courses, andmental health appsaren’t a substitute for talk therapy, they may be able to help you manage your symptoms while you wait to see someone.

In fact, just knowing you’re taking a step to do something for yourself might help you start to feel a little better. Being as proactive as you can to address the situation can help you feel more in control of your life and what you’re experiencing.

If you are in crisis (for example, if you are feelingsuicidalor like you want tohurt yourself) and don’t know what to do, call a hotline. You’ll immediately be connected to someone who can help. Here are a few hotlines you might find valuable:

If you are feeling unsafe, or you aren’t sure what to do, visit your local emergency room. The emergency room might be able to provide some immediate assistance or treatment options to assist you right now.

If you are on a waiting list to see a therapist, don’t panic. There are many ways to take care of yourself while waiting for professional help, from trying online therapy to participating in a support group to talking to a trained peer.

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Woodhouse AE.Reducing waiting times: using an opt-in system and changing prioritisation criteria.Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2006;11(2):94-97. doi:10.1111/j.1475-3588.2005.00372.xKamenov K, Twomey C, Cabello M, Prina AM, Ayuso-Mateos JL.The efficacy of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and their combination on functioning and quality of life in depression: a meta-analysis.Psychol Med. 2017 Feb;47(3):414-425. doi: 10.1017/S0033291716002774. Epub 2016 Oct 26. PMID: 27780478; PMCID: PMC5244449.NAMI.Types of Mental Health Professionals.SAMHSA.SAMHSA’s National Helpline.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Woodhouse AE.Reducing waiting times: using an opt-in system and changing prioritisation criteria.Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2006;11(2):94-97. doi:10.1111/j.1475-3588.2005.00372.xKamenov K, Twomey C, Cabello M, Prina AM, Ayuso-Mateos JL.The efficacy of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and their combination on functioning and quality of life in depression: a meta-analysis.Psychol Med. 2017 Feb;47(3):414-425. doi: 10.1017/S0033291716002774. Epub 2016 Oct 26. PMID: 27780478; PMCID: PMC5244449.NAMI.Types of Mental Health Professionals.SAMHSA.SAMHSA’s National Helpline.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Woodhouse AE.Reducing waiting times: using an opt-in system and changing prioritisation criteria.Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2006;11(2):94-97. doi:10.1111/j.1475-3588.2005.00372.xKamenov K, Twomey C, Cabello M, Prina AM, Ayuso-Mateos JL.The efficacy of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and their combination on functioning and quality of life in depression: a meta-analysis.Psychol Med. 2017 Feb;47(3):414-425. doi: 10.1017/S0033291716002774. Epub 2016 Oct 26. PMID: 27780478; PMCID: PMC5244449.NAMI.Types of Mental Health Professionals.SAMHSA.SAMHSA’s National Helpline.

Woodhouse AE.Reducing waiting times: using an opt-in system and changing prioritisation criteria.Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2006;11(2):94-97. doi:10.1111/j.1475-3588.2005.00372.x

Kamenov K, Twomey C, Cabello M, Prina AM, Ayuso-Mateos JL.The efficacy of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and their combination on functioning and quality of life in depression: a meta-analysis.Psychol Med. 2017 Feb;47(3):414-425. doi: 10.1017/S0033291716002774. Epub 2016 Oct 26. PMID: 27780478; PMCID: PMC5244449.

NAMI.Types of Mental Health Professionals.

SAMHSA.SAMHSA’s National Helpline.

Hannah Owens, LMSW

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