Referrals

Referrals and Additional Support

There are times when self-guided practices and coaching are not enough. This page is here to help you recognize when it might be helpful to bring in other support, and to offer a few starting points.

Nothing on this page is medical, legal, or mental health advice. It is for general information only and is not a substitute for care from a licensed professional who knows you and your situation.

If you are in crisis or feel unsafe, please use the crisis resources below or contact emergency services in your area right away.

If you are in crisis right now

If you are in immediate danger, thinking of harming yourself or someone else, or feel unable to stay safe, please treat this as an emergency. Do not wait for a coaching session or email reply.

Instead, consider one of the following options, depending on where you live: 

United States

  • Call or text 988 or use chat via the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency number if you or someone else is in immediate danger.

If you are outside the United States

  • Contact your local emergency number.
  • You can look up international crisis lines through organizations such as Befrienders Worldwide or through your local health services.

If you use any of these resources, you are not failing. Reaching out for support is a sign of care for yourself and the people around you.

When coaching may not be enough

Coaching can be a powerful support for growth, career transitions, and navigating change. At the same time, there are situations where therapy, medical care, or other specialized services are a better fit.

It may be helpful to seek additional support if you notice any of the following:

  • Persistent or worsening anxiety, depression, or mood swings that interfere with daily life
  • Trouble functioning at work, at school, or in relationships
  • Major changes in sleep, appetite, or energy that last more than a couple of weeks
  • Thoughts of hurting yourself or others
  • Difficulty coping with trauma, abuse, or significant loss
  • Substance use that feels out of control or is affecting your health, work, or relationships

If you recognize yourself in several of these, consider using the referral ideas below and contacting a licensed mental health or medical professional.

Finding a therapist or counselor

A good therapist is a partner in your wellbeing. They can help with patterns that are hard to change on your own, such as chronic anxiety, burnout, low mood, or relationship struggles.

Here are a few ways people often start:

  • Ask your health insurance provider for a list of in-network mental health professionals.
  • Search reputable directories such as Psychology Today or other professional associations in your country or region.
  • Talk to your primary care provider and ask for mental health referrals.
  • Ask trusted friends or colleagues if they are willing to share recommendations.

When you are considering a therapist, you might ask:

  • What experience do you have with concerns like mine
  • How do you typically work with people
  • What does a first session with you look like
  • Do you offer online sessions or only in person

You have the right to find a provider who feels like a good fit for your values, culture, and goals.

Access and cost: tools that may help​

Headway

Headway is building a large network of therapists who accept insurance. Their platform connects people with therapists who can take their health plan, and supports therapists in building sustainable practices.
On the client side, you can search by:

  • Insurance plan
  • Location and availability
  • Therapist specialties and focus areas
  • Types of therapy or modalities you are interested in

This can be a helpful starting point if you know you want to use insurance and value having filters for both clinical focus and identity based preferences.

Mentaya

Mentaya focuses on helping people work with therapists who do not accept insurance directly by maximizing out of network benefits. Instead of finding only in network providers, it helps you use the out of network portion of your insurance plan, when available.

Their services typically include:

  • Verifying whether you have out of network mental health benefits and estimating how much you might be reimbursed for therapy
  • Submitting claims on your behalf and offering support around the process
  • Tracking reimbursements so you are more likely to receive any money your plan will pay back

Mentaya reports that many clients receive a significant portion of their therapy costs back through reimbursement. Actual results depend on your specific insurance plan and coverage.

 

Other types of support

Support groups

Peer and professionally led groups can be helpful for grief, addiction recovery, chronic illness, caregiving, or life transitions. These are sometimes hosted by hospitals, community centers, or national organizations.

Coaching

Coaching focuses on goals, accountability, and growth. It is not a replacement for therapy or medical care, but it can complement those supports once you have enough stability to work on change and possibility.

Community resources

Depending on where you live, there may be community mental health centers, non profit organizations, financial counseling, legal aid, or spiritual communities that offer additional support at low or no cost.

How I handle referrals

As a coach, I do not diagnose, treat, or manage medical or mental health conditions. If I notice that what you are bringing into our work may be better served by therapy, medical care, or another professional service, I will name that gently and invite you to consider a referral.

When appropriate, I can help you think through what you are looking for in a provider, how to ask questions about fit, and how to talk with your care team about what you need. Any decision to seek additional support is always yours.

If at any point I believe you are not safe, or that our work together is no longer appropriate without other support in place, I will talk with you about pausing or restructuring our coaching relationship so that your wellbeing stays at the center.

Important note

These platforms are only examples and may or may not be available or appropriate for you, depending on your location and insurance. Always confirm details directly with your insurance provider and with any platform or therapist you choose to work with. Nothing here is medical, legal, or mental health advice, and it is not a substitute for care from a licensed professional who knows you and your situation.