S2: Mental Health Support
You may already know that therapy is something you require to stay completely healthy or you may be considering therapy for the first time this year. Either way, it may take some time to find the right therapist in your QVS city.
We recommend calling several potential therapists. Taking the time to speak with different providers can give you a sense of what each therapist would be like in a session. Is this someone with whom you can share deeply about yourself?
The Admin Coordinator is happy to help you develop a short list of folks to call.
As you’re deciding which therapist is right for you, it may be helpful to consider: What are you hoping to get out of your time with them? What things do you want to work on or work through? You can and should ask potential therapists whether they have experience with your particular concerns; and if not, ask if they can refer you to someone who does.
You may also want to consider what mode of therapy you prefer, since different modalities can help address different issues. For example, EMDR therapy can be helpful in processing traumatic events, while Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be effective for anxiety, depression, and OCD.
As a practical matter, you should consider where the therapist is located and whether their hours and location fit in with your schedule. Psychology Today’s website has a robust search tool that allows you to search for therapists by specialty, language skills, background, and location.
Finding a Therapist
As a general rule, QVS can pay up to $50 per week for therapy. This amount is flexible depending on your location, your needs, and at what point in the year you are seeking therapy. Please reach out to the Admin Coordinator if you are having trouble finding a sliding scale provider, or if you find a great therapy match, but they are more expensive than the guideline of $50 per week.
We know you have little disposable income during your year, so there are several options for paying for therapy. If your provider is willing to accept payment after services are provided, you can ask them to directly invoice QVS via the Admin Coordinator, and we can pay the bill for you. This is our preferred method of paying for therapy.
If your therapist requires payment at the time of your session, we can work with you to determine payment arrangements. One option is for us to send money to you in advance at the same time you receive your monthly personal stipend payment. In this case, you will need to make sure to send in the receipts for your appointments each month. Depending on your cash flow situation, you could also pay for your appointment up front and ask for reimbursement for QVS.
Ultimately, we want to provide mental health support in a way that works for you, and we encourage you to communicate with your Local Coordinator or the Admin Coordinator should you encounter difficulties in finding a provider.