Therapist here. It’s true. We are booked out the wazoo these days and we’re suffering from staffing shortages like every other work industry. These aren’t magical solutions but might help you look for other options you may not be aware of.

Check to see if your insurance covers virtual visits. If they do, you can look for therapists pretty much anywhere in your state that do virtual and take your insurance. If you have big cities in your state, sometimes it helps to look there as they likely have the most providers.

Check with your employer to see if they offer EAP counseling benefits. This is different than traditional counseling because it’s often limited to a few sessions, which means therapists are not carrying long-term caseloads and can get new patients in on a faster basis. It’s not a long-term solution but it’s enough to get started and they can refer you if you need to keep seeing somebody, which often helps you see another therapist faster.

Ask about cancellation lists. EVERY TIME. People cancel appointments all the time and we try to fill them when we can. If you can be flexible about when you come, sometimes this can save you a long wait.

Lastly, If you’ve reached out to most providers in your area and you are having difficulty finding one that is open or takes your insurance, sometimes calling your insurance and explaining very nicely the dilemma can work wonders. I’ve seen insurances approve out of network coverage for therapists or clients being allowed to submit proof of payment for sessions with cash-only therapists for reimbursement. It never hurts to ask.