How to find a social worker?

Hello @1nfo I would start with your PCP, as I just asked mine the same question, and he said he would have one of the social workers from the medical place I seek treatment call me. However, no one has contacted me. On the other hand, someone from my health insurance plan did call me, and we have a telephone appointment next week. I do not know what kind of insurance you have, but it might be worth asking them if you have coverage for psychotherapy and if there is a copay. I do not have one, but know all plans are different. There is a shortage of good ones as a result of COVID, and I can say from my personal experiences lately, it is hard to find a good therapist, either via tele therapy or in person. Take a look at this tree and the sky, and think about the sun shining on your back if you are able to do so.
Best

Thank you 🙂

I too am on medicare. There are VERY limited resources in my area. I use Psychology Today website. They have a bank of therapist and psychiatrist listed for each state, what insurance they take and a bio on the therapist. I went through 2 before I found one I felt that we connected. She is hundreds of miles away in my state. We meet via Zoom. She has already helped me so much. Hope this helps. Prayers that you find who you need.

Thank you!

Agree!

in reply to @1nfo Hey there. I had a conversation yesterday with a social worker from my doctor's office, and she commented that many therapists are unwilling to take an assignment (medicare), and that it is difficult to find a good therapist, at least here in California. She mentioned many of the online platforms that offer tele therapy, which I have participated with in the past. Unfortunately for me, both experiences turned out to be less than favorable. If you end up using tele therapy, I would make sure that you "interview" the prospective therapist very well so that you can ascertain that the one you choose is a good fit. I think I mentioned checking with your insurance company as well. I do not know if you are in Medicare. I am because of my social security disability. I have a fairly good advantage plan, and a social worker from the insurance company is calling me today to tell me about some additional resources. If she provides me with some good advice I will certainly post it for you. In the meantime I press and dry flowers to make cards. Here is a flower for you. Best

Thank you so much for your message ! I actually have a therapist but I am looking for a traditional social worker like the one you spoke to at your doctor's office and from your insurance company. How did you arrange these contacts? I also have Medicare/SSDI.
Thank you for any advice.

Hello @1nfo My doctor set up the appointment with a social worker, and I actually spoke to her yesterday. Can you ask your PCP to have a social worker from your medical group to contact you? I have Sutter Health here in California, and they do have social workers available to patients. My Medicare Advantage plan via Alignment also has a social worker, and I spoke to her today. Granted, it was just a check in type of call, but it was very helpful to me, as was the social worker I spoke to yesterday. I would be surprised if your medical group and/or insurance company does not have a social worker available to you. Can you call "patient services" at the hospital associated with your medical group and ask them? I really wish I could provide you with more help, but not knowing what kind of Advantage Plan you have, if you have one, it is difficult for me to provide you with more helpful information, and I am very sorry about this. I understand it is frustrating. I do not know why you want to speak to a social worker, but there are also social workers who work for the County, and depending upon your needs, the County may be able to assist you. Let me know how it works out. Hang in there. It's not easy trying to navigate the medical system like it used to be, and I have found that one has to be more proactive now than ever before.
Best of luck.

Any time if hospitalized they have social workers .

Dear Frances007, thank you so much for the information, this is extremely helpful. 🙂