I hope that you will find the following resources informative and helpful. I believe in providing information freely and openly to educate the public about mental health, the profession of psychology, and their rights as a consumer. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Websites
Helpguide.org is a non-profit website that provides consumer friendly information and self-help on a multitude of mental and physical health topics, as well as relationships, children and families, and aging.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website provides information about mental health and mental health problems.
Consumer Information
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 requires mental and behavioral health coverage to be equal to or better than coverage for physical health, with no annual limits or higher co-pays or deductibles for treatment of mental health disorders or substance-use. The law applies to most employer-provided health plans and to individual plans purchased through the new state and federal health insurance exchanges.
The Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners provides consumers with information relevant to state laws, and also allows you to verify the status of psychologists licensed in the state of Oregon.
Articles
Understanding Psychotherapy and How It Works – American Psychological Association
Does Your Insurance Cover Mental Health Services?- American Psychological Association
The Stages of Change – Experience Life Magazine
Research
Suicide Risk Falls Substantially After Talk Therapy – Johns Hopkins
Talk Therapy Best for Social Anxiety Disorder – Johns Hopkins
Find a Therapist
Please note that professionals participate in a therapist search service on a voluntary basis as a means of advertising their practices, and often have to pay a monthly fee or a yearly membership fee to be listed. There are many professionals who do not participate in such services. While some websites and organizations who offer a therapist search option to consumers do attempt to verify the credentials of the professionals listed, there is little that they can do to guarantee the competency and effectiveness of any particular professional. It is up to you as a consumer to educate yourself so that you have the information you need to carefully evaluate potential providers. Please see Consumer Information above for resources to assist you.
The American Psychological Association provides a nationwide Psychologist Locator to find licensed psychologists in your area.
The Oregon Psychological Association allows consumers to search for Oregon Licensed Psychologists by practice focus and location, and even offers an option to select for languages spoken.
PsychologyToday.com is perhaps the most widely utilized therapist search. The site also provides a wealth of informative articles written by professionals from many disciplines within the mental health field.
GoodTherapy.org focuses on consumer education and advocacy for ethical therapy, and requires professionals participating in their therapist search service to pass a peer-reviewed application and to promise to practice according to their Elements of Good Therapy statement.