NOTE: if you need to speak to someone urgently about your or someone’s mental health concerns and/or if you are having suicidal thoughts, dial this hotline immediately – 1-800-273-8255.
This National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website presents warning signs and risk factors.
Mental Health America has great resources if you are struggling to handle your mental health.
You might be thinking:
“I’d love to go see that therapist. But, will it be covered by insurance?”
This guide will go in length about health coverage for therapy and mental health in Nevada, what therapy is, types of therapeutic treatment and more.
What is therapy?
In a mental health context, therapy is defined by Merriam-Webster as “treatment of a mental or emotional disorder or of related bodily ills by psychological means”
The typical problems therapy aim to solve can range from coping with issues in daily life to dealing with mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. There are many different types of therapy, and some of them might be more effective for specific issues. Therapy might be used in conjunction with medication or other forms of therapy.
Here’s a list of the different types of therapy:
According to the American Psychiatric Association, these are the active and currently used form of therapies.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – CBT aims to help patients identify and modify thinking and behaviour patterns that are harmful or ineffective, replacing them with more accurate or beneficial thoughts and behaviours. It is simply helping a person focusing on current problems.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) – IPT is a short-term type of treatment. Its common goals are to assist patients unearthing troubling interpersonal issues such as conflicts with loved ones, unresolved grief, difficulties connecting with others. After successful treatment, patients learn how to manage their emotions and communicate with others in healthy ways.
- Dialectical behaviour therapy – A form of CBT, Dialectical behaviour therapy helps patients with chronic suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, PTSD and borderline personality disorder. This therapy involves both individual and group settings and is effective in teaching patients taking responsibility in fixing their unhealthy behaviours.
- Psychodynamic therapy – based on the concept that mental well being and behaviour are influenced by childhood experiences and harmful unconscious thoughts and feelings. PT helps patients increase self awareness and remove old ineffective patterns.
- Psychoanalysis – is a more intensive form of psychodynamic therapy. Sessions are typically conducted three or more times a week.
- Supportive therapy – ST helps build self-esteem, reduce anxiety, strengthen coping mechanisms, and improve social and community functioning in patients. It uses guidance and encouragement to help patients develop their own resources.
- Additional therapies (animal-assisted therapy, creative arts therapy, play therapy)
How do you know what type of therapy you need?
If you already have secured a health plan which covers therapeutic treatment but not sure what type of therapy you are entitled to, it is best to contact your health plan provider directly. Your queries will be handled with the right and accurate information.
Alternatively, you could visit your primary care doctor if you are beginning to see symptoms or any issues related to mental health so you can be referred to a professional and qualified therapist to get the help you need.
Looking for health insurance that will cover mental health? Contact our team of professional health experts to find a plan that fits your needs.
So, does health insurance pay for therapy?
In 2008, a law called the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act were passed to ensure mental health coverage services are equally important as physical health coverage. This boosted the quality of mental health care and restructured finances within mental and physical insurance plans.
This law affects these health plans:
- Majority of Medicaid programs
- Insurance obtained from the marketplace
- Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Employer-sponsored health coverage
Consequently, most high quality health plans should be able to cover therapy costs since mental health is regarded as a very important aspect of healthcare. However, there are some plans that do not cover mental health care, e.g. Medicare. There are plans out there that will cover part, or all, of the deductible of traditional psychotherapy.
Again, take care to check the description of your health coverage and discuss with your insurance provider.
Free Mental Health Tips
Note: Nevada Benefits is not a doctor and a place for medical advice. If we provide medical advice, we do it on the basis of free information but not professionally recommended.
There are many great mental health tips you can implement in your life. These tips are supported by scientific evidence. Check them out!
1. Physical Exercise
Any form of physical exercise can boost mental health as well as physical condition. Dr Sharma and his colleagues discovered that there is a strong relation between aerobic exercises such as jogging, swimming, cycling and reduction of anxiety and depression.
They also stated that exercise improves cognition and self-esteem. They recommend thirty minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking for 3 days a week is enough to reap said benefits.
2. Having a Community
Forming connections with people and establishing communal bonds are a surefire way of improving your mental health.
Strazdins, L., & Broom, D. H. (2007) argued that being in a social support network where you receive and give help, your mental health is likely to get better.
Interestingly, partaking in a communal activity such as group singing has positively impacted social connections, feeling of social support and a reduced sense of social isolation, depression and anxiety.
3. Mindfulness & Meditation
An incredibly effective method of achieving inner peace and mental calmness, meditation has been proved several times to be beneficial for combating mental health issues. Healthline listed these science-backed benefits:
- Reduces stress
- Controls anxiety
- Promotes emotional health
- Improves self-awareness
- May encourage compassion and kindness
- Can be helpful in fighting addictions
- Etc.
DM Davis, JA Hayes (2011) also asserted similar sentiments. Mindfulness is proven to regulate emotions better and reduce psychological distress.