Things to Know When Seeking a Mental Health Professional, with Meghan Beier, Ph.D.
Finding a therapist who truly fits your needs — especially if you live with a chronic illness — is possible with the right knowledge and questions.
By
Lana Pine
| Published on May 30, 2025
2 min read
Finding the right mental health provider can feel overwhelming — especially if you’re managing a chronic illness like multiple sclerosis (MS). In honor of World MS Day, we sat down with Meghan Beier, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at Rowan Center for Behavioral Medicine and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, who specializes in helping patients with chronic conditions.
She emphasizes that not all therapists are the same. Just as doctors have specialties, mental health professionals often focus on specific areas like trauma, medical psychology or anxiety.
Knowing what you need — and what a provider offers — is crucial to finding a good fit. It’s also helpful to understand the roles of different professionals: Psychiatrists prescribe medication, while psychologists, social workers and licensed counselors typically provide therapy, each with their own unique expertise.
If it’s difficult to find someone local with the specific background you’re looking for, don’t limit your search to your zip code. Thanks to programs like Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) and similar interstate licensure compacts, many patients can now see specialized providers across state lines via telehealth.
Insurance can also be a major hurdle, as many therapists no longer accept it. However, Beier recommends asking about tools like “superbills” (which allow you to seek reimbursement from your insurer), single case agreements (which sometimes allow an out-of-network provider to be covered for you specifically), and sliding scale or pro bono services.
With a bit of guidance and persistence, finding compassionate, specialized mental health support is possible.
4 Things to Know When Seeking a Mental Health Professional:
- Match your needs with their specialty: Not all therapists are trained the same.
- Know your provider types: Psychiatrists prescribe; psychologists and others provide therapy.
- Look beyond your area: Telehealth and interstate compacts can widen your options.
- Ask about payment options: Superbills, single case agreements and sliding scale fees can make care more accessible.
More on Multiple Sclerosis
