Many insurance companies provide coverage for mental health services. If you have private health insurance coverage (typically through an employer), check with your insurance company to see if mental health services are covered and, if so, how you may obtain these benefits. This also applies to persons enrolled in HMOs and other types of managed care plans. Find out how much the insurance company will reimburse for mental health services and what limitations on the use of benefits may apply.

If you are not covered by a private health insurance plan or employee assistance program, you may decide to pay for psychological services out-of-pocket. Some psychologists operate on a sliding-scale fee policy, where the amount you pay depends on your income.

Another potential source of mental health services involves government-sponsored health care programs--including Medicare for individuals age 65 or older, as well as health insurance plans for government employees, military personnel, and their dependents. Community mental health centers throughout the country are another possible alternative for receiving mental health services. And, some state Medicaid programs for economically disadvantaged individuals provide for limited mental health services from psychologists.