Recommend a therapist in Huntsville? (Decatur, Madison: low income, insurance, high school)

[joeyjoejoejr]

Can anyone recommend a therapist (psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, etc.) for treatment of adult depression in the Huntsville area?

Unfortunately Blue Cross Insurance (through their EPS program) will only cover treatment cost if you visit the Alabama Psychiatric Services office in Madison. That practice doesn't seem like it will be what we are looking for -- I've read some very negative reviews online. They aren't taking any new patient appointments until roughly 2 months from now. So we have 2 months to research alternatives.

If insurance will not cover cost beyond that single practice, then we would need to find a therapist/practice/office/org that works with low income or a "sliding scale" payment (aka pay what you can, low/no fee, etc.) system.

Any ideas or recommendations?

Appreciate any help/info.

[Lakebcrew]

Hi,

I am a therapist at the Mental Health Center in Decatur. Unfortunately I do not know of many resources in the Huntsville area that offer reduced fee services, other than perhaps the Mental Health Center of Madison County, Mental Health Center of Madison Co..

Pathways Professional Counseling has locations in Hartselle and Athens and they offer reduced fee sessions. I think they ask you to contribute $1.00 for every $1,000 of annual household income. Counseling Office Locations

You can also check out some of these therapists: http://therapists.psychologytoday.co...untsville.html

I will talk to my coworkers tomorrow and see if they can offer a more specific Huntsville referral.

[joeyjoejoejr]

Thank you so much for the suggestions and help Lakebcrew. I will research the options you mentioned. If you have any other suggestions/ideas (you mentioned checking with coworkers for referral ideas) let me know.

Thanks again.

[Lakebcrew]

Hi Joeyjojojr,

I asked around at work today and was not given any names of specific therapists who accept sliding scale. Most people said that you should call the Mental Health Association in Huntsville to see if they can make a recommendation. Also, you can find a therapist online (by reading reviews, checking out their website, etc.) and then call them directly to see if they offer sliding scale on a case by case basis. Some do.

As far as the Mental Health Center of Madison County goes, I really appreciate lmlitz's review. I really know nothing about them except for the fact that they are a community mental health center and they offer sliding scale to those that qualify. Until now I haven't heard anything bad about them, that's why I gave you their name. It's important to know that community mental health centers serve all sorts of people with the full spectrum of diagnoses (from depression and anxiety all the way to schizophrenia) so a center like that is not for everyone. That being said, many state employees who have PHIP insurance go there (teachers, etc.) so it's not just Medicaid patients. Since lmlitz had such a bad experience, you may want to steer clear.

If I were in your situation, I would probably find a therapist online with good recommendations (that specializes in the treatment of depression and cognitive behavioral therapy) and contact them to see if they'd be willing to work something out payment wise. I've heard about Alabama Psych's scheduling (long wait to get in) and, in this field, that doesn't make much sense. Usually when people decide to get help, they need it soon.

Client-Therapist fit is very important and it's not unusual for people to go to several before finding the right person to help them.

[goodinfo123]

Tree of Life Behavioral Health
Across from Grissom High School
See [url=http://www.treeoflifebehavioral.com]*Tree of* Life Behavioral Health - Home[/url]

[FTG-05]

Who was the husband-wife team that used to write articles in the Hsv Times back when it was a real newspaper.

Patrick something or nother.

[gklimt]

Tree of Life Behavioral Health offers counseling and medication management on a sliding scale. 256-278-2802.

[JDesta]

Originally Posted by FTG-05

Who was the husband-wife team that used to write articles in the Hsv Times back when it was a real newspaper.

Patrick something or nother.

Drs. Patrick Quirk and Margaret Bibb at Longwood Psychological Center. They and Longwood have been around for a long time. They don't do the column anymore, but they're both still really active in the community, and they're both still practicing!

[lmlitz]

[jewel104]

National Alliance for Mentally Ill Huntsville has an online resource directory available at namihsv This grass roots organization can provide a wealth of information and support. I highly recommend NAMI. NAMI Huntsville has support groups for "consumers" as well as families. They had (don't know if they still do) a vibrant library and can provide first hand experiences with various mental health providers. I would suggest that you look thru the online resource and then pay NAMI Huntsville a visit. They are very compassionate and helpful.