Fresno, California Therapists

Guide to Finding Mental Health Professionals in Fresno, California

Mental Health in Fresno

Located in the San Joaquin Valley region of California, Fresno has an estimated population of about 428,000 according to the 2017 census. Fresno is the fifth largest city in California and is the seat of Fresno County, an area richly steeped in agriculture. As recently as 2007 its total agricultural production, which totaled $5.3 billion, made Fresno County the leading agricultural county in the U.S. The city continues to grow and has become the 34^th– most populous city in the nation but it is not immune to mental health issues that affect the rest of the state. California as a state has a wide and varied demographic or residents and the rates of mental illness can differ from city to city depending on the overall economic health of the area. In general, the  poorest areas of the state were found to have higher rates of mental illness, and were also those that had limited numbers of licensed professionals available in the area. With a poverty rate estimated at 27% of the population in 2010, Fresno is a prime example of this shortfall of qualified care.

Socioeconomic Impact and Youth Hospitalizations

With poverty as a grave concern for the residents of Fresno, so is the impact that these socioeconomic hardships can have on their mental health as well.  The rate of mental disorders and substance use went up in Fresno County significantly between 1980 and 2014.

The youngest members of the community are also experiencing hardships where their mental health is concerned. According to one study, mental health hospitalizations for youth in California has gone up 50 percent from the period between 2007-2015. Seven counties within the state had their rates rise by more than 100 percent. Fresno County alone accounted for a dramatic rise of 241 percent. Being one of the largest cities in the state, Fresno has a role to play in creating programs that provide support for its younger residents.

Regardless of your age or circumstance, you should be able to have access to the help that you need when you are feeling stressed, going through a depression or are being affected by other conditions that prevent you from fully engaging in life.

Coming to the realization that you need support can be a big step, and we want to help you find a therapist that is right for you in the Fresno area. With the different types of professionals available it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We suggest spending some time to think about your unique requirements.

Where to Start Your Search

If you are stuck on how and where to start your search, a good place to start is by considering the reasons that you are seeking help. If you understand your goals and what you want to get out of therapy, you’ll be better able to identify the type of help you might need. The beginning of your search is a good time to think about what your preferences in a mental health professional might be. Here are a few questions you may want to start with:

• Can you describe that issue that you are wanting help with?
• Are you more comfortable working with a male or a female therapist?
• How much time do you have to devote to the therapeutic process on an ongoing basis?
• Are you suffering from an affliction that would be best addressed by a specialist?

With these questions in mind, you’ll be able to better narrow your search and have a simpler time of finding the right mental health professional for you. Working with someone who understands your condition and with whom you feel comfortable can be very important to the treatment process.

Therapy and Your Health Insurance

You may need to find a mental health professional that fits within the framework of your health insurance coverage. In many cases, certain health insurance companies will exclusively work with professionals in their network. Getting in contact with your health insurance company about how their coverage works for therapy and other related services is a good plan.

How to Connect with a Fresno Mental Health Professional

On our site, you can connect with Fresno-based therapists and mental health professionals who are qualified to help with your specific needs. You can browse the up-to-date professional bios and profiles and find the correct fit for you. Being able to compare professionals and narrow down the likeliest matches for what you need makes the search process run more smoothly. You can reach out to several that you think might be good to work with and from there ask any questions you may have. It may take communication with a few people before you find the right fit for you, but it will be worthwhile to find the support you need when you are dealing with times of crisis and need someone to talk to.

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to access the help you need that can improve your quality of life.