Making the switch to a new psychiatrist

Research shows that people tend to expect and want certain common things from their psychiatric providers. For example, they want to experience relief from their symptoms, understand the causes of their mental health condition, and receive professional recommendations about treatment. If you feel like you’re not getting what you need, it’s completely OK to want to understand how to switch psychiatrists. 

Switching psychiatrists can be a confusing process that may cause some emotional distress. But there’s nothing to feel guilty about, and it’s your right to choose a psychiatric provider who meets your needs. However, it’s also important to go about the switch in a way that doesn’t cause a break in your psychiatric care.

Valid reasons to fire your psychiatrist

There are so many reasons why you might want to change psychiatrists, and they’re generally all valid. While it’s usually recommended that you give the current psychiatric relationship a chance for a few sessions, you may just feel that it’s not a good fit. And that’s OK, even if your current psychiatrist didn’t necessarily do anything “wrong.”

Some valid and common reasons to decide to change psychiatrists include:

The care you need, when you need it

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Insurance issues

Even if you don’t necessarily want to switch providers, you may find yourself needing to do so for insurance reasons. If your current provider no longer accepts your insurance plan, or if you’ve had a change in insurance due to a job loss or switch, you might need to switch psychiatrists for financial reasons.

Lack of availability

Other people choose to switch psychiatrists because of availability and accessibility reasons. For example, maybe you’re moving, and your current psychiatrist doesn’t have a medical license in your new state. Or maybe you’d like to see a psychiatrist with available appointments in the evening.

Not feeling heard

Some people feel like their psychiatrist simply doesn’t hear them or understand them — for many different reasons. It could be that your session times are too short, and you’re looking for someone who’ll be able to spend more time with you. Or, it could be that the psychiatrist’s bedside manner isn’t what you’re looking for. 

Regardless, if you don’t feel heard by any mental health provider, it’s perfectly reasonable to switch.

Needing a different communication style

Different people also have different preferences when it comes to how psychiatrists communicate with them. For example, one study showed that people who’d never seen a psychiatrist before preferred that their psychiatrist introduce new medications to them in a more optimistic (rather than cautious) way. This is a personal choice, and it’s totally fine to look for a psychiatrist who meets these preferences.

Ineffective treatment

Keep in mind that psychiatric treatment is usually a process of trial and error. There are medications that have been found to be effective for certain mental health conditions, but it can take a while to find the exact medication and dosage that works best for you. You may feel tempted to switch providers because the medication they recommended isn’t working for you, but keep in mind that switching providers might not resolve this issue. 

However, if you feel like your psychiatrist isn’t listening to you or isn’t being helpful in coming up with other options, it could be time to switch.

Wanting a specialist

You might also feel like your current psychiatrist doesn’t have the expertise you’re looking for. For example, maybe you’ve been seeing your psychiatrist for depression but have recently discovered that you may also have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Maybe your current provider has noticed some ADHD symptoms in you but doesn’t specialize in ADHD. In this case, you may decide that you want to switch psychiatrists to work with someone who has more expertise in treating ADHD.

Reportable behaviors, like negligence or abuse

Lastly, if your psychiatrist has engaged in any unethical behaviors — including things like breaching your confidentiality or making inappropriate comments toward you — you should always change psychiatrists. These behaviors are reportable and may even be against the law. 

You can report unethical behavior to your state’s licensing board or the appropriate regulatory agency.

Steps to finding a new psychiatrist

Even if you’re sure that you want to change psychiatrists, the process of finding a new one can be confusing. While you don’t necessarily have to go through these steps in order, it can help to keep them in mind while you navigate this process.

1. Inform your current psychiatrist. When you want to tell your current psychiatrist that you’re switching is your call. Some people find it helpful to tell them ahead of time — especially if the change isn’t due to something your current psychiatrist did wrong. For example, if you need to change psychiatrists because you’re moving, your current psychiatrist may be able to help you find a new one. Informing your current psychiatrist can also ensure that you have enough medication to last you before the switch.
2. Research your options. Understand what you’re looking for in your new psychiatrist, and research your options. Choosing a psychiatrist can be tricky, but it can be helpful to lay out the things that are important to you, including things like cultural identity, expertise, and location.
3. Check your insurance. For most people, finances play a role in choosing to work with a psychiatrist. Insurance can help lower the cost. Before committing to a new psychiatrist, it’s best to check whether your insurance plan will cover their services. Some psychiatry offices and online platforms can do this insurance check for you.
4. Request a records transfer. To prevent a break in your care, ask your current psychiatrist to send your medical records to your new provider. You may need to sign a release form. This can help your new psychiatrist understand the history of your symptoms, the medications that you’ve tried, your dosages, and any side effects you may have experienced.
5. Prepare for your first session. Before your first session with the new psychiatrist, it can be helpful to gather information so you can explain your symptoms clearly. If you’re asking for a new medication, make a list of medications you’ve tried in the past and how they affected you. Write down your top concerns and what you’re hoping to get out of treatment so you can use the time effectively.

Things to keep in mind when changing psychiatrists

On top of taking these steps, keep in mind that changing psychiatrists can be confusing and emotionally triggering for some people. You may have worked with your psychiatrist for a long time and built a relationship with them. It can also be overwhelming to feel like you need to start from scratch with a new psychiatrist who doesn’t yet know you and your story.

This is a common experience, and you’re not alone. Whether to switch psychiatrists is a decision that’s entirely yours. But even when it’s hard to switch, keep in mind that you deserve to receive psychiatric care that meets your needs. If your current provider doesn’t do that, it’s perfectly OK to switch.

Find care with Rula

Switching psychiatrists may feel intimidating, but it’s often a necessary part of getting the care that’s right for you. You deserve to feel heard, supported, and confident in your treatment. 

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

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