Connecting the Dots: Therapy
We know that seeking professional support for your mental health can be overwhelming. To make the process clearer, we've gathered together resources for finding a therapist, information about payment and insurance, and interviews with local therapists. Let us help you connect the dots so that you're able to live, learn, grow, and connect as you would like.
Hear from local therapists about their practices
We interviewed local therapists for their takes on finding the right fit, what to expect from therapy, and how to approach sensitive subjects. Please note: these interviews touch on suicide and self-harm.
Cassy Ainsworth, LSCSW, CDWF
Cassy Ainsworth, LSCSW, CDWF is a therapist, a supervisor, and an adjunct professor. As a therapist, she specializes in trauma work and practices from an intersectional approach tailoring the therapy to the unique needs of each individual person. See full bio in video description.
Dr. Christian Vargas
Christian Vargas, PhD is a licensed psychologist and owner of Congruent Psychological Services LLC. Dr. Vargas has experience working with adults with anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship issues, identity development, life transitions, and stress management. She enjoys providing support to members of marginalized communities who are coping with the additional stressors of society. See full bio in video description.
Juliet Nelson and Killian Derusha, DBT Center of Lawrence
Co-founders of the DBT Center of Lawrence, Juliet Nelson, LCP and Killian Derusha, LSCSW are practitioners of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, a mental health treatment model designed by Marsha Linehan that is evidenced-based and effective for changing problematic behavior. For much more information, see their bios in video description.
Brock Caffee, LCMFT
Brock Caffee, LCMFT helps individuals and families manage distressing feelings and break problematic patterns. Brock has experience with trauma, attachment, relationship and communication patterns, grief and loss, serious and persistent mental illness, parent-child relationships, premarital and prenatal counseling, life transitions, and career selection. See full bio in video description.
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How will I pay?
Insurance
If you have health insurance, you can contact your insurance company for information about covered therapy practices in your area. Your insurance company's website might also have an online database of covered therapists.
Insurance plans differ widely, so be sure to take note of which providers are in your network, your plan's coverage for mental health services, and any payments or fees you'll be responsible for.
Sliding Scale Payments
Mental health professionals know that the cost of therapy can be an insurmountable barrier to access. To combat this problem, some therapists offer sliding scale payments or regular counseling slots at below market rate. If a therapist's regular session fee is $150, the sliding scale might allow you to pay $50 instead. You can find therapists who offer sliding scale slots in Psychology Today's directory.
Local Health Centers
In Lawrence, local centers Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center and Heartland Community Health Center offer sliding scale counseling to members of the public. The Treatment and Recovery Center of Douglas County accepts walk-ins for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
Bert Nash accepts walk-ins Mon-Thurs 8am-8pm, Fri 9am-8pm.
To receive counseling at Heartland, you must be referred by a Heartland primary care physician.
The Urgent Care Unit at the TRC is open from 8am-8pm weekdays and 12-4pm weekends, 365 days a year. Crisis walk-ins are accepted 24/7 at the facility.
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University of Kansas Psychological Clinic
Members of the public can also access sliding scale counseling services through KU's Psychological Clinic. Wait times can be extensive. The clinic offers both telehealth and in-person appointments.
For current students, KU Counseling and Psychological Services offers sessions for $15 per office visit. Students are not required to pay office fees immediately.
Therapy Books of the Last 10 Years
Graphic Novels on Health
Coping with Suicide Loss
Understanding Substance Use Disorders
Disclaimer: This page is not intended to suggest a particular therapist or type of therapy for an individual but is solely for informational purposes.
