Understanding Mental Health Diagnoses

Audio Version

Why You Might Receive a Diagnosis in Therapy

Many clients share the same surprise: “I didn’t realize I received a diagnosis.”
Here’s an important thing to note, if you attend therapy and your health insurance is covering the cost of services, you will receive a diagnosis.

Though, do not be alarmed, this diagnosis is not a label that defines you. Instead, it’s a way for your provider to document that you meet the specific symptoms required for that diagnosis, in order to begin services.

Where Diagnoses Come From

Mental health professionals use the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), a guide created by experts who gather and define symptoms for each diagnosis.

For many years, mental health providers were made to feel that they needed to justify the need for services in order for insurance to cover treatment. Today, insurance companies still require a diagnosis to process payment for therapy, though providers are now met with less resistance as a result of changes made within the Affordable Care Act to include mental health treatment as a covered benefit.

Your Diagnosis Does Not Define You

It is beyond important for you to remember

  • A diagnosis is the starting point to receive the help you are seeking, not your identity.
  • Your provider’s goal in diagnosing you is not to limit you, but to begin working on ways to help decrease your symptoms.
  • You have the right to know and ask questions about your diagnosis.

Your provider’s goal is to help you work on your symptoms, not to box you into a label.

What Happens After a Diagnosis?

After your provider has completed your initial intake evaluation, your therapist will create a treatment plan. A treatment plan is simply a plan for what you’ll work on together to meet your goals.

  • Sometimes, you and your provider will create these goals together.
  • Other times, your provider will document them for insurance purposes without a formal review, but you can always request to see your treatment plan at any time.

Why This Matters

Knowing that a diagnosis is simply part of the process can help you feel safe seeking therapy.
There is nothing wrong with you for receiving a diagnosis from a provider. The diagnosis simply helps open the door to the care you need, and from there, you have the power to make meaningful change, step by step.

If you are interested in help from a skilled contracted therapist or psychiatric medication management prescriber, reach out and give us a call today. We accept Aetna, Aetna State Healthplan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Tricare, and many of the Medicaid policies to include Alliance, Carolina Complete Health, Wellcare, Healthy Blue, and United Healthcare.