Resources
This page is designed to provide general, practical guidance for individuals seeking mental health support in Pennsylvania and Illinois. It is intended to help you understand how to access care, what options exist, and what steps to take depending on your level of need.
If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency, please use the crisis resources listed below.
CRISIS & IMMEDIATE SUPPORT
If you are in immediate distress, feel unsafe, or are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, support is available 24/7.
- Call or text 988 – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.)
- 988lifeline.org – online chat support
- If you are in immediate physical danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room
These services are free, confidential, and available at all times.
If possible, you may also reach out to a trusted person in your life while accessing support.
When to seek mental health care?
People seek mental health support for many reasons, including but not limited to:
- persistent anxiety or emotional overwhelm
- depression or loss of motivation
- trauma-related symptoms
- difficulties in relationships
- attention, focus, or executive functioning challenges
- burnout or chronic stress
- life transitions or emotional dysregulation
You do not need to be in crisis to seek care. Many people begin when functioning feels harder than usual or emotionally unsustainable.
TYPES OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Understanding the differences between providers can help you choose appropriate care:
Therapist / Counselor / Clinical Social Worker
- Provides talk therapy and ongoing psychological support
- Focuses on emotional, relational, and behavioral change
Clinical Psychologist
- Provides therapy and psychological assessment/testing
- Can diagnose mental health conditions
- Specializes in complex clinical formulation and evaluation
Psychiatrist
- Medical doctor specializing in mental health
- Can prescribe medication
- Often focuses on medical management of symptoms
Many individuals benefit from a combination of these services depending on their needs.
THERAPY, PSYCHIATRY, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
It is common to feel uncertain about what type of care is needed.
- Therapy focuses on ongoing emotional support and change
- Psychiatric care focuses on medication and biological treatment
- Psychological evaluation provides diagnostic clarity and structured assessment of cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning
Each serves a different role, and in many cases, they are used together as part of a broader care plan.
ACCESSING CARE IN PENNSYLVANIA & ILLINOIS
Mental health services can typically be accessed through:
- private practice clinicians
- hospital outpatient programs
- community mental health centers
- university training clinics
- insurance provider directories
- employee assistance programs (EAPs)
Availability, wait times, and cost structures vary depending on setting and coverage.
COST, INSURANCE & AFFORDABILITY
Access to care may depend on:
- insurance coverage and network participation
- private pay rates
- sliding scale availability
- employee assistance programs (EAP benefits)
- community mental health funding options
If cost is a concern, community clinics and training clinics often provide lower-cost services.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN STARTING CARE
The first step in mental health care typically involves an intake process, which may include:
- discussion of current concerns
- review of personal and psychological history
- clarification of goals for care
- discussion of treatment or assessment options
Confidentiality is a standard part of all licensed mental health services, with exceptions only in cases of risk or legal requirement.