My practice specializes in helping people find time for self-care, discover balance and implement positive self talk. Many of my clients feel that they do not have enough time to get everything done. They also struggle to prioritize their health and most do not have a primary care provider and have not been to the doctor in years. In mental health after ensuring that our clients are safe, we rule out any medical issues that can be impacting mental health. It is difficult to find a primary care provider that accepts our insurance, has a good bedside manner and has openings in less that 4 months. But our health is incredibly important to all aspects of our lives and should be taken seriously. Here are a few tips for finding a provider that is a right fit for you.

1. Ask around. Talk to friends, family, co-workers, other parents, etc. Aim to get a list of 3-5 health providers from word of mouth referrals.
2. Check with your health insurance to see if any of the providers on your list accept your insurance. If none of them do, go back to asking around.
3. Get on the web. Enter the names of the providers on your list into a search engine and see what you find. Do they have a message that speaks to you?
4. Schedule an appointment. You will not know if your provider is a good fit for you if you don’t meet him or her. I finally found a provider that I was interested in and I had to wait 6 months to see her. It was totally worth the wait. So just schedule!!
5. If you go to the appointment and find that your provider is not a good fit for you. Go back to step 1. Your health is important and it is imperative that you find a provider that you will not try to avoid if you aren’t feeling well.

You will be no help to your children, partner, coworkers, your community, etc., if you are not in good health. Caring for others means that you need to care for yourself, too. Always putting the needs of others first can lead to less sleep, less exercise, poor diet and little time for emotional outlets. This takes a toll on your health. I encourage you to develop a relationship with a primary care provider in your area and schedule appointments annually.