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Finding Professional Help

8 min read

Finding the right professional support for RSD can feel overwhelming. This guide covers how to find help in the UK and US, what to look for in a provider, and how to navigate the process.

Finding Help in the UK

NHS Routes

  • GP Referral: Start with your GP. Ask for referral to community mental health or ADHD services if applicable.
  • Self-Referral to IAPT: Many areas allow self-referral for talking therapies. Search "IAPT [your area]."
  • NHS Right to Choose: For ADHD assessment, you can request referral to a private provider paid by NHS.

Private Options

  • BACP Directory: Find accredited therapists at bacp.co.uk - filter by issue and location.
  • Psychology Today UK: Searchable directory with therapist profiles and specialties.
  • Psychiatry-UK: For ADHD assessment and medication (also available via Right to Choose).
  • ADHD Foundation: UK-based charity with resources and professional directory.

Finding Help in the US

Finding Providers

  • Psychology Today: Most comprehensive directory. Filter by insurance, specialty, approach.
  • CHADD: ADHD-specific resource with professional directory (chadd.org).
  • ADDitude Directory: ADHD specialist directory at additudemag.com.
  • Your Insurance: Check your insurance provider's directory for in-network therapists.
  • Telehealth Options: BetterHelp, Talkspace, and others offer online therapy.

Insurance Considerations

  • • Ask about out-of-network benefits - you may get partial reimbursement
  • • Community mental health centers often offer sliding scale fees
  • • Training clinics (attached to universities) offer lower-cost therapy
  • • Open Path Collective offers affordable therapy ($30-80/session)

What to Look for in a Provider

Green Flags

  • Experience with ADHD and/or emotional dysregulation
  • Understands RSD (or willing to learn)
  • Uses evidence-based approaches (CBT, DBT, etc.)
  • You feel heard and understood
  • Collaborative approach to treatment
  • Willing to coordinate with other providers
  • Clear about their approach and what to expect

Red Flags

  • Dismisses RSD as "not real"
  • Doesn't understand ADHD emotional symptoms
  • Makes you feel judged or shamed
  • One-size-fits-all approach
  • Won't explain their treatment approach
  • Pushes medication without explaining options
  • You dread sessions or feel worse after

Questions to Ask Potential Providers

Many therapists offer free consultations. Here's what to ask:

Do you have experience with ADHD?
Are you familiar with rejection sensitive dysphoria?
What therapeutic approach do you use?
What does a typical session look like?
How long do clients usually work with you?
How do you measure progress?
What are your fees and do you take insurance?
How do you handle cancellations?

If You're in Crisis

If you're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please reach out immediately:

UK

  • Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258
  • NHS: 111 (option 2 for mental health)

US

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • Emergency: 911

Finding Help Is Worth the Effort

It can take time to find the right provider, and that's okay. The therapeutic relationship is one of the biggest predictors of success, so it's worth shopping around until you find someone who feels like a good fit.