Mental Health

If you take medications that treat mental illness (psychotropic meds), your doctor may recommend that you see a psychiatric provider.  These can include:

Psychiatrists - Medical doctors specializing in mental health.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) - These are nurses with advanced training that allows them to make diagnoses and prescribe meds.  Some specialize in mental health (psychiatric nurses).  Often APRNs are able to spend more time with patients than psychiatrists.

Ways to find a psychiatric provider:

• To find a clinic with immediate availability, use Fast Tracker MN (enter General Psychiatry and/or Medication Management in "Service" field).

• To browse specialties and doctor ratings, see websites like ZocDoc or HealthGrades.

• Or you can search your insurance providers network.  Call the number on the back of your insurance card - or if you have a Medical Assistance plan, one of the numbers below:

Medical Assistance/ "Straight MA" (1-800-657-3739)

Hennepin Health (612-596-1036, provider directory)

Health Partners (952-967-7998, provider directory)

Medica ChoiceCare (1-800-373-8335, provider directory)

UCare (612-676-3200, provider directory-for Plan select "Prepaid Medical Assistance PMAP")

Blue Advantage (1-800-711-9862, provider directory)

South County Health Alliance (1-866-567-7242, provider directory)

PrimeWest Health (1-866-431-0801, provider directory)

For details on community mental health clinics in Minneapolis & Saint Paul, see Section 3-E of Handbook of the Streets.

Psychologists are licensed to conduct psychological testing and assessment in order to clarify diagnosis.  Some also provide talk therapy.

Ways to find a psychologist:

• To find an clinic with immediate availability, use Fast Tracker MN ("service" keyword: Psychological Testing and Assessment).

• You can also ask your insurance company to identify a provider for you.

Therapists (including Licensed Professional Counselors and Clinical Social Workers) build trusting relationships with patients over time in order to help address mental health symptoms and build resilience.  Sometimes therapists use specific techniques such as EMDR (to process trauma), CBT (addressing unhelpful thoughts), DBT (skills for emotional regulation), etc.  Psychotherapy appointments are usually one hour every 1-2 weeks.

Note:  Psychologists sometimes do therapy, but are also licensed to conduct psychological testing in order to clarify diagnosis.

Ways to find a therapist:

• To find an clinic with immediate availability, use Fast Tracker MN  ("service" keyword: Psychotherapy).

• To read individual therapist profiles or search by specialty, try Psychology Today (filter by insurance plan, location, specialty, etc).

• You can also ask your insurance company to identify a provider for you.

For immediate help, Walk-In Counseling Center offers free virtual and in-person counseling throughout the week without an appointment.

For other community mental health clinics in Minneapolis & Saint Paul, see Section 3-E of Handbook of the Streets.

Professional Led Group Therapy - These are groups led by licensed counselors who may facilitate conversation, teach skills and (sometimes) offer one-on-one support outside of group.  Some common types of group therapy include:

• Skills Groups - Learning effective ways to handle challenges (anger management, social skills, etc) and practicing skills with other group members.

  • A longer, more intensive skills group is called Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).  Participants learn strategies for self-awareness, emotional resilience and interpersonal effectiveness.  Usually participants must commit to regular attendance.  Sometimes, providers offer phone or text support between groups.   Free, self-help DBT resources are available online as well.

• Support Groups - Facilitated conversation or sharing on topics such as grief and loss, trauma, abuse, specific diagnoses, having loved ones with mental illness or addiction, etc.

Peer Led Support Groups - These include 12 Step programs (AA, NA, etc) as well as other groups facilitated those who share a common problem or concern.  These can include compulsive gamblers, codependents, single parents, trauma survivors, grief groups, family members of addicts and more. 

Case Managers help people coordinate services and benefits.  Depending on your needs a case manager may check in with you monthly, weekly or more.

Types of case managers:

• A common type is Adult Mental Health Targeted Case Management (AMH-TCM).

• If you receive Wavered Services (CADI, etc) you may already have a Waiver Case Manager.

• If you are on a Mental Health Commitment, you may already have a Commitment Case Manager.

• Your insurance company may assign you a Care Coordinator who may provide similar services on a more limited basis.

To apply for case manager:

• Call the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) office in your county.  

  • • In Hennepin County, call Front Door: 612-348-4111 (press 1 for English, then press 0 and ask for an Adult Access Worker); you will be screened for eligibility and referred to a Case Management agency (they may ask for a Diagnostic Assessment or a Professional Statement of Need from one of your current providers).

• You can also apply directly with a Case Management agency.  You may find agencies listed on Fast Tracker MN (Service field: Targeted Case Management).  FastTracker listings are not always kept up-to-date.

ARMHS workers visit you in your home periodically to provide help with basic living and social skills, symptom management, using community resources, budgeting & shopping, household management, employment skills and medication assistance.

To find an ARMHS provider 

• Search for one with immediate availability using Fast Tracker MN ("service" keyword: Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS)).

• Or see here for a list of all ARMHS providers in MN, by county.

Community Support Programs (CSPs) are "drop-in" centers with socialization opportunities, classes, activities, meals and supportive services.  Many require a membership.

A few CSPs in the Twin Cities Metro area include:

• Vail Place (South Minneapolis & Hopkins)

• Avivo (Northeast Minneapolis & South Minneapolis)

• Mental Health Resources (South Minneapolis)

• People Incorporated (North Minneapolis)

• Guild (West Saint Paul)

• Horizons (Eagan)

First Episode Psychosis programs specialize in serving people ages 15 to 40 with early signs of psychosis.  These programs offer coordinated services including psychotherapy, medication management, family support, case management, and work/education support if desired.

To apply:

• Reach out to a First Episode Psychosis provider.

ACT Teams coordinate to make services available 24/7 to help those with severe mental illness reduce inpatient treatment.  Teams typically include a psychiatrist, mental health professionals, one or more nurses, substance abuse specialists, supported employment specialists, certified peer specialists, and other mental health workers.  Meetings may take place in an individual's home and focus on symptom management and all aspects of daily living.

To apply for an ACT Team:

• Search for an ACT Team in your county.

• Or ask a current mental health provider to refer you.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) - An integrated outpatient service model focused on bringing evidence-based practices to under-served communities.  Encompasses physical and behavioral health, including mental health and substance use disorder services.  Services may be available in people's homes.

• Community Behavioral Health Hospitals (CBHHs) - State-run 16 bed inpatient psychiatric facilities providing short-term care for people with severe mental health conditions.

• Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) - Intensive, multidisciplinary day treatment to resolve or stabilize an acute episode of mental illness.

• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) - Lower intensity day treatment than Partial Hospitalization; allows participants to time to maintain work, school or family obligations.

  • • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) - An evidence-based set of clinical and rehabilitative interventions involving individual therapy, group skills training, and telephone coaching.  Especially effective for individuals who are suicidal, engaging in self-harm behaviors, and/or diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder.

    • Various other IOPs focus on diverse populations (adolescents, families, veterans, chronic illness, etc) and needs (eating disorders, perinatal/postpartum issues, trauma, substance use disorders, co-occuring disorders, etc).