2020 has brought with it challenges that few of us could have predicted. We are now seven months into the global COVID-19 pandemic, the likes of which have not been seen in 100 years. At the same time, we are also battling societal epidemics that are not new, but are no less insidious: systematic racism, police brutality against BIPOC people, transphobic violence, and political attacks on the rights of LGBTQIA+ people, women, communities of color, and low income communities.
In response to these uncertain times, the demand for behavioral health care has increased dramatically nationwide. Here at Fenway Health, we are seeing an unprecedented number of individuals requesting psychotherapy services. Thanks to the expansion of our telehealth services, we have been able to continue seeing patients remotely during the pandemic. Telehealth has also allowed us to provide care to patients from all over Massachusetts and surrounding states. All of our therapy and support groups are also being held via telehealth.
Unfortunately, the number of new requests for individual and couples psychotherapy that we have received in recent months has greatly outweighed our current staffing capabilities. At the moment, we are seeing psychotherapy appointment wait times of up to six months for new clients. While demand for psychotherapy services has always resulted in some wait times, it has never before reached this length. Please know that we are making every effort to address this, and see this lengthy wait time as a short-term challenge, NOT the new standard.
We are deeply sorry that current wait times for psychotherapy are so long; we know how frustrating and disheartening this is for individuals who are wanting to establish therapy care with us. We are doing everything in our power to bring our capacity up to the levels we’ll need to meet this unprecedented need in our community.
Please know that we remain available to new clients for evaluations, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you are in need of therapy and other behavioral health services. Individuals who prefer to receive therapy at Fenway will be added to our waitlist. We are also happy to assist with referrals for those who need more immediate services.
Also, please know that this new wait time is for individual psychotherapy services only. All other behavioral health services are currently operating at pre-COVID time frames. This includes therapy and support groups, our Addiction Recovery and Wellness Program, our Violence Recovery Program, and our integrated behavioral health support services that individuals who receive primary medical care at Fenway can access through their medical provider. Please reach out if you would like more information about accessing any of these options.
Our acupuncture clinic is also now open for in-person care on Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM, with the last treatment starting at 4:10 PM.
We still provide Gender Affirming Surgery letters; wait times are somewhat longer than usual, and we will do our best to accommodate any request.
We know how badly individuals need support right now, and we are truly sorry that our psychotherapy wait times are so long. Fenway Health will always do everything in our power to meet the care needs of our community, no matter what. As we work to lower these wait times, here are some more immediate resources that we hope will be helpful during these difficult times:
Psychology Today
www.psychologytoday.com
This website offers a robust search tool for finding therapists in your area.
Social Work Therapy Referral Service
617.720.2828
This is a free telephone referral service that is user-friendly and confidential. Their network of licensed therapists provides services to most Massachusetts areas. Personal information is not disclosed to any outside parties.
Help Pro
www.helppro.com
This is an online therapist referral service. Matches are found by location or by entering more detailed search criteria.
GLMA
www.glma.org
GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality (previously known as the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association) is the world’s largest and oldest association of LGBTQIA+ healthcare professionals. LGBTQIA+-identified and friendly providers can be found by using the “find a provider” feature.
Your insurance company
If you are insured, your insurance company is a valuable resource when looking for a therapist. You can find a behavioral health provider in your area by calling the customer service number on the back of your insurance card.