Getting Connected to Therapy
For Adolescents & Young Adults (AYAs) with Cancer and Survivors
Cancer can affect your mental health at any point: during treatment, after treatment ends, or years later. Many adolescents and young adults experience anxiety, low mood, fear of recurrence, changes in identity or relationships, or stress around school, work, fertility, or finances.
Some survivors wonder whether talking to someone is right for them. If you’re unsure, you’re not alone. Therapy offers a supportive space to explore emotions, manage stress, and navigate the unique experiences that can come with and after cancer treatment. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit; many people use therapy simply as a way to better understand themselves and build coping skills.
💙 You Don’t Have to Be in Crisis
You do not need to be in crisis to seek mental health support. Therapy is a common and important part of whole-person cancer care and survivorship.
✨ Therapy Can Help With
- Anxiety, depression, or feeling overwhelmed
- Fear of recurrence or medical trauma
- Coping with side effects or late effects
- Body image or sexual health concerns
- School, work, or re-entry stress
- Grief, loss, or identity changes after cancer
How to Use the Information Below
If you’ve previously worked with a therapist through the UNC AYA Cancer Program or the Comprehensive Cancer Support Program (CCSP) during treatment, you may now be thinking about transitioning to a community-based therapist. This transition is common, and support is available to help you find a provider who feels like a good fit for your next phase of care.
The resources below are designed to help you connect with therapy in your community—outside of a hospital or clinic setting. To get started, scroll to the section that matches your situation: Private Insurance or Medicare, Medicaid, or Under Insured or No Insurance. Then click the arrows within that section to expand the resources and information you’d like to explore.
If You Have Private Insurance or Medicare
Option 1: Find a Therapist Through Your Insurance
Search Online
- Go to your insurance company’s website.
- Log in to your member account or select Find a Provider.
- Choose:
- Mental Health or Behavioral Health
- Outpatient Therapy or Psychotherapy
- Enter your ZIP code.
- Filter by telehealth and provider type (psychologist, LCSW, LPC, LMFT).
- Make a short list and contact providers directly (see “What To Say When You Reach Out” section below for example outreach language).
Call Your Insurance Company
Call the number on the back of your insurance card and say:
“Hi, I’m calling to get help finding an in-network therapist. I’m a young adult and I’m looking for outpatient mental health care.”
-
- You may also ask:
- Do I need a referral?
- Are telehealth visits covered?
- Can you email me a provider list?
- Do you have providers experienced with chronic illness or trauma?
Ask About a Care Manager (Optional)
Some insurance plans offer care or case managers, especially for people with complex medical histories. You can say:
“Because of my cancer history, I was wondering if I qualify for a care manager who could help coordinate mental health care.”
Option 2: Use Online Therapist Directories
Therapist directories are websites that help you search for licensed mental health professionals in your area or who offer telehealth. You can filter by location, insurance, areas of expertise, populations, and more. Using a directory can make it easier to compare providers, read about their specialties, and reach out to several therapists at once. Below are a variety of options for therapist directories that you can explore:
APA Psychologist Locator
- Best for licensed psychologists (PhD/PsyD)
- Search by ZIP code
- Try keywords: cancer, chronic illness, trauma, young adults
Psychology Today
- Wide range of therapists
- Filter by insurance, telehealth, and concerns
Identity-Affirming & Culturally Responsive Directories
- Therapy for Black Girls
- Asian Mental Health Collective
- Latinx Therapy
- Inclusive Therapists
- National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network
If You Have Medicaid (North Carolina)
A Managed Care Organization (MCO) is the company that manages your Medicaid insurance benefits and helps determine which providers are covered under your plan. There is one MCO for each county in North Carolina. Understanding your MCO can make it easier to identify in-network therapists and reduce unexpected costs.
Option 1: Finding a Therapist Through Your MCO
- Find the MCO for the county where you live.
- Call the MCO’s Access Line.
- You can say:
“I’m a young adult cancer survivor looking for outpatient therapy.”
You can ask for:
-
- Telehealth options
- Providers experienced with trauma or medical stress
North Carolina Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)
Find the most up-to-date list here:
NC DHHS LME/MCO Directory
Alliance Behavioral Healthcare
Access Line: 919-651-8401
24/7 Crisis Line: 1-877-223-4617
www.AllianceHealthPlan.org
Partners Behavioral Health Management
Access Line: 888-235-4673
24/7 Crisis Line: 833-353-2093
www.PartnersBHM.org
Trillium Health Resources
Access Line: 866-998-2597
24/7 Crisis Line: 888-302-0738
www.TrilliumHealthResources.org
Vaya Health
Access Line: 828-225-2785
24/7 Crisis Line: 1-800-849-6127
www.VayaHealth.com
Option 2: Use Online Therapist Directories
Therapist directories are websites that help you search for licensed mental health professionals in your area or who offer telehealth. You can filter by location, insurance (including Medicaid), areas of expertise, populations, and more. Using a directory can make it easier to compare providers, read about their specialties, and reach out to several therapists at once. Below are a variety of options for therapist directories that you can explore:
APA Psychologist Locator
- Best for licensed psychologists (PhD/PsyD)
- Search by ZIP code
- Try keywords: cancer, chronic illness, trauma, young adults
Psychology Today
- Wide range of therapists
- Filter by insurance, telehealth, and concerns
Identity-Affirming & Culturally Responsive Directories
- Therapy for Black Girls
- Asian Mental Health Collective
- Latinx Therapy
- Inclusive Therapists
- National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network
If You Do Not Have Insurance or Are Under Insured
Open Path Collective & Sliding Scale
Open Path Collective
Open Path Collective is a nonprofit network of licensed mental health professionals offering affordable therapy for people without insurance or with limited coverage. Members pay a one-time membership fee and can access sessions typically priced between $30–$70. Telehealth and in-person options are available. See the website linked below for the most up-to-date information about this resource.
- openpathcollective.org
- One-time membership fee
- Sessions typically $30–$70
- Telehealth or in-person options
Sliding Scale Therapy
“Sliding scale” means the cost of therapy can be adjusted based on your income or financial situation. If you don’t have insurance, you can often pay less than the standard fee, sometimes as low as $30–$60 per session. Many therapists listed in the directories below offer sliding-scale fees. When searching, look for a filter labeled “Price” or “Fees” (or something similar) to see providers who offer reduced rates. This makes mental health care more affordable while still connecting you with a licensed professional.
APA Psychologist Locator
- Best for licensed psychologists (PhD/PsyD)
- Search by ZIP code
- Try keywords: cancer, chronic illness, trauma, young adults
Psychology Today
- Wide range of therapists
- Filter by areas of expertise, telehealth, and concerns
Identity-Affirming & Culturally Responsive Directories
See “What To Say When You Reach Out” section below for example outreach language.
What to Say When You Reach Out
You don’t need to share your full cancer story upfront.
Email or Portal Message
Hi,
I’m a young adult who has been treated for cancer and I’m looking to start therapy.
I’m hoping to get support related to __________. Are you accepting new clients? I have ____ insurance (or am looking for sliding-scale options) and I’m open to telehealth (or am looking for in-person therapy).
Thank you,
Phone Script
“Hi, I’m calling to ask about starting therapy. I’m a young adult cancer survivor looking for support related to my health experience. Are you accepting new clients, and do you take ____ insurance (or offer sliding-scale options)?”
🚨 Crisis Support (24/7)
If you’re feeling unsafe or overwhelmed right now:
- Call or Text 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Online chat: 988lifeline.org/
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
💙 A Final Note
- Mental health care is part of cancer care.
- You don’t have to wait until things feel “bad enough.”
- It’s okay to switch therapists until you find the right fit for you.
- Asking for help is a strength.
