When a client loses coverage or can no longer afford care, having the right resources on hand supports continuity of care and helps clients stay connected to support. This article provides a curated overview of referral options and practical guidance for offering them well.
Coverage disruptions can be disorienting for clients and providers. You are not responsible for solving the structural gaps that create these situations, but knowing what options exist and how to offer them well can make a meaningful difference in helping your client stay connected to care.
Finding the right fit
The resources below are organized by type. The right fit will depend on your client's needs, preferences, and situation, and your clinical judgment is the best guide.
National referral resources
Resource & Link | What it offers | Best for | Higher level of care (HLOC) options? |
Searchable locator for mental health and substance use treatment facilities, including community mental health centers (CMHCs); filter by payment type, population, and service | Clients who need to find nearby low-cost or publicly funded treatment, including CMHCs in the client's county | Yes - filter by residential, inpatient, partial hospitalization program (PHP), or intensive outpatient program (IOP) | |
Sliding-scale, income-based clinics offering integrated mental and physical health care; accept most insurance including Medicaid | Clients who need both physical and mental health support or want care coordinated in one place | No - outpatient only | |
Provider and program directory with filters for specialty, insurance, cost, and level of care | Providers looking for vetted referral options, including HLOC programs; familiar and easy to navigate | Yes - filter for PHP, IOP, and residential programs | |
Nonprofit network of therapists offering sessions at $40–$70; clients pay a one-time membership fee | Clients who are uninsured or underinsured and need ongoing individual therapy at a reduced rate | No - outpatient individual therapy only | |
University and training clinics | Supervised graduate student therapy at $10–$30 per session; evidence-based care for common presentations | Clients with mild to moderate presentations who can work with a therapist in training | No - outpatient only |
Free counseling through volunteer mental health professionals; peer support for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | Clients with military or veteran backgrounds | No - outpatient only | |
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) | Peer support, psychoeducation, and help navigating the mental health system; 700+ local affiliates nationwide | Clients or families needing peer support, psychoeducation, or local resource navigation | Indirect - local affiliates can help navigate HLOC options |
211 | Connects to local social services, mental health programs, and crisis resources; coverage and database quality may vary by region | Clients with multiple unmet social needs or who need help identifying what is available locally | Indirect - can connect to local crisis stabilization and HLOC programs |
Always encourage clients to call ahead to confirm current availability, services, and hours before making an appointment or trip.
Making a warm referral
A referral is most helpful when it’s collaborative. As you navigate these conversations with your clients, you may consider:
Framing it as continuity, not closure. Helping clients understand you want them to stay connected to care, even if not with you right now, can support a smoother transition.
Being transparent about wait times and fit. Set realistic expectations about care options so clients are prepared.
Documenting what you offered. Noting the resources you discussed, the client's response, and any follow-up plans made are best practices.
Assessing safety and sharing crisis resources. This can help support client safety between care and assists you with determining their level of care needs.
Note: You do not have to have all the answers. It is entirely appropriate to say, "I'm not sure which of these will be the best fit for you, but let's look at this together." Walking through a search with a client or helping them make the first call can meaningfully reduce the barrier to follow-through.
Supporting at-risk clients
If a coverage disruption is happening alongside an active safety concern, additional support is available through Grow:
Clinical Risk Consultation: Submit a consultation request if you'd like personalized support managing risk during a coverage transition.
Clinical Risk Peer Consultation Group: Bring complex cases to the group for shared clinical thinking.
Safety planning support: If your client doesn't already have a safety plan in place, a coverage disruption can be a meaningful moment to revisit this together.
Clinical takeaway
When continuity of care is interrupted, you can support your clients by helping them explore their options for alternative care. A warm, informed referral, paired with honest expectations and good documentation, reflects the same care you bring to every other part of your clinical work. Clients who feel held through a transition are more likely to stay connected to support.