WellnessLinks is a directory of licensed and credentialed mental health professionals made available to the public at no cost. As a mental health professional and consumer myself, the idea for WellnessLinks was born from the frustration I experienced searching for mental health professionals who could provide specific services, in specific locations, during specific times, and who were providers for a specific insurance or managed care company. Although there were other directories for mental health professionals out there, they often included professionals who were not licensed or certified, their professional information was not updated and current or they were unable to sufficiently narrow the search to locate the desired professional. Other directories require you to answer certain questions so they can select a professional for you or only offer professionals who are credentialed with insurance companies or professionals who only provide virtual visits.

With an increasingly high demand for mental health services – due to many causes, including the covid pandemic, increased violence of all kinds – including gun violence, increased stress associated with being a member of a minority/marginalized group, financial stressors, etc., finding suitable mental health services has become even more challenging. Often when we find the mental health professional who appears to be the perfect fit, he/she is not accepting new patients or clients.

WellnessLinks has sought to address some of these issues.

For the user, we hope we have created a website for individuals looking for a mental health professional who will partner with them in their journey toward wellness. In addition to our extensive data base which allows an individual to search by concerns, type of mental health professional, insurance, etc., we have included a component in which we prioritize listings of professionals who are currently accepting new patients. Our listings include licensed/certified professionals only – and we have developed a system to verify their status regularly.

For the professional, we hope we have created a website that meets some of your needs as well. In addition to offering an opportunity to market your practice in a reasonably priced mental health directory that is limited exclusively to licensed and certified professionals, you and your practice will be found more easily through ongoing marketing by WellnessLinks. We offer ease in registration. Through administrative emails, we provide information that may be relevant to your practice, etc. More importantly for some of you, we offer secure non-public membership in an on-line community of other mental health professionals to get opinions on clinical issues, ask for referrals for professionals with specific specialties, etc.

Though WellnessLinks can be one of the most useful tools in searching for mental health professionals and services, it is also important to recognize what we are not. We are a listing or directory service, not a referral service. Our database is limited to information that has been provided to us by the mental health professional. We are not recommending, guaranteeing, or endorsing the quality of care provided by any of the mental health professionals listed with WellnessLinks. We always encourage users to carefully research a mental health professional before employing their services.

We hope you will find this initial offering of WellnessLinks useful and we welcome your comments.

WellnessLinks is a small privately owned company founded by a mental health professional with experience in a variety of settings including community mental health, hospital settings, private practice, and as a volunteer in community service. She is aware of some of the perils and challenges for mental health professionals and consumers. The other founder brings years of valuable experience in management, sales, marketing and working with the public.