How Doctors Can Effectively Refer Patients to Mental Health Professionals
In today’s healthcare landscape, physicians are often the first and sometimes only point of contact for people struggling with their mental health. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, drug or alcohol misuse, or the stress of parenting and relationships, many patients bring these challenges into the consultation room, often without the words to name them.
As a therapist, I’ve had the privilege of working with many individuals and families who say, “My doctor suggested I come.” That simple nudge can change everything. But I also know it’s not always easy to understand when and how to refer, especially when time is tight and mental health resources feel stretched.
Here are five strategies physicians can use to make mental health referrals smoother and more effective for you and your patients.
Know When It’s Time to Refer
Physicians are skilled at spotting the physical symptoms of stress, but many patients present with concerns that are more emotional than biological. Suppose you’re noticing persistent low mood, heightened anxiety, withdrawal, unexplained physical complaints, difficulty sleeping, or relational stress that’s not improving. In that case, those are signs it may be time to connect your patient with a mental health professional.
Simple tools like the PHQ-9 or GAD-7 can support your clinical judgment, but often, your sense that something deeper is happening is enough.
2. Get to Know a Few Trusted Mental Health Providers
One of the most helpful things you can do is build a small, trusted list of therapists you know, people you can confidently refer to because you understand their areas of focus, approach, and values. Do they work well with teens? Understand trauma? Offer couple or family therapy? Are they accessible, culturally attuned, and flexible with payment options?
A referral feels different when it comes with a name and a sense of care.
3. How You Frame It Matters
Referrals to mental health care go best when patients feel supported, not passed off. Instead of saying, “I think you need to see a therapist,” consider, “You’ve been carrying a lot, and I’d like us to bring someone else onto your care team to help you manage this.” This kind of language makes therapy feel like a natural extension of their care, rather than a punishment or dismissal.
Many patients worry about being judged or pathologised. A calm, confident, and compassionate tone from their physician can go a long way in reducing stigma.
4. Make It Easy for Them to Say Yes
A referral is more likely to stick if it’s paired with clear, simple next steps. If possible, give them the name, number, or website directly. Even better, help them make the first call from your office or have someone on your team assist with scheduling. A warm handoff makes all the difference, especially when someone is already feeling overwhelmed.
5. Follow Up and Stay Connected
Where consent allows, stay in the loop. Mental health care works best when it’s collaborative. A short update from the therapist or a quick check-in with the patient at the next visit can help keep things on track and reinforce your investment in their well-being.
Final Thoughts
Referring to a therapist isn’t just about getting someone “off your plate,” it’s about walking with them to a door they might not open on their own. A thoughtful, relational referral can be the turning point in a patient’s journey.
Take a moment today to identify two or three mental health professionals whom you feel good about. Those names may one day be the bridge between someone’s despair and their healing.
Jomo Phillips, MSSW
Couple & Family Therapist
