When you're already overwhelmed, it helps to start in the right place. Answer a few questions and we'll show you nearby agencies that accept Medicaid and see children, with phone numbers ready to call.
Apple Health is Washington's Medicaid program. It offers free or low-cost insurance for kids who qualify.
Most providers require insurance before they can see a child. The good news: most kids in Washington qualify for free Apple Health coverage.
You can apply several ways:
Coverage must be renewed each year. If you already had Apple Health and lost it, you may be able to renew at the same link.
Call the member services number on the back of your card and ask for in-network behavioral health providers who see children your child's age.
Enter a 5-digit zip code or a street address, and we'll sort providers by what's closest to you.
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code or street address.
Street address works too. We only use it to sort nearby providers. Current-location lookup uses your device location and OpenStreetMap.
These agencies accept Apple Health and see children for behavioral health. Call to ask about availability, whether they're taking new patients, and whether they accept your specific plan.
You can keep it simple: "Hi, I'm calling about behavioral health services for my child. They have Apple Health. Are you taking new pediatric patients, and do you accept their plan?"
If it helps, ask one question at a time. You do not need to explain everything on the first call.
If your child is in immediate danger, or you're not sure whether this is a crisis, call one of the numbers below. You don't have to figure this out alone.
If your child is in immediate danger of harming themselves or someone else, or if there's already been physical harm, call 911 first. You can also request that 911 assist with safe transport to the ER if you need help getting your child there.
Call 911Tell them your child is there for a psychiatric emergency. Ask for a social worker or behavioral health specialist. You can ask staff what the next steps are at any point.
Call or text 988 any time. Trained counselors answer. You do not need to know what to say. Also available in Spanish and via chat at 988lifeline.org.
Call 988King County's local crisis line, and the number to call to request a mobile crisis team (CCORS) that comes to you. Free and voluntary. CCORS serves children ages 3-17 in King County and can be on-site within 2 hours for urgent situations. Interpreter services available.
Call 206-461-3222 Learn more about CCORSA real person will answer, usually within a few minutes. You do not need the right words. Just describe what you're seeing or feeling. They're there to help, not to judge.
Same-day in-person and video visits for children and teens who need urgent mental health support but do not need an ER. In-person at Magnuson (6901 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle). Video visits are available anywhere in Washington state. Call ahead. Last appointment is at 7 PM.
Call 206-987-2164 Learn moreIf your child can't or won't talk on the phone, they can text instead. Free, confidential, 24/7. A trained crisis counselor responds within minutes.
Text HOME to 741741A confidential listening line run by trained teen volunteers, for teens who want to talk to someone their own age.
Call 866-TEENLINKThe behavioral health system can be hard to navigate. Here's what the process usually looks like, and what to do if things stall.
A referral is when one provider formally recommends your child for care with another, usually your child's pediatrician sending a form to a behavioral health agency on your behalf.
A referral is not an appointment. It doesn't mean your child is in care. It's a request that starts a process, and the process takes time.
They may add your child to their intake queue, place them on a waitlist, or decide they do not have capacity. This can take days to weeks depending on how busy they are.
Intake staff may try to reach you. If they can't get through, they may try a couple more times, then move on. If you haven't heard back in two weeks, call them. Do not assume no news means you're still in line.
Usually a 60-90 minute meeting where a clinician gathers information about your child, their history, what's been happening, and what they need. This determines what kind of care they're placed into.
If the agency can take your child, they assign them to a therapist and schedule a first appointment. This can take a few more weeks, especially if specific therapist types are in short supply.
If weeks go by and you hear nothing, it may mean the agency is short-staffed, your child is on a waitlist, the referral got stuck, or they do not have availability right now. The most practical next step is to keep following up and reach out to more than one agency so you have a better chance of getting connected to services.
Call the agency directly and ask to speak with intake. Say your child's name and when the referral was sent. Ask: "Do you have a record of the referral? Where are we in the process?"
If they don't have it, call your pediatrician and ask them to resend it.
If a provider can't take your child, move on quickly and contact other agencies. It often helps to reach out to several at once instead of waiting on one referral path.
"Are you accepting new patients on Apple Health for children?"
"What's your current wait time for an intake assessment?"
"Do you have therapists who see kids my child's age?"
"If you're not taking new patients, can you recommend somewhere I should try?"
Ready to start reaching out? Use our tool to find agencies near you and call more than one.
Groundwork is an independent project and is not affiliated with any hospital, healthcare provider, government agency, or insurance plan.
This tool is meant to help families find and understand mental health care options. It is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Information may change. Please contact providers directly to confirm services, availability, and insurance coverage.
This site is not monitored and should not be used for urgent or emergency needs. If you are in crisis, call 911, 988, or use local crisis services.
Please do not include personal health information when submitting feedback or updates.