The Therapy Access Problem Starts with a Phone Call
Finding a therapist in America is a Kafkaesque process. First, you search a directory for therapists who accept your insurance. Then you call each one — only to discover that 60% are not actually accepting new patients, 20% do not actually accept your specific plan, and the remaining 20% have a 6-week waitlist.
The phone call itself is a barrier for many people seeking therapy. If you are dealing with anxiety, depression, or social phobia — which are among the most common reasons people seek therapy — making repeated phone calls to strangers is exactly the behavior that feels impossible.
Studies show that the average person seeking therapy contacts 5 to 7 providers before finding one who is available, in-network, and a good fit. Each contact attempt takes 10 to 15 minutes. Many people give up after the second or third rejection, leaving their mental health needs unaddressed.
How KallyAI Finds and Books Therapists
Describe What You Are Looking For
Tell KallyAI your preferences: therapy type (CBT, psychodynamic, etc.), insurance, location, scheduling needs, and any specific concerns you want the therapist to specialize in.
Provide Therapists to Contact
Give KallyAI a list of therapists from your insurance directory or a search. KallyAI will call each one to check availability and insurance acceptance.
KallyAI Calls Each Practice
KallyAI asks if they are accepting new patients, verify insurance, check availability, and inquire about specialties and session format (in-person or telehealth).
Presents Your Options
You receive a summary of which therapists are available, their earliest openings, session costs, and specialties — so you can choose without making a single call.
Real Example: Finding an In-Network Therapist
"Call these 5 therapists from my Anthem Blue Cross directory and ask if they are accepting new patients, accept Anthem PPO, offer evening or weekend sessions, and have experience with anxiety and work stress."
- Call each of the 5 therapists
- Ask if accepting new patients
- Verify Anthem Blue Cross PPO acceptance
- Ask about evening and weekend availability
- Inquire about anxiety and work stress specialization
2 of 5 are accepting new patients with Anthem PPO. Dr. Sarah Kim has Thursday evenings open, specializes in anxiety and CBT, $25 copay. Dr. James Park has Saturday mornings, focuses on work-life stress, $30 copay. 3 others: 1 not accepting patients, 1 does not take Anthem, 1 no evening/weekend slots.
Finding a Therapist: Manual vs. KallyAI
- Search insurance directory for therapists
- Call each one (expect voicemail most of the time)
- Leave messages and wait for callbacks
- Play phone tag for days
- Ask about insurance, availability, and specialty
- Repeat until you find a match
- Finally book the appointment
- Most calls go to voicemail
- Therapists who never call back
- Directory information that is outdated
- The emotional toll of repeated rejection
- Provide your list of therapists to contact
- Include insurance and preferences
- KallyAI calls all of them
- Review the options and book your choice
- No phone anxiety barrier to getting help
- Multiple therapists contacted simultaneously
- Clear comparison of availability and costs
- Takes the most stressful step off your plate
Frequently Asked Questions
Can KallyAI book a therapy session or just gather information?
KallyAI can schedule a first session if the practice allows phone booking. Many therapists want a brief phone screening with the patient first — KallyAI will report this and you can decide how to proceed.
Is my therapy search kept private?
Absolutely. KallyAI does not store or share the reason for your calls. Your therapy search is treated with the same confidentiality as any other task.
Can KallyAI help find a psychiatrist too?
Yes. The process of finding a psychiatrist is similar — checking insurance, availability, and specialization. KallyAI can call psychiatry practices the same way it calls therapists.
What if all therapists on my list are unavailable?
KallyAI will report the results and you can provide a second list. If a therapist offers a waitlist, KallyAI can add you to it and ask about the estimated wait.