Hi there!
Firstly, I just wanted to say that I'm an international student and an incoming 2030 Princeton student, so I don't have much knowledge about either American universities or the American mental health/ insurance system.
I am diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and an ED, and I already know I will need to find a therapist at Princeton to work with regularly. How does the process of getting the first appointment look? From what I understand from the Health Services website, mental health services/ therapy/ counseling are covered by the student health insurance as long as the therapist is in the network?? I would really need to start looking for the right person already because transitioning between specialists would probably take quite some time. Do I ask the therapist who is declared to be in the network to maybe have a few online sessions (paid out of pocket) and then, after arriving at Princeton, request insurance-covered sessions? Can I ask for a specific person? I have no clue how to approach this, and am getting very anxious not really knowing how this works.
Another question- does anyone know a really god autism-specialised therapist that is in the insurance network?
And finally, are there any student-led organisations that I could ask for support in the process of transitioning to college as a disabled/ neurodiverse student? I'm emailing back and forth with the disability services office, but, from what I grasped, they only help in getting formal accommodation (housing etc.) and not the actual treatment/ health support.
Thank you so much in advance for any help!!!