SAN DIEGO, Nov. 11, 2015 As consumers begin exploring health plan options for themselves as well as their partners and dependents during the November 1, 2015 – January 31, 2016 open enrollment period, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) urges Californians to fully investigate the type and extent of the mental health coverage offered by their preferred plan before making their decision. Under California law, psychotherapy may be much more affordable than most people think. Both the Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act require insurers to provide behavioral health coverage for treatment of mental health disorders or substance abuse that is comparable to coverage for treatment of physical health with no annual limits, higher co-pays, or deductibles. This means any potential coverage for the treatment of issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or any other mental health diagnosis cannot be more expensive than the coverage for your sprained ankle. Despite the existence of robust access to affordable mental health care, many policy holders are not utilizing it to their full benefit. Often, the obstacle is a lack of information about the available options. Many with access to covered mental health services may not know what they are entitled to. Recognizing the existence of affordable mental health care options when shopping for insurance is paramount in selecting a plan that can meet those needs. "This is really about being an advocate for your own health care and your own mental health needs," said CAMFT President-Elect Patricia Ravitz, licensed marriage and family therapist. "We want to empower people who need mental health services with the information they need to make the right decision and choose the appropriate health plan that benefits them the most. For those confused about how to make this choice, information can be found on CounselingCalifornia.com." Marriage and family therapists are trained to diagnose and treat a wide variety of mental health conditions. The website CounselingCalifornia.com is a valuable tool to search for local therapists who accept clients with managed care plans. About California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) CAMFT is an independent professional organization of 31,000 members representing the interests of marriage and family therapists. It is dedicated to advancing the profession, maintaining high standards of professional ethics, upholding the qualifications for the profession and expanding awareness of the profession. Media Contact: Eileen Schuster eschuster@camft.org SOURCE California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Related Links http://counselingcalifornia.com