I've posted in another section about having 2 years of blah, to put it simply (dysthymia, moderate depression??). If I go to a therapist with the idea that something is wrong, but I don't know what it is, do they 'make up' a diagnosis for the insurance companies? Do I need to see a therapist for a while first, pay out of pocket, then, if he/she thinks there is something wrong, I get a diagnosis for insurance purposes?

How do I call insurance companies and ask for a list of therapists in the network if I don't really know what's wrong with me?

I could pay out of pocket for a while. Is that the better way to go?