Hi there and welcome!

You ask some very good questions. I guess you might contact the VA about getting a referral to a psychiatrist? That might be a place to start there.

HOWEVER, if you don't want to go the VA route (which I don't know that I would), you can contact your local human services department in your county/state and ask for the number to the community mental health services. Most counties in the US offer community mental health centers where services are offered people according to income (if no/little income, no charge). You can get an appt. there with a counselor who can make the recommendation for their psychiatrist.

I wish you more than well. You're not alone.

Again, welcome.

KD