How do you find a good psychiatrist?

You might ask your primary physician for a referral. Then there's a word-of-mouth referral from a friend or relative. The local medical society or psychiatric society (a local branch of the American Psychiatric Association, for example) can help. If there's a medical school or big hospital in town, a call to the director of the department of psychiatry is a good bet. Some facilities have special clinics for depression or affective disorders.

There are also national organizations with local branches that provide information and referral information. These include The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), The National Mental Health Association (NMHA), and The National Foundation for Depressive Illness.