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Extreme difficulty finding a good therapist.

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Posted 10/3/2008 4:04 PM (GMT -6)
Hi I normally post on the fibro forum, but I've suffered from depression for most of my life and have been going through a rough time lately. I started therapy when I was 10 years old and I'm 24 now. In this time I have probably had a few dozen different therapists. I just can't seem to hold onto a therapist for very long, I always end up having to find someone new for various reasons. Sometimes it's a schedule conflict. Sometimes the therapist moves, leaves the practice, or retires. Other times there's a problem with my health insurance. And other times I just plain don't get along with the therapist. Needless to say this has caused real problems with me making any kind of progress.

The last therapist I was seeing just didn't have room for me in her schedule anymore. I guess it was all for the best because I really didn't like her anyway. I sought out a new therapist and went in for an intake session. Now as I said, I've seen a lot of therapists in my life, but I've never gotten as good a first impression from any of them as I did with this latest therapist and I was really excited to start working with her. Then the next week I get a call from her and it turns out that my medical assistance won't cover her, for some reason they only cover one person in her practice and it's not her. With just my health insurance, I'd have to pay $40 a session and I simply can't afford that since I'm disabled and not currently working. She did say she would try to contact my medical assistance to see what she had to do to get them to cover her. I'm extremely grateful for that, no one else would have done that for me and it seems like my first impression of her was correct. She has no idea how long this is going to take or if she can even get them to cover her at all, but I'm just glad she's trying.

A part of me knows that I should try to find someone else if this doesn't work out, but after meeting with this latest therapist, I just don't want to see anyone else. My gut is telling me that if anyone can help me at all, then it's her, and I shouldn't waste my time with anyone else. I've certainly noticed my mood declining since this all happened and some of the few things that used to give me pleasure I haven't been in the mood to do anymore.

Has anyone else had this much difficulty with finding a good therapist, or is there just something about me that drives them all away?
Posted 10/3/2008 5:05 PM (GMT -6)

Hello,

I have liked all three of the therapists that I have been to over 24 years.  I do remember when my first therapist left the clinic I felt sad and worried as to what I would do if I needed therapy again. I have learned to understand that change is hard but sometimes there is nothing you can do about it other then to get past it.

Have you ever tried group therapy?  That might be something to consider.

I hope that this new therapist can get approval to see you.  Take care and stick with us as we do care.

Kitt

Posted 10/3/2008 6:52 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Kythe,

Welcome to the depression forum. I am glad that you wandered over here. I have had many different therapists. Some good, well most of them were good, but I had a couple that I didn't hit it off with. I have a feeling when she talks to your insurance she will find a way for them to cover. Sometimes all it takes is a priorauthorization. I hope that it works out for you. I think you need to see this person, since you seem to really feel comfortable with her. I had a similar situation and the insurance company covered the person that I wanted to see. And I saw her for a very long time.

Don't think that you are driving them all away, because you are not. You have just come to an obstacle in life that you need to pass through. And I think that you will.

Keep posting,
Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/3/2008 9:56 PM (GMT -6)
Kitt I have tried group therapy before at different periods in my life. It's never been helpful and many times it just made things worse. I tried it as recently as this past July and all it did was make me regress into problems that I had previously gotten over for the most part. I was so much more depressed when I was attending that group and at one point I was actually feeling suicidal(no actual plans, but just passive wishes for death). I know that groups are supposed to make you feel less isolated because you can talk to people who know what you are going through, but the groups make me feel even more isolated because all I get is confirmation that no one understands me. I started feeling a lot better after I left that group.
I highly doubt I'll be trying group therapy ever again in the future.



Thanks for the reassurances Karen, I do hope that things can get sorted out with the insurance.
Posted 10/4/2008 3:30 AM (GMT -6)
I really have faith Kythe that everything is going to work out for you. If you can't get the counselor that you want, maybe she knows somebody else good that your insurance will cover. But I have a feeling, that she will be covered after she talks to them.

Best wishes, keep posting.

Hugs, Karen
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