2:50 AM
Maggie said…
I’m sorry Austin. It would have been best had you not told her you were going to meet another therapist just to get a feel for things. I can understand her not wanting you to see her and another therapist simultaneously, but it’s perfectly acceptable for you to do a little foot work and looking around. Sometimes clients forget that therapists work for them, and they either get paid by the client, government, or other source for their services. Like any other service, you have the right to choose the professional you feel is best for the job. There is nothing wrong with that. The first three meetings with any therapist are usually just for assesment and getting to know each other purposes, so I don’t understand why you should be forced to make a decision so soon. Interesting. If it’s any consolation, most people go through a handful of therapists before finding a fit, so don’t feel bad if it takes some time. Maggie
1:00 PM
Austin of Sundrip Journals said…
Well, she says it’s about ethics. I told her I understood ethics but that this was just unreasonable. My purpose for finding another therapist isn’t solely based on this experience with her. The clinic I go to changes students twice a year. In less than 2 years I’ve seen 3 social workers. This one will be gone in May i think. I’ve got abandonment issues out the wazzoo. I need someone a little more permanent. That is the major reason for looking for a new provider. I asked the 2 before her to help me find a long term provider and it just never got done. so i started doing it on my own. In addition to the 2 social workers leaving I’ve had 2 other pdocs. That’s a frikin psycho revolving door. So heck yeah, I gots ta go!
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You have to take care of you, do what you have to do Austin. That is entirely too much inconsistency for someone dealing with very traumatic issues. I’m sure they know that.
The revolving door may benefit the students, because they get the hours and experience “they” need, but what about you?? There IS someone out there who accepts medicaid/medicare or offers a sliding fee scale, and is a regular and/or long term employee of a mental health center.
Google, call, ask, research, and you WILL find someone more appropriate. I know too many other people who have. If you need help looking, let me know your state, city or exact location is not important if you’re concerned with privacy, and I’ll put in time to help, the same way I’ve helped myself and others.
Also, try christian counselors, womens centers, catholic charities, the salvation army, and other social programs. Christian counselors and psychologists are “sometimes” more negotiable and reasonable concerning fees.
The government will not pay for psychologists or licensed professionals, just students, social workers, psychiatrists who will numb you to death with meds, ect. When you find someone, and you will, if at all possible, I would not even mention the center you’re transferring from initially.
Also, give it a month or so of getting to know the new therapist, so that she can form her own opinion of you, rather than being influenced by the perceptions of other therapists. Trust me, therapists are human, and you may receive one diagnosis and opinion by one, and tons of others by another.
Working at a center with such a high turn over rate, I’m sure the majority of them read the “previous” notes in your file, and being students, rather than take them with a grain of salt, most probably embrace those “perceptions” without question and proceed accordingly.
My friend was misdiagnosed at a mental health center that used students as being bipolar with bpd and placed on the wrong meds for almost four years. She even got worse during this time. After she found the new counselor who worked with her limited income, it turned out she had panic disorder with dysthmia and agoraphobia. After 9 months with this new therapist, she is improving and even planning to return to work part time.
It’s not as if you’ve came to the decision to move on at the spur of the moment. You’ve been patient, and have seen three or more doctors at that center. You have to look out for you Austin. If nothing else, the revolving door has made you stronger and more able to make change. Having the courage to move on from a situation like this, is not easy when you’re a client dealing with traumatic issues. The last student my friend saw at the mental health center told her she was “avoiding” when she began her search for a new therapist. Girl, her improvement speaks for itself. Ok, I’m off to read other journals this morning. I don’t know if you’re christian, but remember the bible says that you can be “healed” and renewed from the inside out. With the strength of God, and the will to reclaim your life, you can accomlish more than any man or woman with or without degrees may feel is possible *hugs* Maggie
Oh I forgot to add, don’t get me wrong, there are some very good social workers who work at mental health centers for the low income. You will just have to do more searching before finding the right one for “you”.
There are many psychologists who should have never made it out of school, and many social workers or counselors exceed them in natural counseling ability and experience.
The piece of paper and higher degree is not as important as the counselors “natural” ability, interest in the client, and the sense of trust they are able to form with you.
Austin the website bellow may be helpful so that you know how to go about things:
APA Ethical Principles
http://www.apa.org/ethics/code1992.html