Without sounding too whiny, I’m finding myself having more difficulty holding things together and think it’s time to take the plunge and get some help.
I don’t have insurance, so this would be all self-pay; and I don’t have a PCP, so I can’t really get any recommendations. I can do a google search, but all that gives me is names and locations.
I’m attending Arizona State University, but am leery of going to Student Health since I’m not in the common college demographic.
I’m really at the end of my rope here, so any and all help would be so very appreciated.
Student health services can be good, that is where I found a great counselor. Plus if you are a student the fees should be low. I think I paid $15 for an hour session, plus I got group therapy sessions for $10 since they were through the school.
The problem is many do not have good chemistry and you may have to check several before you find one that can offer you the safety, understanding and advice you need to work on your problems. I really don’t know how to deal with that. In my life I think I have seen maybe 5 separate counselors or psychologists at various points in my life, but only 1 was great and I made great progress with her in a short period of time. The other 4 were mediocre.
I really don’t know how you find a good one though other than trial and error. Besides, a counselor that other people find is good you might not like, and vica versa.
Good question, and one I am exploring also. I asked my physician for a reference, and got referred to a group calling themselves “Christian Counsellors” - not a good match for this lesbian atheist.
I’ve had bad luck with two referrals from EAP’s (Employee Assistance Programs) so far - and I’m really not sure how to go about searching outside of an insurance network. I know back a while ago, you could look in the phone book for community mental health clinics - maybe your college health center could help direct you to one of them?
In my experience, Student Health may be valuable not necessarily because the counselors there are the best therapists, but because they’re usually connected to many therapists in the community who specialize in different things and can recommend you one based on what you’re going through.
After you get a list of names, you can look the individuals up at a site like ratemds.com or even a simple Google search.
The problem with therapist is you can’t go by credentials. You have to have a good “feeling” about your counselor. In other words you have to get along and often that has nothing to do with the therapist. There needs to be, for lack of a better word, chemistry.
I found the best therapists, I have dealt with are those straight out of college. You can find them at county health agencies. Usually it’s their first “real” job so they are determained to change the world and they really put out an effort to help you.
So never think county health clinics are bad. I found them better. I found a lot of the established therapists with sliding fees scales, tend to be very condescending, like it’s some huge favour they are not charing me their entire fee. Now obviously that is my point of view and I could be wrong, but that is how I felt, and if you feel that way, you’re not going to have much of a relationship with the therapist.
I would go to your county and they are certain to have a “sliding fee” scale. You go in and they make you take a written test. Then you’re assessed. You will almost certainly NOT see a psychiatrist, 'cause they are an MD (or DO) and unless you need meds, you’re not in need of that level of doctor.
Then you’ll be assigned a therapist that could have an advanced degree in pyschology, or social work or something. You probably won’t see a pyschologist either (which is a doctorate level) but you might eventually be kicked up to one if needed. But the pyschologists and psychiatrists are usually reseved for the most sever forms of mental illness like bi-polars etc
After you’re assigned you’ll have one or two initals sessions and then if you get on with your therapist, you’ll get a plan, that outlines the way the therapy will go and you take it from there.
Also don’t be afraid to ask for special needs. Some people do better with a man therapist others do better with a woman, some don’t care. And if you don’t feel comfortable ask a change of therapist. They don’t take it personally.