Trouble finding *good* professional help

In My Humble Opinion
1

Anyone else having trouble finding good professional help these days?

I’ve seen three different shrinks on three different occasions and they all disappointed me…

  1. I was 12 and cried the whole time, after which the shrink told my mother to punish me for not behaving

  2. I was 16 and got put on some generic antidepressant halfway through the first hour

  3. I was 19 and again I was prescribed some generic drug before I even introduced myself

So what’s the deal here? Are psychologists on crack?

2

<<So what’s the deal here? Are psychologists on crack?>>

Some of 'em are pretty dense and occasionally overwhelmed, I think.

I had one tell me that there was nothing really wrong with me, that it was normal to have feelings of intense despair and consider suicide as something to cheer oneself up with.

Then, of course, I talked to my gynecologist and found out it was an interaction between two medications I was taking (which did not even come up at the visit with the shrink). Dropped one of the two, and within a week was feeling better.

I know this probably sounds way counterproductive, but do you have a decent physician who knows you pretty well, or has seen you a lot? Would you consider asking them to evaluate you for medical/physical causes of any problems, and then referring you to a competent shrink if it’s something they can’t diagnose? Having your doctors work together is sooooo essential.

Good luck. I’m still looking for a decent physician.

Corr

3

Are you seeing psychologists or psychiatrists? Community mental health or private practice? What education level/background are you looking at?

Here are a few tips to finding a good shrink (check out the profile if you want to know why I know so much):

  1. Never go to see a psychiatrist for ‘everyday’ mental health problems (I’m talking the non-psychotic type). You want a psychologist… they can’t prescribe meds and are, as a result, less likely to push meds on you.

  2. Community mental health people are more likely to push meds, simply 'cause they’re so darn busy. Also, with their case load you’d be lucky to see someone more than once or twice a month, and when you do need meds it’s nearly impossible to see the doctor (I went in to my local CMHC on an emergency visit, desperately needing meds, and it took over two months before I got them 'cause the doc was so booked up). I like the CMHC people, but they’re really overworked. Your best bet is to find a good private practitioner, and if/when you need meds, have the shrink recommend them and get the script from your GP.

  3. If at all possible, look for ALL the following initials after the person’s name: MEd, EdS, LPC. Accept nothing less than a MEd and LPC, or a MA and LPC. And find out what the degree is in. Remember Dr. Laura.

  4. Find someone with a therapeutic orientation that works for YOU. I personally hate fluffy bunny types (aka Rogerians). I swear I could take a parrot, teach it to say ‘So what you’re saying is…’ and double my case load. I work much better with a solution-focused therapist, a cognitive behaviorist, or a rational emotive behavior therapist. Much more bang for your buck… they’re interested in getting you in, fixed up, and back out in the real world.

  5. Interview them over the phone before you even make an appointment. I refuse to see anyone who won’t take time out to answer a few questions about their credentials. That way you can weed out people who won’t work for you.

  6. I mean this in the nicest possible way… STAY AWAY FROM RELIGIOUS COUNSELORS. They’re good for spiritual crises, but damn they mess up just about everything else. They’re on the other end of the med freaks… one wants to drug you into oblivion, the other one’s convinced that prayer is the answer to everything. Uh-huh.

Hope this helps. If you need anything else, email me. I can probably help you find someone in your area.

-BK

4

Psychologists do “talk therapy”, Psychiatrists are the ones who prescribe meds. You also might want to look into a Social Worker who has a private practice. I REALLY dislike the shrinks (usually psychiatrists) who never answer you questions, or answer your question with a question. “And why do you feel that way?” Grrrr…
If you go to http://www.Sidran.org, they have a list of questions that you can ask your prospective therapist. I believe it’s in the section for survivors. Sidran is a nice website, but it’s geared towards trauma/abuse survivors, so that might not be your cup of tea. But the list of questions to ask is a good one. Good Luck!