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Finding a therapist
bigpanda
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Ok, so this isn't related to the hair thread that I just posted. Ok, well, not directly anyhow.
So I've come to the conclusion that I have issues. I'd rather not have these issues. I have an idea of what these issues are, but not how to deal with them, overcome them, or make them go away. My thought is a therapist could help me with this only I've never looked for one so don't know where to start or what to look for as far as credentials go.
What kind of training/studies should a qualified reputable therapist or psychologist have? My sociology professor once told me that there were psychologists, therapists, and psychotherapists and each one had to have a certain level of degree or studies. I can't remember which one, but I think he said one of them didn't have to have anything.
What kinds of questions should I ask them so that I know they're not going to screw me up any more than what I think I already am.
So I've come to the conclusion that I have issues. I'd rather not have these issues. I have an idea of what these issues are, but not how to deal with them, overcome them, or make them go away. My thought is a therapist could help me with this only I've never looked for one so don't know where to start or what to look for as far as credentials go.
What kind of training/studies should a qualified reputable therapist or psychologist have? My sociology professor once told me that there were psychologists, therapists, and psychotherapists and each one had to have a certain level of degree or studies. I can't remember which one, but I think he said one of them didn't have to have anything.
What kinds of questions should I ask them so that I know they're not going to screw me up any more than what I think I already am.
bigpanda on
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I would ask your doctor for a referral to a therapist. Also, if you've got a local university, you can always contact the Psychology department and ask them for a list of psychologists with a clinical practice.
During a session, listen to the therapist, answer their questions, be open-minded, and tell the truth. If you don't like your therapist, feel free to get another one. It's important to find someone who you feel a connection to.
The therapist's level of education has not been shown to have any effect on therapy outcomes in studies. Therapists (master's degree), psychologists (doctorate), and psychiatrists (medical doctors) are all equally capable of providing therapy. Psychiatrists can also prescribe drugs where the others, in general, cannot.
You'll want to find somebody who uses cognitive-behavioral techniques in their therapy (which the vast majority do) and preferably somebody with experience with your particular issues.
If you have insurance, call your insurance company and get a list of therapists in your area on your insurance plan.
If you are uninsured and money is an issue, call your county's health department and ask for referrals to free and low-cost therapy. You may end up getting therapy from an intern, but getting therapy is like going to the gym - it's more important that you go than where you go.
Another option for finding a therapist is to go the website of your state chapter of the American Psychological Association. Your location says Seattle, so if that is correct, your state's APA chapter's website is: http://www.wapsych.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=125
That link above will take you to a therapist locator, where you can search by sex, ethnicity, specific techniques used, areas of specialty, etc.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
If you are in college, it probably has a counseling center. Go talk to them, and they should be able to get you a referral.
If you are full time employed check to see. Lots of companies have some sort of mental health related service (like thru Magellean health services or something http://www.magellanhealth.com/) These are services your company pays for that will help find you therapists and whatnot. And many times will get you something like 8 free sessions. Find out if your company has it, and call them up. They'll find you a therapist who looks good... schedule an appointment and go. If they cant help you, ask for a referral to someone who can.
Thats another good point: You have to be comfortable with this person. They may look great on paper.. but if you get a bad vibe.. or cant open up to them, dont be afraid to go somewhere else. Remember you are hiring this person to provide you with a service. You are not obligated to them in any way. Sometimes it takes two or three tries to get someone you can work with. Lord knows Ive called and talked to.. um.. 5-6 different ones (in a 3 month period or so) tho I need a bit more of a specialist than most. Dont be afraid to ask them questions. Make them work with your insurance if you have it. If you dont have insurance, many work on a sliding scale.
The big difference is: psychiatrists can prescribe drugs, the rest cant (but can refer you to a doctor who can). You'll see things like LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) or psychologist, psychotherapist etc. I have heard some bad things about going to a phychiatrist in that many just try and drug you up as a first resort. Its annacdotal for sure, but it serves as a warning that, you can get some bad shrinks in any of the categories. So just because someone is a LCSW doesnt mean they are inferior to someone else. It really is about who YOU can work with.
Good luck, be open and honest, and i wish you the best
edit: cause i screwed them up and didnt proofread
Not in Washington they can't. You're either thinking of psychiatrists, or a different state or country.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
ARG i knew i would type the wrong thing in there... I thought i was being careful... i'll edit my post.
One last question. Part of me is considering seeing two therapists, one for dealing with self esteem and food issues and the other for some other personal issues. I'm a little hesitant to say I'd have a food addiction since it's something that you need to survive, but also know that you can't see the forest from the trees most times.
Would there be a good reason to see two different ones or should I just find one that can handle both, or go to one for one thing and once I've overcome or dealt with those issue move onto the other? Seeing two at once would concern me that I might get conflicting viewpoints or screw myself up in some way.
Without insurance: $75-150
After insurance: $0-30, depending on your plan - and usually only for the first six months.
However, as I've said before, a lot of therapists will work on a sliding scale for people who can't afford their usual rate.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
most insurance you either have a co-pay of some flat rate, or they pay a percentage so feral's estimates look pretty spot on.
also feral: thats interesting about being usually for just the first six months. This is something i must research.
Weekly.
Usually they put a cap on the number of visits they'll cover, like 30.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.