How to find a therapist? Im getting worse.

[cheymcg]

I really need some kind of help for this fear. Its getting worse. Its worse now than it has been in 3 years. Everyday seems like a struggle to me, and I always am worrying. Im miserable. Im driving my boyfriend and my son nuts. Its probably just this time of year and the fact that my son is in preschool that it is so bad, but my son has years of school left. I cant be like this forever. Ive been depressed lately, not because of my emet but just for other reason and I know that its making my emet worse. I dont work and I dont have health insurance. I dont know how to go about getting a therapist, or If i even can since I have no insurance. Any ideas?

[cheymcg]

Okay. Thanks =)

[ruhligv]

Be VERY selective about who you choose when calling around for therapists. I was amazed at how many didnt practice cognitive behavioral therapy which is a basic standard therapy dealing with changing the way you think and respond to different stimulus that could be anxiety provoking. It's okay to ask them what type of therapies they offer and what kind of experience they have with phobias, and what they would do in your particular case. Do a mini interview on the phone! if you are going to invest your time and money into these people, make sure they can help you! Many therapists will prorate your sessions based on your income so ask about that as well. Call every facility in the area, do your research! Ask to speak with the psychologist you would be working with if its a bigger facility like CMH. Even if your insurance is paying for your treatment, you have the right to a qualified and caring therapist. I've been to several flops!




The one that I went to that was actually worth my time and money was an hour and a half away and didn't accept insurance, but she prorated my payment based on my income. She was awesome, she looked at me as a whole person and recommended exercise, vitamins, sunlight therapy, she really knew her medications and what would help me and have me assignments and books to read between visits. I eventually couldn't afford to go anymore but the 6 months that I saw her were totally worth it, I got on the right medications (turns out the welbutrin i was on did nothing for my anxiety, its only for depression) and i learned a lot. Therapy can be a great tool to learn about your thought processes and how you can change the way you think and act towards situations, as well as how to identify anxiety creeping up and how to calm down from it. It's also good to have someone to be accountable to in terms of whether or not there is progress and what works and what doesn't.