[hamster-bamster]

I have been denied therapy by an intern-staffed sliding scale counseling clinic. "We were unable to find you a match". The clinic is within a 10 minute walk from my apartment and they were going to charge me $25 per visit. Realistically, the proximity and the price cut would make it the only available option for me. Now they are referring me to a place that is too far (I do not have a car).

During the intake, no one told me that there is a possibility that they would "not find a match", the talk was only about the wait list.

I dutifully told my whole history and recited each dx from my neuropsychological evaluation. Now I feel that I am paying for my honesty. I should have just said "bipolar dealing with life stressors" and that is it.

But even with all the comorbid conditions I still do not understand what is so difficult about me! Damn it!

[bluemountains]

I have not heard of a program like this, Hamster. Since there is a waiting list, it sounds like they only want to deal with simple counseling issues. You are not difficult, Hamster. You are unique!

[Victoria'smom]

Can you ask them for a closer reference? Can you wait and re-do the intake?

[manic most days]

Why are some places like this?!?! I am on this forum due to being asked by a MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL in the same exact office as my med Dr and my counselour are if I had been using illegal drugs!!! I don't know if I should file a greivance and risk any and all treatment from that clinic because of one very retarded idiot or just simply go back and speak with my counselour and med dr and advise them of what he had said???
That simple little question to him had me driving arouns manic for 4 hours (I;ve been manic for almost 2 weeks as it is....) Today, been asleep most of the day

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Can you ask them for a closer reference? Can you wait and re-do the intake?

I will write to them explaining that I do not have a car.

[Eliza Jane]

I'm so sorry that you are in this situation. I am glad that you were upfront with them about your issues though. Bad therapy is worse than no therapy at all. Insufficiently skilled therapists have the potential to harm you.

Sending good thoughts that something else cane work out for you.

Best,
EJ

[faerie_moon_x]

Hamster, there is nothing wrong with you! It's the business that has an issue. "We could not find a match" is the worst example of patient care... It leaves a patient feeling exactly the way you do right now. The reality is they do not have someone in their employment who has enough training. And having a therapist without the proper training is probably just as bad as having none. So, it's not you, it's them. You are allowed to say 'these are my issues I need help with.' You deserve the proper care.

A better thing for them to say is, "your case is beyond our scope and we want to find you the best possible care." And then, other than just a random referral they should discuss this with you by phone so that you can tell them you don't have a car and need something close to home! For example, the dietitians where I work are not equiped to care for patients with Anorexia Nervosa, of course we want to help them, but we would not be giving them the best possible care they deserve, and so we refer them out.

[BlueInanna]

Hamster these things do get complicated i've had a very hard time finding therapists and doctors before, spent many tears.

It's like DarkHeart says, it's not that you are difficult, they just only have interns there. Perhaps not qualified, perhaps they asked the interns if they were comfortable or perhaps management decided.

If you could go back and ask them again to consider you, tell them you are very med compliant, that you have a large support group (us), you're quite stable at the time with a full time job. You could tell them that if it got to a point where if the intern felt "your case" (i hate to say it like that, but think about how many people they see, it's a lot of people) was unmanageable by the intern alone, you would agree to move on to another more experienced therapist. But that you'd really like to give it a try. (?)

Some people have told me that interns are quite good because they are fresh out of schooling with the most current education. Many have spent time interning in facilities so they have fresh real life experience. But I haven't worked with any.

Hang in there, you will find a good therapist.

[faerie_moon_x]

Blue! That is a great idea! You should at least try, Hamster. The worst they could say is no. And at least you know you tried!

I agree with everything said.

And Hamster nothing is so difficult about you! You are unique, and you are great! I think so. Out of their scope...maybe. But I'd give it another shot.

Darkheart is right, I received help from the dietician at the diabetes centre in our hospital, I was out of their scope. Actually it made my restriction worse, and it was a lot of pressure to eat. The dietician kept giving me protien bars when I was in here office, and wanted me to eat them there, so I wouldn't pass out on my way home was her reason. I wasnt passing out tho. And I know she was concerned and trying to help, but it had a negative impact on me. At the time, it's weird that it actually was good afterwards. But I knew when to not keep coming too.

But Blue has a very good idea! I would go talk to them again, they have been trained for this, and its worth a shot. As long as you know that if it's not helping when to cut the cord. Even if they still can't help you they can work with you to find a refferal that meets your needs. You need this, so don't settle for less than what you need.

Hang in there, and keep on them to help you find this help.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Eliza Jane

I'm so sorry that you are in this situation. I am glad that you were upfront with them about your issues though. Bad therapy is worse than no therapy at all. Insufficiently skilled therapists have the potential to harm you.

Sending good thoughts that something else cane work out for you.

Best,
EJ

That's actually a very good point. I have been harmed before by insufficiently skilled therapists, even those with 35 years of experience and a really big ego. So I do not need more harm, that is for sure.

But I will try going back using the advice from here.

[hamster-bamster]

This is what I feel like sending to them but of course would not send as it would be counterproductive. I need help drafting something polite instead.

Amanda,

I have received your message and am really disappointed that your agency has declined to serve me. I feel that an agency of your standing, reputation, and tenure in the community should have enough resources to find me a match. It does not have to be a perfect match - a quest for perfection has never led to anything good anyway. Surely your interns must be equipped with the tools necessary to help me! If they are not, why should the State of California license them in the near future? On what grounds?

I should also inform you that the referrals you have provided do not work for me. I do not have a car. I live within a walking distance from your agency, and the referrals are not reachable by public transit. It behooves you to include, as part of the intake procedure, a question as to how the prospective client gets around: not everyone can afford a car.

Ideally, I would like you to reconsider your decision and find available internal resources. If that is impossible, please explain why and provide referrals that are within my reach (my address is on file).

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

[Victoria'smom]

I really think you can and should write a letter. At the very least to find resources in your area.