[medicalfox]

Something is wrong and I have no idea what it is. Everything is failing apart and I feel so fragile. I recently came out of the hospital after a suicide attempt and I don't feel much of a change. Homework is easy, work is easy, but something inside is clouding my judgement in believing it's impossible which is causing me unrealistic stress and I have no idea what to do about it. I've been trying to be mindful, but the stress is so great that I stopped eating.

Can I see a second therapist for a brief amount of time to get my life together? My current therapist does nothing for me and all she does is chit chat with me. I'm afraid of changing though since I don't think there are any other available therapist in the facility and I have been with this one for so long. I need something dramatic to help me and to bring me out of my despair. My new home is wonderful, but I'm not in the right mind set to be living in it right now. Any advice would be helpful and I can not go to a different hospital for help since I already have taken a week off work.

[nbritton]

Originally Posted by medicalfox

Something is wrong and I have no idea what it is. Everything is failing apart and I feel so fragile. I recently came out of the hospital after a suicide attempt and I don't feel much of a change. Homework is easy, work is easy, but something inside is clouding my judgement in believing it's impossible which is causing me unrealistic stress and I have no idea what to do about it. I've been trying to be mindful, but the stress is so great that I stopped eating.

Can I see a second therapist for a brief amount of time to get my life together? My current therapist does nothing for me and all she does is chit chat with me. I'm afraid of changing though since I don't think there are any other available therapist in the facility and I have been with this one for so long. I need something dramatic to help me and to bring me out of my despair. My new home is wonderful, but I'm not in the right mind set to be living in it right now. Any advice would be helpful and I can not go to a different hospital for help since I already have taken a week off work.

No law says you can't, insurance may have a fit. Go see a psychologist for therapy, and use the other one for day to day case management. Just a suggestion.

[BlueInanna]

Really a law about it? Most dont even take insurance.
I'd make appointments with others and have the sessions as interviews, find one that clicks. I've felt that way before with most therapists, like let's cut the chit chat and help me learn tools. Wouldn't prolong the relationship if its not the right fit.

[Resident Bipolar]

If you have the means to get a second therapist, I definitely advise doing so. When you do, explain the situation in regards to your other therapist as your new one may be able to adapt his/her sessions for you to be more effective.

Then, who knows? You might find that the second therapist is better and decide that you can have him/her as your only therapist and ditch the other one. It is a difficult thing to do but if you're not getting the therapy you want and need, you need to try hard to find it in you to make a switch.

Failing that, could you discuss the issue with your current therapist? Maybe if current T was fully aware of the fact that chit chat isn't being helpful, a different approach may be practiced.

Be strong!

My insurance allows me to see my T twice a week and pdoc once a week but will not allow 2 Ts. It may be time to find a new T if this one just isnt feeling right. Trust your gut. I saw 2 others before settling down with my current one.

[nbritton]

Originally Posted by BlueInanna

Really a law about it? Most dont even take insurance.
I'd make appointments with others and have the sessions as interviews, find one that clicks. I've felt that way before with most therapists, like let's cut the chit chat and help me learn tools. Wouldn't prolong the relationship if its not the right fit.

I know of no laws prohibiting someone from seeing as many medical providers as they would like. However, insurance may have a fit if you ask them to pay, and may refuse to pay for a second therapist. However, I think they would pay for a therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist.

[BlueInanna]

Originally Posted by nbritton

No law says you can't, insurance may have a fit. Go see a psychologist for therapy, and use the other one for day to day case management. Just a suggestion.

Sorry - I read it as "No, Law says you can't". Lost in Internet translation. I see what you're saying now, sorries.
Insurance does look at it as # of sessions. Mine initially allows for only 12 a year. But blue cross customer service told me its really easy to get more covered - just have T contact them saying more sessions are needed & no problemo. But you know how insurance companies are they pretty much do whatever they want.
MedFox- let us know how it goes.

[monochromatic]

Have you told your current tdoc that what you're doing there isn't working?

I've told my t a few times that I didn't get anything out of a particular session or method. It's difficult to say, because I don't want to make her feel bad or damage our relaitonship, but remember it is your tdoc's JOB to help you cope. If you're not coping, she/he isn't doing his/her job. It'd be like a general doctor not setting a broken arm correctly --- what's the point?

I vote:
Tell your tdoc how you're feeling. If she/he responds well, work with him/her to try something new. If there is any resistance, then shop around for a new doctor. As soon as you can get an appointment with someone else, stop making appointments with your current doctor. Find something that works, don't just pay someone to chit chat with you.

[vans1974]

Two brains are better than one! For me though, if my med cocktail isn't working, all the counseling in the world doesn't help! Best of luck and hang in there!