[MadHatter0416]

I've been searching and searching my surrounding area for a therapist or psychologist who specializes in bipolar disorder. I have been told by a number of individuals who work in the field that I am going to have a very hard time finding anyone who specializes in bipolar disorder. Has anyone else run into this? If so what has worked best for you?

[~Christina]

My Therapist works with any clients and any issues. He does particularly like working with people who have Bipolar.

Some T's aren't willing to deal with Bipolar as we can be challenging to "some" Therapists.

Best advise I can offer is schedule an appt with a few T's and see if you "click" with anyone.

Welcome to PC

[BipolaRNurse]

If you live in/near a city, you might have some luck finding one. Here in the sticks, I make do with a psych NP and a therapist, neither of whom are "experts" in bipolar but they know quite a bit and they do the best they can for me.

[MadHatter0416]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

My Therapist works with any clients and any issues. He does particularly like working with people who have Bipolar.

Some T's aren't willing to deal with Bipolar as we can be challenging to "some" Therapists.

Best advise I can offer is schedule an appt with a few T's and see if you "click" with anyone.

Welcome to PC

I've been doing exactly that so far, trying to see the situation as being similar to the meds, a process of trial and error. The first psychologist I spoke to was gung ho to work with me until I was hospitalized and diagnosed. Upon my disgorge he informed me that he felt there would be very little he could do for me as, "people like me truly believe what happens in your minds, convincing me otherwise would be next to impossible." He asked what I planned to do when I was hospitalized again, I was speechless. I told him my hope was in taking meds, going to therapy, attending support groups, educating myself that I would forgo another IP stay of at all possible. He then said, "my best advice is to find someone you trust and listen to them." This experience rattled me initially, after some time to digest I've redoubled my resolve. I realized I have more confidence in my future than that dr had in his own ability. I'm seeing someone else tomorrow.

[Victoria'smom]

"people like me truly believe what happens in your minds, convincing me otherwise would be next to impossible. Well that irritates. It's called reality checking and it's T's job to poke holes in your delusions, if you have them, until you see reality.

I go to a non-profit so they can't deny me unless I'm a no show to much. I don't get to choose my therapist but they're more likely to have dealt with high risk cases and family dynamics. My t just happen to be misdiagnosed bp so he knows a lot about it. I'd say go with a place like that as they deal with the more severe disorders that can decrease quality of life fast most of my T's patients are suicidal, Sz, SzA, BP, non-med complaint and/or forced to be there. T's not afraid of hospitalized patients actually he does it quite regularly.

[DesigningWoman]

Before scheduling any new first appointments, you have every right to call the office and ask if the therapist specializes in bipolar or is open to working with BP patients. This might save you some frustration, time, and money going to appointments with therapists who won't see you. Most office staff can not know personal psych details of clients. If you try and speak extensively about yourself, you will be cut off. It's not personal. It is pretty standard. They aren't mental health professionals.
However, they can answer if the therapist sees BP patients.

Good luck in your search.

[pirilin]

Hi MH,
I'm in the same boat.
I posted a thread similar to yours and was directed to
Ts that specialize in mood disorders. Not bipolar specific.
Checking the Psychology Today list, everybody does 20 different things.
I'm going to the NAMI meeting and ask around.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I would ask at an initial meeting how much experience they have in treating bipolar, what outcomes they've had, that sort of thing. The first visit should be more time to get to know each other anyway and those questions are completely appropriate.

I saw a therapist who was trying to learn as she went with me because she'd never treated someone with severe bipolar before. At the time I thought it was ok and then she moved away and I started with my current therapist who DID have experience with bipolar and it was like day and night. With him I work HARD at getting better; with her it was more supportive and we chatted more than anything. She was very nice and tried hard but she wasn't providing the treatment I needed. My current therapist can be someone to just talk to (like right now; I need to adjust to clozaril and the increased gabapentin before I am doing much work in there but he's making sure I'm safe and encouraging social activities when I wake up for more than 30 minutes at a time. So mostly we are just talking for a few weeks).

NAMI is a great place to find someone. The NAMI I went to had a list of good and bad providers and that might be helpful.

[MadHatter0416]

Thank you all very much, I found the NAMI location in my hometown. I will definitely ask around. The feedback had been invaluable to me. I'm seeing a therapist tonight who has had some experience with BD but not enough to call herself an expert. I'm beginning to accept it may take a two hour drive, if it does so be it, I know I have to be willing to go to any length in order to take care of myself at this point.

[jules77]

"specialists" can be hard to come by, particularly for therapists. psychiatrist may label themselves as specialists in mood disorders, but what i would recommend is to talk with the therapist about their experience dealing with BP clients/their methods. this way you will know if they really know anything about it. good luck.