[ScarletEmpress]

I went to a new therapist today for the first time and after to talking to me for an hour she decided she didn't want to be my therapist. I answered her questions honestly but she said she was only interested in treating anxiety and OCD and since I have other issues( such as BPD and depression) as well as anxiety and OCD she doesn't want me as her client. Has anyone else had a therapist refuse them as a patient? Is this common?

[Chimney]

No that hadn't happened to me but i know I would feel incredibly rejected and insecure if that had happened. Quite a kick in the guts. How do you feel about it?

[Stronger]

Oh my goodness, that is not a fun experience at all! I am so sorry you had that happen. I have seen several Ts, but have never had one turn me away. Maybe it's better this way though, because maybe you'll be able to find a T who is able to help your more specific needs.

Good luck!

[dexter]

Jeez I can respect that a therapist might feel better tuned to treating specific illnesses but that should be something she screens for before accepting an initial appointment. Crap that is a nasty way to treat someone with a problem.

I did have a similar experience after being frustrated trying to find a therapist for several months, most didn't take my insurance or worse did not return my phone messages. That was hard as I was really in pain.

I finally had one return my call and when I spoke to him I told him where I was located and he refused to accept me as a patient because he said I was too far away. I worked about 20 minutes from his office. I told him work did not have a problem with me leaving for this (my boss and manager know about my depression) and he said he thought that would change once I was leaving on a regular basis, 20 minutes, to and from, plus 45 minute session. I was flabbergasted and hung up. Crap my manager told me I could have every Tuesday completely off if I needed it for therapy.

[elevatedsoul]

never good to try to open up to someone and be turned away...

maybe she realized that she wouldn't be able to really help..
and instead of trying and possibly making things worse she felt more comfortable letting you go..
maybe its bester than having an incompetent therapist thinking they can do everything try to help you when they aren't qualified to treat a cockroach.. ?

try not to feel rejected... but try to feel relieved that a therapist that isn't equipped to help you is not going to try to ..
when they can't handle you it can be nasty... the second therapist i tried clearly was not ready for someone like me and it screwed with my head so bad.. she would of kept seeing me too probably but i quit going because it was making me worse

we just have to find the right therapist that can work with us and the issues we face as an individual

don't give up...

[Mondayschild]

Originally Posted by ScarletEmpress

I went to a new therapist today for the first time and after to talking to me for an hour she decided she didn't want to be my therapist. I answered her questions honestly but she said she was only interested in treating anxiety and OCD and since I have other issues( such as BPD and depression) as well as anxiety and OCD she doesn't want me as her client. Has anyone else had a therapist refuse them as a patient? Is this common?

Where I live, there are only a handful that will see people with BPD because many just don't have the expertise for that diagnosis. I often wish I lived in a larger city so there were more to choose from.

#Life is a beautiful lie#

Before I entered my CBT program I met with the psychotherapist for an assessment to determine whether she in fact wanted to take me on as a patient. But, I was aware of this at the time the appointment was scheduled - that she didn't take everyone on that was referred to her.

Happened to me three times. It hurts at first but you will find a therapist who actually genuinely cares.

[dexter]

Originally Posted by Mondayschild

Where I live, there are only a handful that will see people with BPD because many just don't have the expertise for that diagnosis.

That is a good point Monday... ScarlettEmpress if you think the BPD might be the problem see if you can find a therapist or a group that practices DBT (Dialectic Behavior Therapy). I'm finding DBT to be of great help with my depression but it is supposed to be especially effective for BPD.

I might be wrong but I would imagine that a therapist that practices DBT would be familiar with BPD and willing to treat patients with BPD.