[Simcha]

Not sure why I'm posting this. I suppose I just need some advice or encouragement.

I have to find both a new psychiatrist and a new therapist due to moving to a different city. Sadly I have an excellent therapeutic relationship with my T but he now is too far away for me to visit.

I've done some research online as to possible candidates, but I have no word of mouth to go by, and even that I don't trust anyway. I know I need a T and I REALLY need to go back on ADHD medicine. Its been too long and I'm in a position where I need to stop procrastinating because of my fear.

Yes, Pdocs in particular sorta scare me. I've had some very specific bad experiences with Pdocs that make me wary. T's also scare me to a certain extent, but not as much as Pdocs. Yes, I used the word "scare" because I do not find Pdocs very benign. Perhaps I have become paranoid of them due to my experiences and specific background. What strategies do you guys use when you have to find and talk to somebody new?

[sunrise]

Simcha, can you ask your therapist and pdoc if they can recommend colleagues in the new city? Maybe they know someone there, or could make a few phone calls on your behalf to come up with names of people with good reputations.

If you could come up with a couple of names, they might be a way "in" to the local therapist community. You could call up a T on the phone and tell them what kind of therapist you are looking for, and ask if they fit that description and if not, can they recommend anyone they know. Do you know what you are looking for in a therapist?

For pdocs, my area seems to have very few. (You always hear these things about how so many doctors are choosing not to become primary care providers anymore, but they sure aren't becoming psychiatrists either.) Does your new area seem to have many? I go to a PNP who was recommended by my T for ADHD. She has been really good. Maybe a PNP might be less scary because of your bad experiences with pdocs. It might be easiest to find either the T or the pdoc first, then use them for a referral to the other person.

Do you have a doctor in the new area? If so, perhaps they can recommend some therapists or pdocs. And perhaps your regular doctor can tide you over with ADHD meds until you find a pdoc.

Good luck with your search. I'm glad you are seeking out support in your new location.

What happened with the court thing? Is it all behind you now?

[darkrunner]

Originally Posted by Simcha

What strategies do you guys use when you have to find and talk to somebody new?

I really understand this. It is so defeating to have to start over with someone new. The 'strategy' I have used, good or bad I don't know, is to detach myself, or pretend I am talking about someone else that I don't care about
It also helps when talking about trauma stuff, to put all the blame and shame on the victim and believe they deserved it - I think this helps because it takes away the fear of the pdoc/t coming to this opinion on their own and if I tell them then I know what they are thinking and don't have to worry so much about them judging me.

ok, now that I've typed this, it doesn't really sound like healthy strategies at all. so maybe it's best to not listen to me at all.

Hi ((((((((((Simcha))))))))))

My T is my first T, but I can tell you how I found him

I started on the Psychology Today website..because they have a lot of T's with descriptions written by the T and their pictures. I REALLY read every description to kind of get a feel for the T. It was at least super-easy to eliminate people that way! Then I picked a couple and called and talked to them on the phone. My T was SO helpful and gentle on the phone that I felt like he was the guy for me, and he was.

It probably sounds very easy, but I decided in August to see a T and didn't make an appt until November, so it was a long, difficult, scary process. But SO worth it.

While you are looking for a pdoc, is there any way to get your ADD med (with refills) from your old pdoc??

I really liked Sunny's suggestion of asking old T about colleagues in your new area. You never know...

it's good to "see" you

[zooropa]

I haven't been able to find anyone in my area who is willing to prescribe my adhd meds, I've been here for a year and half and since I've lived here I've been off the adhd meds b/c they just don't want to prescribe them for adults in this county. Hopefully you won't have that problem. I look forward to moving out of this county someday and being able to go back on my meds and having my brain work correctly again...