[ilisten]

So I see a therapist (he is a LCSW) and I have talked with him about going to see someone to get medication. Today he gave me a list with 4 names of psychiatrists. I never go into anything blindly so I googled them and I'm not crazy about any of them. The only 2 of the 4 that are so so.. well my number one choice is further away than I would like to drive. My #2 choice has an office closer but mixed reviews and I'm not sure if him and I would be a good fit. I don't want to spend time calling around and going to see people if I think it isn't going to work. I have a hard enough time as is. Should I make my best effort to see someone from my therapists list or can I just choose someone on my own? What relationship do my therapist and psychiatrist need to have, or do they need to have one? I don't know how it all works. I was at the end of my therapy session when I got the list, and I'm really nervous about meeting with someone new but I know it is something I need to do. Any advice would be awesome!

[CantExplain]

If those four are no good, you'll have to spead your net wider. (You: Duh! I already knew that!) A Goggle search is indicated. But first, ask your medical doctor.

[MASIMO]

I searched and found my own Psychiatrist. He is a ways away and didn't know my T.
They have spoken a few times. My T sends him session notes from time to time.
My PsychDoc does counsel me as well as med review. They seem to have different roles but keep the information flowing enough to provide continuity of care for me.
If I feel there is a dissconnect, I will ask them to call each other. My T hates meds.
It's interesting to have both. Basically, they are on the same page. If they weren't, I would be looking for another doctor. Good luck, you will know when you find the right one.

[sunrise]

ilisten, can you ask your therapist more about the colleagues he has recommended and who he thinks would be a good fit for you? He probably knows all 4 of them and also gets reports back from clients he has referred to these pdocs before. So he hears client feedback, both good and bad. He also knows you really well and probably has a sense who would fit well with your personality. I think having a list of 4 as a starting place is a good place to be in, and easier than trying to find a pdoc randomly from the phone book, for example.

Your therapist and pdoc need to have a relationship of mutual respect. There may not be much communication between them at all, or there may be quite a bit, if it would be helpful. (You will need to give them permission to speak with each other if they would like to.) I go to a PNP who was recommended by my therapist, and he told me quite a bit about her beforehand so I had a good sense of why my T was recommending her, her expertise and philosophy, etc. Also, when I needed a referral to a family therapist, my T gave me a list of 6 names and we went through them together one by one, with T telling me what each was like, their personalities and specialities, etc. It was so helpful. Your T can be a great resource in helping you choose.

Good luck.

[ilisten]

My doctor a long while back had me see someone before I was ready, I hated his referral and wasn't ready for treatment so I don't want to go back to him because I am in the process of switching primary doctors.

The main thing I am running into is my therapist is a 40 minute drive because I used to live with my mom, I kept him when I moved because the idea of starting over again was too much. I was hoping to get a psychiatrist closer to home so that wouldn't have to be a far commute. I has just switched to my therapist like 6 months before i moved out of my moms and decided that was some water that I didn't need to make waves in.

I want to ask him more about them, he just pulled out this book and started writing names down and it was the end of my session, I also really want to call and get an appointment in the books. I also have to consider if they take my now current insurance and my insurance I am switching to come January.

Thanks for the advice everyone!