[Yearning0723]

I'm wondering if I should email the other two Ts on my list to see if they can do consults over the next few days. I have one consult scheduled for Friday which I don't think will work out but I'll give it a chance and one scheduled for Monday. Should I wait to see how these consults go before scheduling more, or should I have four in the space of two weeks and then compare them? I'm worried that I might want to compare a few different Ts and the way I feel during the consult, but I'm also worried that then I might have three (or four) Ts who might be really good and have difficulty choosing which one I want to see because one of them won't feel a lot better than the others.

Thoughts?

[HazelGirl]

I think it's a good idea to schedule several consults and compare. That just seems like it would work the best.

[Yearning0723]

I have two consults booked and I can compare those, and if neither feels quite right then I would schedule the other two. But is comparing four too much?

[unaluna]

Make a chart!

[Yearning0723]

Originally Posted by hankster

Make a chart!

Of what?

[HazelGirl]

Just a pro-con chart of each. And maybe summaries of the answers they give you to your questions.

[Asiablue]

I don't think it will be too hard to decide between 4 because it's unlikely you'll like all equally. You'll probably get a "feel" for one or two of them that you're really drawn too and from there you can start narrowing it down. Right now if they've met the primary criteria which they have cos you decided to contact them to find out more... the see if they meet the outside contact, what kind of support etc and if you're happy with that then the next thing you're looking for is a "feel" for them, are you drawn to any personality wise etc.

[Yearning0723]

Originally Posted by HazelGirl

Just a pro-con chart of each. And maybe summaries of the answers they give you to your questions.

So I should book consults with the other two now instead of waiting?

[unlockingsanity]

Your consults are a great way to get specific answers, too, so don't be afraid to go in there with a physical list of questions. I don't think it could hurt to see four different people, especially if you are looking for something really specific.

I would be honest though and say that you are checking out a few therapists before making a decision on who seems like the best fit for your needs. Therapists will understand this - they are used to it.

[HazelGirl]

I don't think it would be a bad idea to book all the consults. Really, it's up to you. It honestly doesn't matter. But it might make you feel like you have more choices and aren't "stuck" with one or two options.

[Yearning0723]

I would obviously tell the Ts that I'm "shopping around" and I won't commit to anything right away even if I have a good feeling - I'll tell them that I will call them to book an appt if I decide I want to do that. When I was doing a consult with current T, she recommended that I "shop around," since apparently that's pretty standard, which I didn't do because I felt really comfortable with her. But that was probably a mistake, so I will shop around this time. I want options, but I'm also worried about being overwhelmed with choices, or making the wrong one.

But either way - is booking two more consults going to be too much? Then I would have four (possibly three). How many Ts did y'all try out before finding one?

Maybe I just want to book one consult, see how the three consults go, and if I'm not sure, then book another one...does that sound smarter?

[Yearning0723]

I emailed one T to ask about a consult...nervous to hear back...but I hope it'll be okay.