[lenjan]

So right after I moved here in November, I started looking around for a T. Had a few sessions with one I picked out of the phone book -- never a good idea -- didn't like her at all (I require my T's to be smarter than me; she didn't qualify) -- so much for that. I decided to just go it alone.

Well, lately I have been having an even worse time than I was having the first time I looked for a T. Did some research, found one who sounded like her specialty would be a good fit for me, called for an appointment.

She's retiring and not accepting new patients.

Fine, anybody else available at that clinic?

Let's see. Oh ... um ... the earliest anyone has open is MAY THIRD.



If I make it to May 3rd, at this point, it's probably going to require an inpatient stay.

Last two T's I saw, I got in for the first time in two weeks, max.

How do they expect people in crisis to handle a months-long wait to talk to someone?!!

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((((((( Candy )))))))))))))))

PM any time if it might help.....

Hi Candy. May 3rd... That must seem so long away. At least you do have an appointment though. Can you try calling some other T's in the meantime to see if you can hook up with someone sooner? That way, even if you can't, at least you have a set appointment. Do you see a Pdoc? If you do, maybe he or she can recommend someone for you. But you are right-- it really doesn't make sense to make someone who is going through a really hard time, wait so long. Talk with us in the meantime!

[lenjan]

As you can see by the ratio of views to replies, nobody talks to me here anyway, so I just don't bother posting much. Time to crawl back in the cave and shut up.

[Fuzzybear]

I'm not sure it's quite true that "nobody" talks to you..... I've clicked on this thread more than once too.... trying to think of a reply but I don't have many words often..... Sorry you're feeling so bad though and I really hope you find a T to talk to, there must be someone out there who can help?

[Perna]

I had similar beliefs/problems with the "smarter than I am" qualification and kind of came to realize that there are different kinds of smarts and my T was a PhD in psychology (which I'm not) and was "better" at interactions with other people which I definately needed/need to learn! That she seemed less able in some areas (everyone has their competencies and their weaknesses, therapists and us included) I came to learn after many years with her, my perceptions/ways of judging weren't right at the time. But I kept my eye on what I wanted to learn/come to understand and in those particular areas, she was better, nevermind that she needed a seatbelt for the La-Z-Boy recliner which she could never figure out how to make it recline until I showed her (the lever to pull was "hidden" in a pocket:-)

Have you thought about going to your old T for a few sessions to tide you over until the appointment with the new one? Better than nothing? I've done online, e-mail therapy: http://www.metanoia.org/ for a bit and that was helpful tiding me between sessions?

[Christina86]

Candy, May 3rd is a ridiculously long time. I hope you find some way to get to see someone else in the meantime.

(((((((((((((Candy)))))))))))))

[lauren_helene]

May 3rd?? Nice. Can you try calling more therapists? That is an unreal amount of time I think...

[DePressMe]

I think the number of views go up because people are checking out the site--and when I first came here I just read and did not post for awhile. I wanted to get use to the place before I jumped in. When I am depressed I often read posts but sometimes don't have the energy to reply. Don't let it get you down. The important part is that the people who do decide to post have some real good things to say and are concerned about you. I understand the problem of not getting into a T--that is a long wait. I don't have too many new suggestions to add--see if you can find a new one T? I know it is frustrating--hang in there and do whatever it takes to take care of yourself.

[sunrise]

Hi candy,
Waiting until May 3 is an awfully long time! And you don't even know if you will like that person. Can you interview other T's in the meantime? Have you tried going through your employee assistance plan (EAP)? That is how I found my first counselor. I called them up, told them my general complaint, and they gave me two names of qualified counselors who dealt with that problem. I called both of those, neither of them could see me, so I called EAP again and got 2 more names. And so on. So look into referral services available to you where you work.

If you are a college student, you can often get free or low cost counseling on campus.

Another good place to get ideas is from your primary care doctor. They can tell you qualified counselors and therapists they have recommended to their patients before and that they respect.

Those ideas aren't too original, but maybe they will help a little! Good luck.

sunny

[withit]

I would call the t and say that I am really looking forward to the May 3rd appt. but that I really need something a bit sooner. Would she please be able to notify you if there are any cancelations by other clients?
I know when I called a new t and I was thinking, Ohmygod how am I gonna hold out until then, so right then and there on the phone I said, 'oh that's an awfully long time to wait, I hate to come across so desperate but is there any chance we could meet sooner? I may be able to shift my schedule around to accommodate an earlier appt. ' And I was indeed offered an earlier appt.!
So I think you have nothing to lose by asking. If she still doesn't have availability sooner than May 3rd I'd ask her for a temporary referral. I'd be honest about my need for support and hope that she can at least empathise with you on that.
Take gentle care,

[sidony]

Good ideas, withit. There are always cancellations. Maybe you can try that, candy?

Damn but May 3rd is a long time. That totally sucks. Keep looking around for other therapists. Scour the net!

Sorry I can't be more helpful. But I sure hope you find someone sooner. That definitely sucks.

Sidony

[bipolar_bear]

(((((((((((((((((((((candybear))))))))))))))))))) May 3rd is a long time away. Maybe you could call back and tell them that you know that was the earliest that they could make an appointment but you really need some help right away and is there anything they can do. Sometimes they can juggle lunchtimes and make things happen. I really like the cancellation option. Please don't give up. PM me anytime.

[southernyankee]

with DePressMe. I was and I am the same way.
Please hang in there. A lot of people really do care even if they don't post. I just somethimes get too overwhelmed with everyone's pain and don't know what to say.
((((((((((((candybear))))))))))))

[southernyankee]

Is just me or there a lot of loveable "Bears" that come to the site?

[sunrise]

Here's the trick I used to get in to see my current therapist the first time. He is extremely popular (because he's fantastic) and has every slot filled every week and probably has a long waiting list too. I called him the first time to see if I could come to see him for help with my problem and he never called back. (Maybe he just doesn't return cold calls from potential new clients because he is so booked.)Anyway, I had gotten his name from a friend of mine who works with someone he works with professionally. So I called again and dropped the name of this professional contact of his. Worked like magic! He called back within a couple of hours and I had an appointment within a few days. So you could try to ask all your personal contacts if they know a T they would recommend. Then be sure to drop their name when you call for the appointment. lol, maybe that will not be useful to you, but it's worth trying if you need to get in before May 3. Good luck.

[OliviaC]

Candy,
I am so sorry you have to wait so long for your appointment.
Where I go (University hospital clinic) I overheard one of the front desk clerks telling someone new that they are not accepting new patients and haven't for six months! I was shocked.

Do you have a primary care physician? Sometimes they have the clout to get you in to see someone earlier. I know it shouldn't be that way..... or do what I did and look on the internet (I already had the pdoc's name) and found her email and sent mail directly to her. She replied that she would see me. I also sent a cc to my primary care doctor. I got an appointment within a few weeks.

(I had been told that I could not get an appointment with this doctor by the staff ) So went straight to the source.

Hope this helps,
best wishes,
Olivia

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((((((( nelleus )))))))))))))))