[Wilderleaf]

For several years, I've had recurring thoughts that I should see a therapist. Sometimes I start writing down reasons I should. I've gotten to the point of trying to find one through my insurance website multiple times, but I never follow through. I think I get stuck trying to decide who to choose. Or maybe I chicken out. Or convince myself of any number of things that all say it won't work out anyway. I'm not sure. I think I've read that you should be referred by a general practitioner first. I don't really have one. I guess I'm looking for advice or encouragement on how to move forward. I've been getting worse. I don't think I'll be okay without help.

[Saltine American]

When it comes to failure to find one through insurance there are free mental health facilities that can and will help you either find one there or help you find one through your insurance. Embarrassing at first? probably. But when you finally see someone and open up about whatever you may be facing, you will be surprised at how "professional" people will be understanding your situation and helpful to you. I hope you go through with it. If you do, and it's a bad experience, don't let that stop you from trying and finding somewhere or someone else.

[Argonautomobile]

This is the hardest part. If I could give my past self advice, it would be this: This is so much simpler than you think it is.

Because, in retrospect, it WAS simple:

1. look up phone number to local community health center.
2. Call: "Hi. You take X insurance, right? Good. I'd like to establish as a patient. Next Thursday at 10am? Ok. Thanks."
3. Go to appointment. Fill out paperwork.
4. Doctor: "Wow. This paperwork indicates you've maybe got some psychiatric problems. Can you tell me about that?"
5. Respond by bursting into tears.
6. Doctor: "Ok. Want some pills? I think you should take some pills. Let me get you an appointment with the counselor."
7. Take pills. See counselor. Repeat.

The advantages to going to your GP are that they can do med management if needed, investigate organic causes of your problems, and make a referral to someone legit who doesn't try to cure you with aromatherapy and crystals.

I mean, unless you're into that. It helps some people.

This doesn't mean you can't just do steps 1-3 directly with a therapist, though. Just call. Ask if they take insurance. Make an appointment. In my experience, you're sort of flying blind at the beginning. You won't really know if a therapist is going to be right for you until you meet them, anyway, so why agonize over choosing one based on a website?

Hope that helps. Good luck.

I found my T's website from a Google search of Ts in my area. I sent him and email and we set up an appointment. It was super easy. There was no need to get my GP involved.

[Walking Man]

Sometimes when I don't know what to do about a health issue (or other issue) I make myself act. I get bogged down in thinking about things, looking it up on the internet, weighing pros and cons, and generally being paralyzed. I'm either putting it off, too confused to decide anything, or afraid that any action I take will be irrevocable and forever. When that happens I try to call someone immediately. It doesn't matter who. The worst that can happen is that they tell me they don't take my insurance, can't see me, or I don't like them. I don't have to make the best decision, it's enough to get started. I'm always glad I did.

[laxer12]

I thought about going to therapy for the longest time and I actually gave it a try twice (over the course of 4 years) before finding my current therapist and sticking with it for over a year. You can always make an appointment, go and then decide after that it isn't something you want to do right now. No one can make you keep going, that choice is up to you. However, I would suggest giving it at least 3 sessions before you make your decision. I almost made the decision not to go after my first session but after the next couple, I decided to stick it out and it has changed my life.

[Mygrandjourney]

Originally Posted by Wilderleaf

For several years, I've had recurring thoughts that I should see a therapist. Sometimes I start writing down reasons I should. I've gotten to the point of trying to find one through my insurance website multiple times, but I never follow through. I think I get stuck trying to decide who to choose. Or maybe I chicken out. Or convince myself of any number of things that all say it won't work out anyway. I'm not sure. I think I've read that you should be referred by a general practitioner first. I don't really have one. I guess I'm looking for advice or encouragement on how to move forward. I've been getting worse. I don't think I'll be okay without help.

Would looking at it as a professional consultation help? You could schedule the initial intake session, ask the T what they think(what their impression of your presenting issues are) and what they would recommend you do(sometimes I might even tell a prospective client that reading a book (e.g., "Feeling Good", etc), exercising, finding a like minded social group or joining a yoga class would be helpful rather than attending therapy sessions. Ideally, it's a two way street wherein you and the therapist work out a treatment plan together, rather than the therapist telling you what you need to do. This is one of the things that makes therapy different than other, more medically based treatment models, where the professional prescribes a treatment and expects the patient to follow all guidelines to the letter.

[Wilderleaf]

Thank you all for your advice. I searched around a bit a few nights ago, but when I found someone I thought about contacting, I was hit with a huge amount of anxiety I didn't even realize I had about it, at least not at that level. I'll try working up to it, or maybe I'll have one of those moments when I can make myself. Honestly, just posting here was difficult. I know it's not logical, it feels so stupid.

[Argonautomobile]

Originally Posted by Wilderleaf

Thank you all for your advice. I searched around a bit a few nights ago, but when I found someone I thought about contacting, I was hit with a huge amount of anxiety I didn't even realize I had about it, at least not at that level. I'll try working up to it, or maybe I'll have one of those moments when I can make myself. Honestly, just posting here was difficult. I know it's not logical, it feels so stupid.

It's not stupid. It's human. I think many of us have been in the exact same situation. I put off making the first phone call for an entire YEAR. Kept agonizing about calling, talking myself out of it, picking up the phone, hanging it back up after the first ring. It sucks and I wish you the best of luck.