[Faechild]

Hello all, I'm facing a bit of a dilemma right now. Currently I see both a psychiatrist and a psychologist for my depression/anxiety/OCD. My psychiatrist prescribes me medication and is the one in charge of the practice, while my psychologist works for her and does talk therapy with me. I love my psychologist, I've been with her for years, but sometimes I wonder if I might be stagnating. Since getting medication and seeing a psychologist, my anxiety and OCD have improved significantly, but I still struggle with depression and low self-esteem. I feel bad saying this, but I can't help but wonder if perhaps it is time for me to seek out a new therapist? Someone who could help me conquer my depression and low self-esteem? There are one or two other therapists at the practice I go to, but I don't think they could really help me either. I think perhaps I might have to go outside the practice to find a therapist who could help me. But I fear that if I do, then my psychiatrist won't prescribe medication to me anymore and I need that medication. I also struggle with feelings of guilt too over the thought of leaving my current therapist, because she really is a wonderful person and I have grown quite attached to her. Perhaps too attached though, I am also afraid at this rate I may never be able to bring myself to terminate the therapy simply because I am too attached to my therapist. Even now, the thought of leaving her somewhat upsets me. I have spoken to her about these thoughts (except for the whole attachment part) and she has told me that if I feel I need to switch therapists I should. I've also told her I would like to try a different approach but unfortunately she only does talk therapy, no CBT or other types of therapy. Sometimes I get frustrated because all I want is advice and she won't give it to me.

What do you guys think? Sorry if this was a little long of a post. Should I seek out other therapists? Am I too attached to my current one? Is the current therapy I am doing, talk therapy, not working? And if I switch therapists, will I be able to stay with the same psychiatrist and get my medication? What do you guys think? Thank you!

[SlumberKitty]

Hi, I would ask your psychiatrist if you can switch therapists and still see the psychiatrist for meds. (I see different providers at different practices and I don't think this would be a problem.) One thing you might do is interview some therapists to see how they fit. Some therapists will do a free 15 minute "session" to talk about your issues and whether or not they can help you. A lot of therapists now a days seem to be doing CBT. You can probably find one that does that if that is a type of therapy you are interested in pursuing. You could even see a therapist for a consult about how your therapy is going with your therapist and whether or not a change would help you. You aren't being disloyal to your therapist if you do that.

It's great that you brought up these concerns to the therapist but since she hasn't tried another approach, it might be time to look for someone who will.

[Faechild]

Thanks SlumberKitty for the advice, you make a good point. I will continue to do research and discuss this with my current therapist and psychiatrist, and perhaps try your suggestion as well to do a 15 minute consultation if possible. Thanks again!

[ElectricManatee]

There is no way for us to know if you're too attached to your current therapist, and I'm not even sure if I know what that means. I do think the attachment is something you should talk to your therapist about. You seem ambivalent since you mention wanting to leave but also feeling nervous about leaving, and I think that's worth talking about.

CBT is talk therapy. It is just a particular structure/framework for how problems and solutions are defined (plus it has homework). Most therapists won't offer advice, though. It's not terribly helpful in the long run if they try to make your decisions for you.

Your psychiatrist worry is easy enough to solve: just ask if they would keep seeing you if you switch therapists. I see a psychiatric nurse practitioner who is not associated with my therapists in any way, and it's fine for all involved. The psychiatric NP wants me to be in therapy and has some available therapists in her practice, but she doesn't care who I see.

[LonesomeTonight]

I agree that you should try looking into other therapists and try the 15-minute consult if they offer it. If they don't, some may allow a brief email exchange or phone call (free) to see if they could be a good fit for you. Sometimes even just seeing one for one or a few sessions can help you figure out if you want to stay with your current T or change. I'd also talk to your therapist about how you feel you may be stagnating and see if she has any ideas to help you. I understand the guilt about changing therapists, but it's very common to do. Your therapist should just want what's best for you, which could mean switching therapists right now. My T has said that each therapist only has so much in their "bag of tricks" (skill set and ability to help), so change can often be helpful or necessary to make progress. It could also be a case where maybe you go to a different T for a few months or longer, then eventually go back to your current T.


And I'd just ask your psychiatrist if they can still prescribe meds for you if you see a different therapist--I imagine that won't be an issue.