want to start therapy

Hi. I'm new here and I'm looking for some advice. I want to start seeing a therapist. I've been having a lot of problems with depression and anxiety lately. It's getting to a point where I am nervous about leaving my apartment to go out with friends or even just to the store out of the fear of panic attacks. I've had several really bad panic attacks lately and I'm sick of having to apologize to friends because I have to leave concerts early, leave a restaurant or just plain have to stay in for the night. I have a big trip planned for the beginning of July out to California for work and I'm terrified of going. I really want to be able to talk to someone and hopefully get some medication before the trip to calm my nerves so I can pull this off.

I've called several therapists and therapy networks over the past few weeks and so far all I've been able to do is leave messages and wait for someone to call me back but I still haven't heard back from any of them.

Do any of you guys know of a way I can speed up the process? Or what your experiences have been?

Thanks

I can tell you about my own experience - because it's the only experience I have in seeking a therapist

When I decided to start therapy, I looked around online for therapists on my insurance. Psychology Today has a pretty good search engine, with pictures and little blurbs from the therapists. I e-mailed the one I was interested in, and he did e-mail me back. We eventually talked on the phone- I liked him, but sort of put it on the shelf for a few months.

When I realized that I was really going to HAVE to go to therapy, I contacted him again. I also called another therapist. They both called me back fairly promptly. I was really torn between them - but the first guy I called basically did therapy on the phone with me while I was stuck trying to decide (he helped me explore my feelings about the two therapists I was caught between). In the end, I chose him.

I wonder if summer is a hard time to reach therapists? I know that a lot of people on here seem to have therapists who have been on vacation a lot lately (like mine is right now). I'm so sorry no one has called you back yet!

I wouldn't settle for a place that you can only leave a message and wait for a call back. The place i go there's someone there all day to answer for appointments. If they aren't there and you leave a message they call back within an hour usually. I don't know where you live, but I would either be persistent and keep calling the places you have called or keeep finding new places to call. Good luck and keep us posted with what happens.

i actually got one of the numbers from psychology today. it was a good site. and.... someone did just call me back! got my name wrong, asked for more information and then said they'd call me back again i guess that's another step

It can help get you a speedier call back if you mention in your message the name of whoever referred you to the therapist--an acquaintance, a doctor, your employee assistance program, etc.

I think it's OK to have a T who does his own calls rather than letting the clinic do them. My T handles all his own calls (he's not part of a clinic). One benefit of that is that you don't have to speak to anyone besides your T, no problem with confidentiality, receptionists knowing more than you want them to, etc.

Good luck. That's great you did hear back from one.

I located a psychoanalytic institute in the closest large city and asked for a referral to a therapist who was also a candidate at the institute. There was a contact listed there and I emailed her. She gave me T's number and I called her and we scheduled an appointment within the coming week. This worked great for me. Here's a link for you.

American Psychoanalytic Association

If it is medication you are looking for, you would want to contact a psychiatrist, who is a medical doctor that specializes in medications.

Your trip sounds fun! I hope you will be able to enjoy it.

by the way allthemusic... i think it's fantastic you're doing what you need for you. Glad you're getting help for yourself. Great job.

I have always had good luck with Ts. They have always returned calls. I think, if one did not return my call in a short period of time, I would not want to have them as a T. I think word of mouth is the best way to find one. Or a family doctor could give you a referral. I hope you can find one soon.

I think the Psychology Today Web site is pretty good. You might try looking up a local mental health organization, too. Like NAMI, or the American Psychiatric Association. WebMD is a good one, too.

All4themusic, I think that it is great that you are going to see a T, I find therapy very helpful. If you can't get in before your trip is there any way you could go see your normal doctor for some meds that would help. Good luck