why is it so %#@&#! hard?

i can't believe the BS you have to go through to start therapy. i have money, i have insurance, i can pay... what's the problem? i've been calling and calling for weeks and all i ever get is voicemails. i've left over ten messages with different offices and groups and emailed three other different places over the past several weeks and so far only two people have called me back. one to ask about insurance information (which i already left in the voicemails) and another one who told me they might be able to fit me in next month. i swear to christ this is how things escalate to rampages and suicide.

I'm sorry it is so hard for you to find a therapist. It should not be that hard! I recommend getting a referral from your doctor and having the doctor's office make a call on your behalf. Or name drop when you make the call to the therapist. Leave a message, "My doctor, Dr. Jones, has given me your name, blah, blah, blah..." Or, "My Employee Assistance Program has given me your name..." Then the therapist (or your EAP) knows that if he/she doesn't respond, you will tell your doc (or EAP), and he/she will be taken off the referral list, which could result in a source of clients drying up.

I am so sorry you are not getting the help that you need.

so sorry you are going thru this. I had the same trouble in the UK .... i was so lucky in the end ... i go to a place where you give a donation, my therapist was fully booked but wanted to see me and she has just qualified as a psychotherapist .... i know the trials and tribulations and the suffering and i really empathise with you .... good luck, hope you find help real soon, love Jinny xoxoxoxoxoxo

((((((((((((( all4themusic ))))))))))))))
I am sorry that you are having a hard time finding a therapist, I hope that you find a good one soon.

have you tried your state's psychologist's association. They often have a referal service to psychologists who are accepting new clients.

Sorry you're having a tough time.

---splitimage

"Hello. My name is Jane. I need a therapist. I have insurance and I am employed. I am also entertaining suicidal ideation. Please call me back at 555-1212."

Simple.

I agree. . .it's insane to try to get help in this country. However. . .it IS against the law for a therapist to hear you state that you are "entertaining ideas of suicide" though not having a plan, and NOT contact you.

Manipulation. . .gotta love it.

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all4themusic said:
i can't believe the BS you have to go through to start therapy. i have money, i have insurance, i can pay... what's the problem? i've been calling and calling for weeks and all i ever get is voicemails. i've left over ten messages with different offices and groups and emailed three other different places over the past several weeks and so far only two people have called me back. one to ask about insurance information (which i already left in the voicemails) and another one who told me they might be able to fit me in next month. i swear to christ this is how things escalate to rampages and suicide.

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Hi again.

I've never heard of searching for a therapist being as hard as it has been for you. Kudos for not giving up.

First of all, don't any of them that you called have office staff? What's with all of this leaving messages?
In my case, I was told about this therapist by a friend. I called and said I had never been seen before, and that I would like to make an appointment ASAP.
I spoke to the secretary. His office has 5 therapists and 2 full time office staff. They did not ask me what I wanted to be seen for or anything other than if I had insurance and the date. When I went to my initial appointment, which was about a week after my initial call, I filled out paperwork that asked what the problem was, etc.

Do you live near a university? Most universities have a hospital; these university hospitals usually have therapists and psychiatrists that you can see until you get a private therapists. Some areas are short on psychologists. At the very least, you could get them to prescribe some type of sedative so you can calm down in the interim period.

I'm really sorry it has been so difficult. I had to miss my appointment with my psychiatrist this week due to massive flooding where I live, and it was important. I was so angry at that... it was terrible. So now I have to wait until next week. I can understand. I've had other things happen before too where I needed help right away, and no one was there, so I understand.