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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by no_rose_garden on August 13, 2008, at 10:12:16
I need to find somebody "in the community" as the counseling center only offers 10 sessions/yr. I still have several sessions, but he wanted me to look while i'm still with him.
He gave me a list of 13 names with phone numbers of people in my town. He doesn't know anything about them. I can't find these people online (but i can find others that are more expensive or don't take insurance). He said I should just call and have them call me back so we can set up an appointment...I don't want 13 appointments just to find out something about these people! One thing i found online made it seem like one of the peopl eis a career counselor...i don't want to get stuck with something like that! That's not what i need!
What should I do???
Posted by wishingstar on August 13, 2008, at 16:05:43
In reply to Finding a T - FRUSTRATED, posted by no_rose_garden on August 13, 2008, at 10:12:16
I'd say give each of the Ts on the list a call and speak to them briefly on the phone before asking for an appt etc. Ask them what kind of counseling they do, what kind of clients they have experience working with, etc.. and see if it seems like a match based on that. If it seems like someone you could potentially work with, ask for a.. geez, cant think of the word!.. a first session just to see how things go and interview each other essentially to see if you'd be a match. Like a consultation (still not the word I'm looking for). Most Ts should be more than willing to do this with no problem. After speaking to each on the phone, you should be able to knock out many from the list and only go to a few actual appointments, not 13. Good luck!
Posted by no_rose_garden on August 13, 2008, at 19:48:15
In reply to Re: Finding a T - FRUSTRATED, posted by wishingstar on August 13, 2008, at 16:05:43
Thank you so much wishingstar...it probably seems stupid and trivial, but i guess i just don't what to do and I try, but don't seem to do things right.
I'm glad you posted...for some reason, it seems like whenever i write something i don't get any/many responses :(
Posted by Looney Tunes on August 13, 2008, at 20:10:11
In reply to Finding a T - FRUSTRATED, posted by no_rose_garden on August 13, 2008, at 10:12:16
Hey. I was in a similar situation recently because I moved and it took me 7 months to finally find the right therapist!
Here is what I did. I called and left a very brief message like "Hello my name is LT and Dr X referred me to you. I can be reached at xxx-xxxx all day today and tomorrow. Hope to hear from you. Thank you."
Then I waited. Professionally, a T SHOULD return a call within 48 hours. Since it is the summer, some might be on vacation. When they return your call, have a list of questions ready to ask. I asked about their training, if they ever dealt with "people like me," their fee, their length of therapy, if they take insurance, etc. Then if I liked the way they answered I made an appointment.
It took me 5 T's before I found my T now. I was getting so depressed, but you can't give up. One T I saw for 3 months and then decided we did not click.
Unfortanely, there is no easy way to do it then to dig your feet in and go. And sometimes there is no way to tell until after a few sessions.
Good luck.
Posted by Lemonaide on August 14, 2008, at 16:35:55
In reply to Finding a T - FRUSTRATED, posted by no_rose_garden on August 13, 2008, at 10:12:16
Many T will call your back and answer any questions you have about them to see if you connect to them. But visiting them is the best way to know, but I would hate to used my credits for that. Good luck, I hope you find somebody for you.
Posted by wishingstar on August 17, 2008, at 11:24:15
In reply to Re: Finding a T - FRUSTRATED » wishingstar, posted by no_rose_garden on August 13, 2008, at 19:48:15
I'm sorry for taking so long to respond... I've been in sort of a difficult place the last few days and hadnt even responded to my own thread. Oops. Anyway, it doesnt seem stupid and trivial at all. I found my first T on my own at age 18 and picked her randomly off some online directory somewhere. She was renting office space in one room inside a fertility clinic! (Believe it or not, this person is the wonderful "old T" I've been posting about here... I got lucky.) But it's not stupid at all to be confused or anxious about finding a T... a T is a person you (hopefully) really show your inner self and vulnerabilities to... and to pick a person for that out of a phone book? It's really weird, when you think about it. It sometimes takes a long time to find the right T. If you meet several on the list you have and none feel right, dont feel like you're doing it wrong or being too picky.. you're not! Keep looking until you find someone you think you can work with and connect with. It stinks to spend money on all the consultation fees but in the long run, it's not worth it if you end up with a T you dont really click with just to save a few fees. I've seen probably a dozen Ts in my life, some for only one-two sessions, some for longer.. and there is still one who sticks out in my mind as the best for me by far. It doesnt mean shes necessarily the most "talented" or trained, but we clicked and it works for me. You're not doing anything wrong. :)
I'm sorry you feel like not a lot of people respond when you post. I've felt that way here a lot in the past too.. For me, I think it's a mix of personal insecurities and also the fact that some people on here are closer friends and have met in real life, so I'm a little left out of that connection. It is a crappy feeling to feel ignored though. Feel free to babblemail me if you ever want to talk or need someone to listen.. I dont mind at all.
Hang in there. :)
> Thank you so much wishingstar...it probably seems stupid and trivial, but i guess i just don't what to do and I try, but don't seem to do things right.
>
> I'm glad you posted...for some reason, it seems like whenever i write something i don't get any/many responses :(
This is the end of the thread.
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