Suggestions/recommendations please - inpatient/residential treatment

[FauxLiz]

As I have discussed off and on for the past year and more urgently in the past couple of months my t and I are considering inpatient/residential treatment for my ptsd. The thing is I think I have forced him into the deep end and he does't deal often enough with clients that need this level of treatment that it isn't related to substance abuse issues. I won't say that I don't do my share of abusing substances when I am struggling with dysregulation and S/I but I don't consider that to be the primary issue I need assistance.

He is very familiar with Timberline Knolls in Chicago as he worked in that area for over ten years and he has acquaintances that work or worked there. But their primary area of treatment is eating disorders and you can trust me when I tell you that has never been an issue of mine. He was willing to contact Sheppard Pratt but he felt the staff were to not forthcoming with information and didn't like the idea of having to spend time filling out tons of paperwork just to get a few questions answered.

I know that there are other places that treat ptsd as a primary issue but I really don't know where and how to find them. I need a location that accepts insurance because I can't afford to private pay. I am deteriorating and I really need to find someplace but am beginning not to trust my t recommendations as the first time he suggested any more intensive help is was a local substance abuse center that treats trauma as a secondary symptom.

Please any help you can give would be appreciated.

 

[Muted]

Based on my experience, I would only go to a place that specialized 1st in my main issue. I say this because otherwise the main program is geared around issues that you may not have. This makes them less understanding and not as able to help with what you need help with. This can inhibit communication and end up causing your issue to become worse. I experienced all of this in the place I went to. This is just my opinion from what I’ve been through.

I hope you find a good place, it’s a hard decision to make.

 

[Friday]

He is very familiar with Timberline Knolls in Chicago as he worked in that area for over ten years and he has acquaintances that work or worked there. But their primary area of treatment is eating disorders and you can trust me when I tell you that has never been an issue of mine. He was willing to contact Sheppard Pratt but he felt the staff were to not forthcoming with information and didn't like the idea of having to spend time filling out tons of paperwork just to get a few questions answered.

I vote you need a new therapist, when all this is over. He wants to send you somewhere that doesn't deal with your issues, and doesn't want to fill out the paperwork for somewhere that does?!?

This is less to add to your burden of issues, and more to

1) Tell him to fill out the paperwork, it's important to you... and SP doesn't deal directly with patients, only with therapists, UNTIL a person has been placed with them. So you need him to man up and do it.

2) To make a mental note that part of your inpatient stay would be well used in finding a new individual therapist (treatment centers usually help with outpatient placement before discharge IF the person doesn't have someone). IE wherever you go make sure to tell them that you need help finding someone, the guy you have is not helpful & over his head.

 

[FauxLiz]

@Friday I think you are right about him being in over his head. I hate that because it took me so long to arrive at a place of trust but that can't take precedent over my obtaining the help that I need. I have no short term memory and remembering our sessions was extremely difficult. As a result about 6 months ago I began recording them so that I could listen to the session to help with my healing. What I have found in listening to the sessions is a reluctance to address my major trauma issues. He seems hung up on what I consider to be the small stuff.

 

[EveHarrington]

I’m currently looking into River Oaks in New Orleans. It seems to be the best fit for me out of all I’ve looked into.

I’ve also looked into

Sheppard Pratt—Baltimore (doesn’t work with me at my level, from what I can see)

Timberline Knolls—Chicago (doesn’t take my insurance, no-go from the get-go)

McLean Hospital—Boston (again doesn’t fit my needs)

PIW (again doesn’t fit my needs)

If there are others, I’d love to hear about them. (Today I started a thread asking for feedback on River Oaks.)

 

[FauxLiz]

@EveHarrington Thank you for the input. I am considering River Oaks as well and have looked at Sheppard Pratt, PIW, the Refuge (in Florida), Sierra Tuscan (in Arizona) and the Meadows (in Arizona). I have looked at Timberline Knolls but have I think ruled it out as they don't treat trauma as a primary condition they specialize more in eating disorders and substance abuse which is not where I am. I haven't looked at McLean. This is a very scary decision to be considering and I am struggling to keep my head above water while making it.

 

[FauxLiz]

So I contacted River Oaks today to get additional questions answered. I am sure that I came off as complete paranoid and was so nervous I was laughing and trying to joke around to make light of the fact I am considering inpatient treatment. I know that this is an important step toward healing but I am terrified. I committed (he never says promise) to my t that I would make a decision on which treatment center (I have been considering 6) and that I would agree to a time frame for admission (not that easy between being a single parent to an almost 18 yr old, while trying to manage to retain my job and prepare for two children to graduate in the spring) I am debating between ASAP and waiting until after the first of the year when my son turns 18.

 

[Friday]

Before the holidays if possible would probably be best.

Just because trying to hold on through the holidays can be... Problematic. On a lot of fronts.

 

[FauxLiz]

@Friday I am painfully aware of how problematic the Holiday’s are, from November 1 through January 1 I have more than three separate traumaversaries not including the issues with the Holiday’ themselves due to family and childhood abuse. But that doesn’t mean I want to create negative memories for my children either. I guess this conversation with my t today is rather important because I know I have attempted suicide the last two New Year’s Eve and that is problematic.

 

[FauxLiz]

So, I received word today that I have been accepted at River Oaks. They offered me a bed as soon as tomorrow (not an option as I am a 15 hour drive away and can't imagine what a flight would have cost). I will be talking to the admissions coordinator in the morning and if not tomorrow they offered me a day next week but now that this is really really I am freaking out. I don't know how to talk to my kids about this or my employer. All of a sudden I feel like there are so many things standing in the way of this happening. Not only am I in the middle of several major projects at work my son is 6 weeks short of being 18 which would make my absence much much easier in terms of where he stays, how he gets around and does basics like grocery shopping, deals with the school etc. On top of that if I wait until he is 18 I won't have to inform his dad who despite the short period of time until our son turns 18 would be dumb enough to begin a legal battle and he lives 100's of miles away.

Am I crazy to be re-thinking this? I lived with all of this for years would it really hurt to put it off a little longer?

 

[scout86]

Am I crazy to be re-thinking this?

Maybe. :) I can sure understand why you're doing it though.

I think "panic" is kind of an understandable reaction. When you talk to the coordinator tomorrow, you might want to explain about your son and see what they say. But, he's not going to be any more responsible in 6 weeks than he is now, there's just the legal thing. You can probably work that out. Your ex can do what he wants, they'll tell him he's wasting his time. He couldn't even get a court date that fast, I'd bet on it. (Is it only the one kid to worry about?)

Breath! You can do this.

 

[Freida]

This is great news -- and yep ..I'd be panicking too! Kid will be fine on his own! Good grief he's almost 18 so he can cook/clean and shop for himself! dad can fuss and waste money for nothing, work will be just fine without you for the time being and if they are not -- you will be better prepared for what to do next once you get some really good help.

You have been waiting and hoping for this for so long - you deserve it!!!!!!!!!!

Now get out of your own way and don't screw it up worrying. You can panic. Just don't let that stop you!