Inpatient Programs In The Us?

[Marie999]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum, happened to stumble upon it through my search for PTSD treatment. So happy I did! I have been searching for years, but diligently these past few months, for suitable treatment. So far, I've done things on my own, self-diagnosed and self-treated myself, but at this point I need professional help.

I think an inpatient program would be my best bet; I am willing to go anywhere in the country, pay out of pocket, and stay for 1-2 months. Does anyone have experience or know of anyone who has been through a program successfully? One that treats a patient like a human being instead of a money machine (thats what I have found through my research)?

Any help or experience with a treatment facility would help me. Thanks for your input!

 

[Abigail7]

The best programs (most programs outside the local psych ward) require an official diagnosis along with an outpatient treatment team consisting of a therapist (at minimum) and quite often a psychiatrist as well. This is to facilitate treatment all around. That is, the inpatient team uses info from your outpatient team to determine where you are and what you need, and on the tail end, you will have outpatient care after treatment. I know that I currently could not be admitted to any of my previous away programs again as I'm between therapists. I think it would be a great idea for you to find a therapist who specializes in trauma and a psychiatrist who can diagnose you. It's possible that you could do a lot of healing outside of a residential program with a local therapist, and might not need to be away so long.

 

[Muted]

Do you have a therapist that you work with? Are you looking for a place that is inpatient trauma therapy @Marie999 ?

I agree completely with @Abigail7 about a local therapist. I haven't had good experience with residential and it can really complicate life to be far away for a long time. I understand wanting to get through it, because I'm there too, but it's a huge risk and a huge financial investment to be so vulnerable and far away from those you trust. This is just my opinion based on my experience. I hope you find the help you need and that works for you.

 

[Marie999]

Thank you @Abigail7 and @Gia1019! I have been yelping and googling all potential trauma specialists in my area. I seem to find NO trauma specialists, some with trauma experience, but focusing on OCD for instance, or specializing in a single modality, such as CBT. I know that finding the right psychologist is key, because I fear that the wrong treatment will send me down an even worse path. I seem to find no one I can trust and I find qualified in my area.

I also feel I need more of an intensive treatment than an hour a week, or even 3 hours a week seems so little compared to how this has impacted my life. This is overtaken a lot of my life, and I feel that I just need more support.

What would you guys suggest if I don't seem to find any trauma specialists? There is 1 psychologist I think is the most likely that could help me..her website says she is a clinical psychologist focusing on family law, with services also including trauma therapy. From what I can gather, she only uses CBT as treatment.

 

[Friday]

There is 1 psychologist I think is the most likely that could help me..her website says she is a clinical psychologist focusing on family law, with services also including trauma therapy.

This most likely means she specializes evaluating & testifying in difficult divorces, perhaps some ongoing support & periodic evaluations & statements through the divorce, rather than ongoing therapy. We had 3 of these through my divorce; mine (hired via my attorneys), my husband's (hired by his) & the guardian ad litem's. Mmm. 4 if you count the LCSW who finally waded through everything and made a determination.

Doesn't necessarily mean she doesn't take on clients for long term therapy, but I wouldn't be surprised if you need her for more than a court evaluation, that she would refer you to someone else.

 

[OneoftheMillions]

Hear you there. I too have been searching for such a facility, though not quite as fortunate as you in regards to the financial out-of-pocket means. Not long ago read the book "The Body Keeps the Score", by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., and he is the medical director of the Trauma Center in Brookline, Massachusetts. Might check that out? Blessings, and please do let us know what you find.

 

[Justmehere]

If you can't find someone who focuses on trauma, I'd look for someone who does at least 1 common form of trauma therapy, like DBT or EMDR, and has some experience with trauma, even if they treat other conditions as well. Focus on the types of therapy they do in their descriptions.

My recovery got so much better when I started working with a trauma specialist, but I still made tons of progress with a general therapist in the past.

If you can't find a trauma therapist, find someone you think you might click with. Some studies suggest that the therapist-client relationship to be the single biggest factor in a therapy being effective - even more than the type of therapy. I'm not sure this is always the case, but a good general therapist helped me become so much more functional.

I'd suggest meeting with a therapist and going over the level of your symptoms and seeing what they suggest would be an appropriate level of care.

With trauma therapy, more therapy isn't always better. Sometimes greater work or support is needed, and sometimes it can actually stir up more symptoms and be destabilizing.

It could be that you could do once a week treatment with them, and supplement it with a local skills based partial hospitalization program or group therapy like DBT.

As others have explained, you will need to work with a local treatment team to stabilize symptoms and assess needs before and after going to any inpatient programs anyhow.

I know that once a week seems too small right now, but it's a start. A good solid therapist who is even a general therapist won't pull you down into the depths of trauma work at the first session. They will begin to assess and help you find ways to build up skills to lessen and manage the symptoms better now.

 

[Muted]

If you could do EMDR that could help process things quicker, but for me I have found it helpful to talk with my supporter about somethings and also journaling and working through things on my own. The more Ive gotten to know myself and understand my reactions etc... the more I feel I can add to my progress outside of sessions. This forum has also really helped me to do that in several ways.