New Therapist?

[Intrepid]

I've had the same therapist for 5 years, and she has been with me through the hardest parts of my recovery. Now I'm moving out of the area and won't be able to see her. I don't know if I want to go through the effort of trying to hunt for and break in a new therapist. Finding a good one is hard, and getting the new therapist to understand my situation is harder. Sometimes I think it's better to not try to start again. Anyone have experience with finding a new therapist?

 

[scout86]

What does your current T say about all this? Have you talked about it with her?

 

[joeylittle]

I have always, always relied on recommendations from people that I've worked with and had a good experience. Ask your therapist if she knows anyone in the area you are moving to, or if she'd be willing to make some calls to colleagues or look just a bit. You can also ask her for ideas about what kind of 'buzz words' to look for vs. avoid, just in terms of how therapists describe the work they do. She knows you very well - capitalize on that.

 

[WillyKat]

@joeylittle said it all for me. Whether you get a referral or not, my advice is to phone screen or set up a get acquainted session with two or more possible shrinks. Interview them and ask about their approach, etc. Often you can find out this info on the web (like their licence #, credentials, etc.). Do some internet digging to make sure they didn't get their degree from the School of Evil or something. As you're talking to them, see if there is a healthy chemistry for you.

If you like, you can even tell them that you're shopping around at the end, but if they know that up front, they might present their best side so to speak.

 

[mrsps]

I have just started with a new T. My old T chose this T for me as she thought she would be the best fit for me. I have only had 3 sessions so far and really like this new T. The hardest part is starting all over again pretty much as this new T needs to learn everything about me. So the process is slow as there is so much to go through so much to tell her before we can really start working on things. I have found the hour goes SOOOO fast.
I wish you all the best in what you choose :)

 

[SeaQuel]

You can also try asking other medical providers (primary care) for a referral list. I would agree with @WillyKat that setting up a few consultation appointments with different therapists is a good idea. (My current therapist did not sound very friendly over the phone, but I came in for a consultation anyway and am so glad that I did.)

 

[Seasounds]

Sorry you are needing to make such a decision.
Good advice above.:tup:

I can embellish, regarding what I learned during first phone calls and meetings.. What served me well, was to pay attention to my physical and emotional responses, to having my first phone call, or first in person visit.

I use to be too frozen to pick up, whether or not I felt comfortable. In my frozen self, i just focused on whether or not I "thought" they offered what I wanted. For example, what I didn't pick up in the past, was how my body got tense, and how I felt emotionally intimidated, when in the presence of a therapist who was dominating-not really relating to me.

In looking for my recent psychiatrist, i called twenty, over a period of three weeks, after i got references from universities and hospitals, and found out if they were covered by my insurance.

in paying attention to my mindbody responses, I called the contenders. I eliminated psychiatrists who made me tighten or feel inferior; i eliminated those who used snotty, snide, pushy, arrogant, and/or degrading words and/or tones of voice, or if they interrupted me, assumed they knew what was right for me, or if asked me, indirectly, to deny the truth of my experience. I eliminated people who tried to "lead" my process, or who made me feel invaded, with their way or words, of asking questions.

I met with the one who passed the test, and who didn't push their "stuff" on me, was kind, and frank, amidst being frantic to go on vacation. Our first meeting in person, was consistent with my experience, during the phone conversation.

Good luck!