New To This. I Could Really Use Some Advice

[Tyler1]

I am an OEF vet. I have a disability rating for PTSD. As some combat vets may know, asking for help is hard. Especially if you are struggling to get by. I went to an impatient PTSD program a few years ago and since then I have utilized the VA outpatient mental health clinics. I have made great progress with my PTSD symptoms. One thing that helps me the most is talking with a therapist on a regular basis. Not only does developing a relationship with your therapist take time and effort, it is also very painful process sometimes. Especially for someone with PTSD, trust is a difficult thing to develop. I have been dealing with a recent death of my father and other family issues at this time. I haven't even talked to anyone except my therapist about these problems. Recently, I called my local VA to confirm when my next appointment was. Instead of being told when my next appointment was, I was told BY THE SECRETARY that my therapist no longer works for the VA and that I wasn't even allowed to make one last appointment or even leave a message. I have been going to the same therapist for 4 years and developed a great relationship with my therapist so needless to say, this was a huge shock for me. This was never discussed with me. I wasn't even given any alternative options. It feels like a huge part of my life was just taken away from me. I felt a sudden rush of old, uncomfortable emotions that sent me back to one of the worst periods of my life. I don't know if this is even the right place to ask these kinds of questions, but I feel like I may be running out of options here. Have any other Veterans experienced this? Where do you go from here? Am I expected just to brush this off and pick up with someone new? Or is this just an overreaction? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Sarg]

Tyler, there was a time shrinks rotated in and out about every three months at my VA. You'd just get lined out with one and the next thing you're breaking in a new one. I did manage toward the end to get one I kept for 10 yrs. but we hardly ever talked about PTSD, just meds.

I was informed that a fellow I didn't get along with very well with at the Vet Center had moved on, so I tried them again. Had an outstanding counselor (Nam Vet) for one on one's and group.

I recommend the Vet Center highly. Very different from the VA and the probably is high you'll keep the same counselor for a while.

Sarg

 

[OldDoorGunner]

Hi Tyler.....I go to my local VA CBOC. I guess I am lucky, I have had the same counselor for 3+ years. However I am on doctor #8......Sarg is correct about going to the Vet Center, as I believe you will have less turn over. I would use the Vet Center, but it's 80 miles one way.....

J R

 

[Jimmy1]

Hey Tyler, first of all welcome to the forum. My name is Jimmy as you can see and I live in the land downunder.

I hear where your coming from in regard to therapists. I had my first therapist for four years too, she was a lovely lady who got paid a pittance for the work she did and in the end she did it because she cared. I actually invited her to my wedding and she came.
Anyway, a few years ago she decided to retire, she was 70, but before she had me try a few before I found a replacement. He is not as good as her, but I am actually comfortable with him. He knows the days where I am unable to talk about anything and will call it short.

I think you should go into the VA and discuss with their senior pysch, there should be one there. Tell him of your trust issues, he should be aware. Failing that, your local Vet Centre as the guys have suggested. Another suggestion would be to find a local therapist that does work for the VA, there should be some of them too.

Cheers

 

[BaMuoiBa]

Welcome Tyler,

The lads have pretty much summed up my take on the question, can't add much more.

Ba

 

[SteveMD]

Tyler: With all the swirl in the US about the VA scandals, it is hard to buck the trend and say that VA has been pretty good for me. The meds doc is the same. Therapist came and went, but waiting for an appt. next week to do the next one. Great service but long delays some times.

I'm trying a fallback with a civilian psychiatrist, just to have a permanent backstop. I was glad to read your comments, and know that others have the same problem, and a dicey feeling about trust. For me, too, I am just sick of having to explain myself AGAIN. Here I am trying to be in the here and now, and have to go back to square one again with somebody else...

Steve

 

[Spock]

Welcome Tyler and glad your trying to get help, the strong seek treatment

 

[Sapper1]

Hi Tyler, that's pretty jacked up what they did. Personally, I would monkey-stomp that guy if I ever ran into him again! As others said, go to the Vet Center if you can. I've been with the same counselor for about 2 yrs and he's been great. I did start out with one that wasn't helping much for a year though. It's like shopping for a car. You have to take some of them out for a test drive. Don't give up though, just find another and press on.

 

[Lee C]

Welcome

 

[atilla]

welcome brother. Listen to theses guys that have" been there and done that" with the VA for the last 30-40 years. They made it this long. That in it's self gives me hope that we can manage our ptsd.