Possible need to relocate - thought of all new docs is upsetting

[Still Standing]

There is a huge possibility that we will be relocating across country to Long Island, New York. This means that everything will be new and unfamiliar. I will have to reestablish with new medical docs, Physical Therapist, and a mental health Therapist. The thought of starting all over with a new psych doc is upsetting. Do any of you do therapy via Skype and how does that work for you? I hate to lose the doc I have. I am just getting comfortable with him. When you start over with a new doc, does he start you off as if you are undiagnosed and puts you through all the preliminary assessments again? Or does your current Therapist, transfer your records to the new person, and you simply continue where you left off before the move? The thought of starting over with a new person is both threatening and upsetting. We should know in two weeks, if the move is necessary. Hopefully, it can be worked where hubby commutes back and forth so we don't have to disrupt our lives, too much. That would be the best solution and the one I am hoping for.

 

[KwanYingirl]

This is what my experience was. I moved just one state away, from NH to Maine, to start my own business. My whole life was in NH although my children were both in college. It was going to be a fresh start for me after having gotten very sick and losing my career due to that. I just up and moved to a house that needed complete renovation. I was connected to Voc/Rehab in NH who helped me start my business and they transferred me to Maine Voc/Rehab. That counselor was my lifeline, she was amazing. I had taken on a Herculean project while having a simultaneous nervous breakdown due to PTSD.

I was 2 hours away from my therapist and doctors. I pretty much just saw him once a month for a 2 hour session. It was all about clinging onto a lifeboat. The business was going well, but my PTSD was severely worsened by the stress I put myself under. My Voc/Rehab counselor gave me the name of a local therapist that she thought was a good fit. She was. I slowly shifted my care from NH to Maine. Picked out a medical doctor just by who my insurance would cover and finding a psychiatrist took a lot of calling around. The therapy was ok but I was having a lot of PTSD symptoms. So one of my clients gave me the name of her therapist that was a trauma specialist. He actually trains other therapists how to treat trauma. I’ve been with him for about 7 years. I’ve made a lot of progress but my anxiety is always amped up. I use alternate therapies like Reiki and massage therapy and yoga. I haven’t made but one friend here. I’m an introvert and I isolate as a rule.

Across the country, get your heath Insurance and then look for trauma therapists online. Psychology Today has a therapist finder you see a photo and brief bio. That didn’t work for me because of my chemical sensitivities. I don’t know what your trauma was, but I connected with the local rape and assault agency and they recommended psych docs and general support while I was in transition.

I have always lived in New England. Progressive, social awareness and support, love of Nature and humanity. Many famous colleges and hospitals. Long Island has its own culture. I have many summer clients that come from there and they are intense. I mean, they’re rich so they might not reflect the average people there, but I find them to be distrustful. Like nobody is good enough for them.

My advice is to somehow stay connected with your t until you’ve found another, but start looking as soon as you can because everything takes time. It can be exciting if you love culture nowhere’s better than NYC. But if you live in a mellow place, the pace will take getting used to. I don’t regret moving.

 

[Still Standing]

This is what my experience was. I moved just one state away, from NH to Maine, to start my own busi...

Thanks for the suggestions and for sharing your own experience. You also mentioned the intensity of the people on Long Island. That is a whole other issue for me. I get very uncomfortable and scared around intense, harsh-speaking people. Having grown up in Washington state, the harshness of the East Coast folk, seemed odd because we speak 'normal' with no intensity and do not invade people's personal spaces. And to live where there are thousands of people locked together on an island, is unappealing. So, on top of moving, the challenge of the local culture intimidates me. Ugh. So, I guess I will start doing some research for therapists who specialize in trauma. Maybe I can have my doc see if he can dig up a few suggestions, too. He is from the southeastern part the country and might know someone in that area I could see. But, if Skype is a possibility, that could be an option for long-term use or as a filler until a new doc can be located. This whole situation is such a stressor.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I moved across the country the other way. There are many, many fun and interesting things to do in NY. Can you get a tourist guide and choose some things you would like to do if you move? My brother and I flew back east and ordered coffee at a coffee shop, and the person was mad and banging things around because she had to make a new pot of coffee. At a coffee shop. We laughed about that for years.

 

[Still Standing]

And the coffee shop incident would have upset and scared me...still would. A loud harsh voice sets my insides off and makes me extra aware of my safety. Hubby will be thrilled to move. He is a people person and loves culture and the arts. Me, not so much. And I have to use a cane if too much walking is required, so walking NYC is a bust. And there is no way, I can go underground to ride a train with all those people. It is hard enough to get on a regular bus. Now, if he could relocate us to a place in northern New York, that might be easier...somewhere outside of the city and all the people. But, he still would have to commute. It is all too much to think about. And to have to lose my therapist after putting almost a year into getting comfortable with him and just getting to the point where I can talk a little bit about the hard issues, to stop and change to someone new, seems daunting. Knowing me, I may not continue counseling, if I have to start over.

 

[DharmaGirl]

Many people live in NJ or PA and commute to work. There are many beautiful places in both states, and in upstate NY. Country settings, small towns. I think we laughed because we were away from people like that. You are right, the culture is very different, but there are good people everywhere. I hope if you have to move, you can find a good town to live in.