When Do You Need To Change?

[nie]

Ok, so I have been seeing the same therapist for almost 4 years. I am comfortable with him and I trust him. However, I am wondering if he has helped me all he is able. When I first started therapy I thought that I was just depressed. I soon discovered it was much more than that. I have talked out about all I can talk out. I am wondering if I need to switch to a different therapist that specializes in trauma (as mine doesn't - my diagnosis actually came from the psychiatrist my therapist sent me to see). I was searching on my insurance website today, and there is a therapist that I could go to that's specialties are PTSD, trauma, abuse, rape, and sexual dysfunction. Just wanted to get some thoughts from others.

 

[OKRADLAK]

Could you go to the 2nd therapist on a trial basis ? I did that once. It did not tell the 1st therapist because he kept threatening to cut me off, so I was panicking because I guess I was attached. I went to the 2nd for a trial. Sometimes they are free, the first session.

I did not switch to the 2nd one because I was too attached to the first and reading more about transference and stuff, I think it was a very bad attachment but I was so alone I guess I needed to feel attached because I was really really gone.

 

[Zemi]

Have you talked to your current therapist about this? Maybe it's something the two of you could explore together as a way of you continuing to heal. Then if you did talk to someone else you could possibly do it in a way that you knew your current therapist was hopefully still there as and when needed.

 

[Nicolette]

I am a firm believer that if you have a bladder problem you should see a Urologist, if you have female problems you should see a gynecologist, if you have heart problems you should she a heart specialist, if you have skin issues you should see a skin specialist etc.................

So, if you have discovered you have PTSD and not just depression my vote would be for the therapist who specializes in what you are suffering as it is only then you increase your chance of getting the most appropriate care.

I would rationalize it like this: I have a fabulous GP who I can see any time and trust. But with anything out of the scope of ordinary illness he always sends me to a specialist. This way I have always received the best treatment quickly versus going to him trying to nut out something which is not in his area of expertize.

 

[anthony]

If your gut says change, then change... 4 years of therapy sounds like a long time to me just personally.

 

[nie]

I am going to call the (possible) new doctor and try to set up an initial visit. Talk it through with him, and get his opinion. I just think the "talk it out every week" approach is not really what I need anymore.

 

[nie]

I did it. I have an appointment made for a new psychiatrist and therapist. They are in the same practice. I go on Tuesday to me the psychiatrist.

 

[IchBin]

Nice. I know it's hard for me to set up stuff like this and it always makes me really nervous. I always worry about the right fit, going somewhere new, etc. Somehow it always works out in the end though. Congratulations on taking this step!

 

[AngelaMarie]

I want to wish you good luck with your appts. Good job for taking the step!:tup:

 

[nie]

I meet the new dr. today. Pretty anxious right now, but hoping for a good fit. Thank you all for the encouragement.

 

[nie]

The new psychiatrist visit went well. After talking with him, I am going to hold off a few more weeks before deciding about changing therapists.