New psychologist......

[PamelaR]

Hi all

Everyone welcome to have their input.

This week I'm off to see a new psychologist. My previous one retired and I've been trying to find a new one. The last two were pretty average and didn't help me at all in what I needed, i.e. to get through episodes of PTSD, anxiety and depression.

So, how am I feeling? While I've been waiting for my appointment, I've become very active in writing in BB. This has helped me to realise how - NOT ALONE I am. While it's not good for those of you who are experiencing these episodes, I do take comfort that help is at hand.

So, what am I afraid of? That I have to retell, relive, re-experience my trauma(s). Yuk, oh yuk. However!! When I started with my last (good) psychologist, she did not need me to retell, relive, re-experience my trauma. It was good enough for her that I had already opened up everything and explored all the hidden secrets with the previous psych! So it was easy for us to move on to 'identifying those things I was currently experience', 'what processes I needed to put in place to move on', 'get in touch with my inner child and give her the comfort she'd never had'.

So, what does this Thursday have install for me..... Hopefully, if he's worth his weight in gold, i'll not need to open up the scabs that have closed and healed. That we'll move on to how to proceed being retired, no longer working, suffering bouts of PTSD, anxiety and depression. So keep your fingers crossed for me.... Will let you know how I go (BTW, my GP says he's very good 🙂 ) Here's hoping!!

Kind regards

PR

[blondguy]

Hi Pamela

I hope you have doing reasonably okay 🙂

BindiQLD had some great points about emptying our bucket with our counselor....excellent...

Bindi also mentioned the cost factor which is fair enough....except....there are mental health workers available through our local council......sure we dont have a say in who we can choose but they are free.....I called my council in the '80's and had a psychiatric nurse visit me when I was going through my chronic anxiety

He was the best therapist I have ever seen. He was professional...gentle....and helped me 'empty my bucket'....and yes I cried my eyes out....

Some councils have this facility and some dont. Your GP will be able to answer that question and may help you not only find some peace but save you thousands of dollars too 🙂

Please be gentle with yourself

Paul

[PamelaR]

Hi Paul

Travelling reasonably well thank you. I like your response. Both my brother and husband have seen a counsellor through the local council and it worked well for them.

You're right about being gentle with oneself. I think we all need to do that.

PamelaR

[bindi-QLD]

Hi Paul, and Pam,

Paul, That's interesting to hear about free/ low cost mental health workers being available through your council, thanks for sharing that. Awesome that the one you got was the best you ever had, too.

I did best with mental health professionals when what I was dealing with was more generic. Then when it got specialized, I found it harder to get the care I needed.

I just wish there were more transparency and reviews, so you could gauge the professional you're hiring, like most services these days. I'm quite in agreement that quality care comes down to the person, not their cost. They aren't all the same, but they can do damage in some cases. When you are mature and know what issues you're dealing with, it would really help to have more information IMO.

Its a common criticism , As far I've encountered. People just like to know what they are paying for, and if its worth it.

[PamelaR]

Hi Bindi

You raise some very interesting points about whether you are getting value for money when you see your MH therapist. That's a really hard situation to evaluate. The customer/client would also have to carry out the recommended changes/ or whatever it is proposed. From my own experience working in the health field, clients were not always that accommodating in doing what was benefical for themselves. So the question becomes - who is ultimately responsible for whether the treatment works or does not work? Whether it is more damaging or not?

Overall, I believe in empowerment of individuals, that should be paramount in any therapy. The difficulties with that is not everyone knows how to be empowered. Maybe that is something therapists need to consider in any treatment before anything else????

[bindi-QLD]

Thanks Pam,

My main `specialist' mental health needs revolved around dealing with Psychopath/Narcissists. So its pretty fringe right there, as far as Australian general knowledge about such PD's goes. You have a lot of people in Australia enmeshed in relationships with people with such personality disorders, family, partners, work. They enable these personality types because of lack of consciousness usually, and it can include mental health professionals. And some mental health professionals have those disorders.

I was in a support group for people experienced with these issues for ten years, and what happened usually if you encountered an `enabler' type MH professional, is they would be a bit threatened , because of their position as enabler, and invalidate you. That can cause harm if you need help. They could also encourage you to engage with the Abusive person in a way that causes more harm. I call it a clash of values, but its probably really just lack of consciousness on their part. They can cause so much harm, I've supported people through it many times.

Like I said, its specialised.

One thing I can say, people dealing with psychopaths and narcissists is a HUGE MH area in the USA, I've been a member of support groups dedicateed to that in the USA for many years, and its bigger than depression and anxiety there. So its good to connect with others on the Beyond Blue forums who get it and want some support.

[Guest8901]

Hi Bindi, I was interested in your post about narcissists. I believe my husband is a narcissist as he seems to fit all the criteria. I am wondering however (since you obviously have a great deal of wisdom and experience in this area) whether you have researched 'attachment disorders'. From what I've read, an insecure attachment is very similar in characteristics to someone who is a narcissist.

Amanda

[PamelaR]

Thank you Paul and Sez

I think I'm a little over my head in this one. So I have absolutely no worries about either of you responding. It's really good and much appreciated. Actually I've been struggling with replies for awhile now.

Thank you both very much.

PamelaR

[blondguy]

Hey Pamela

No worries at all. You have a well articulated thread topic here and kudos to you.

If I may say that having a MHW (mental health worker) as a counselor is a huge bonus when we are stuck and need to find some peace

The dollars involved dont always reflect the quality of care. When I saw my MHW I had no idea of what to expect. He did break down the force field I had up and gave me back my life....something my high priced therapists kept failing with.

He was a career Psychiatric Nurse and was motivated by his job.....not the dollars. My GP referred me to the public mental health care system (and my council) I didnt have the dollars to anything else at the time

Thanks heaps for letting me clear that up 🙂

Always a bonus to read your quality posts/TLC Pamela

My Kindest

Paul

[PamelaR]

Thank you Paul for your lovely complement and sharing your experience.

I have known many psychiatric nurses in my life - in both a working and social capacity. Have never had the need to see one, but my knowledge of these people - they are very caring and wanting to support people with MH issues. They've been awesome people.

[Just Sara]

Thankyou so much Pam for opening up to us for a side-line comment to another member. I apologise for any confusion this may have caused you or members. (posters and readers)

Finding a psychologist is often referred to on the forum, both in specific terms as well as random comments. Having a good psych, diagnosis and treatment plan is the groundwork for progress and recovery. So providing a thread to discuss this sometimes controversial subject fits the bill nicely.

As I've said, I applaud your courage and conviction. It takes a mighty soul to support others on their journeys while suffering the effects of your own illness. Not to mention keeping a positive mindset along the way. Well done and thankyou for your time and effort..

Kind thoughts;

Sez