Is it just me or is it really hard to find a decent therapist

[Mel...]

Is it just me or is it really hard to find a decent therapist?

I have had psychologists on and off for years now, some of them helpful, most of them not. I recently started seeing another psychologist, one that specifies in CBT who seems to read her tactics out of a book as she talks to me, she also thinks that the reason I am so depressed is because I don't have a boyfriend... for me, speed dating just isn't an option to improve my mental health. On the other hand I have just started seeing a psychiatrist who changed my anti depressants, I haven't noticed a huge improvement and so he put me on another medication as well as my anti depressant that completely sedated me and made me feel like a zombie. Is there a happy medium here? From speed dating to sedation, I feel like I am not being taken seriously. I have had positive results with anti depressants in the past, is it just that maybe I haven't found the right one this time? Is it that maybe I should trust my instincts and not the medication from the psychiatrist? Or is it my anxiety and depression that is making me doubt people who are trying to help?

Geez Im tired of being sick. I would love some advice or to hear some similar stories.

Mel. 

[geoff]

dear Mel, thanks for posting.

Can I ask you a question and I only mean this in a jestful way but which page was the boyfriend on, maybe chapter two, I know that's not fair but a psychologist should have asked you first about any past boyfriends and how the relationship went even before her statement of you need a boyfriend.

This bewilders me on her tactics, is she just out of college, but a decent psych should know off hand on how to question their patient, and then their counselling should change as to how their patient responds.

If you do have trust with your doctor then I would go back to him/her and refer you to someone else again, which I know it's hard to keep on telling someone your story again, but maybe you could print out your story and photocopy it to then give to the new psych.

If this medication is sedating you I'm not too sure that this is what you want, because it's not helping you overcome any problems if you are asleep.

You seem to have had a difficult journey trying to find the right therapist, but have a look under 'get support' at the top of this page, where there is a list of doctors who are aligned with BB, and maybe there will someone who can start repairing your life.

I hope that I haven't said too much but I hope that you can reply to us. L Geoff. x

[AGrace]

Hi Mel,

Welcome. Your concerns are sadly quite common. It sounds like you have joined the mental health washing machine, where you just go round and round, and the only thing you get out are soap suds.

It took me almost a year to put together the right treatment team, and as much as the continual changing was a bit of a nuisance, I now couldn't be happier with the current professionals looking after me. So I understand your frustrations and I hope that you wont give up here but instead really explore your options.

If you take a look at the Australian Clinical Psychology Association website (google ACPA) they have a broad list of Clinical Psychologists across Australia. You can actually submit your details and the details of your illness to find someone who will specialise in the area of treatment that you require. Once you have some names google them, call them and find out what you can about them and the services offered by their practice.

With regards to a Psychiatrist, these Drs are best equipped to deal with your medication but should also be working with you on your issues. I had one instance where a prior Psychiatrist would only see me for 10 minutes and his key question was "Do I need to write you any scripts?", nonetheless I was still charged for a 1hr consult!! If you visit the RANZCP website you will be able to find a Psychiatrist again who specialises in the type of treatment you wish to pursue.

Once you have found your preferences ask your GP to write your referrals.

The whole boyfriend thing, am I right in thinking you don't want a boyfriend right now? If this is the case then getting a boyfriend as you said isn't going to be very helpful. It's often better to get ourselves on the path of treatment/recovery before we enter into a relationship.

I'd definitely trust your instincts and get some new support, and hopefully some very reliable assistance in treating your concerns. The last thing you need to be doing when you don't feel great is second guessing the prescribed treatment.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get on.

AGrace

[Mel...]

Hi Guys,

Im sorry about the tardy reply. I just found the 'my posts' tab and realised I could look back over my posts to see if people had replied.

I stuck with my therapist and it turned out okay, I haven't seen her in a few months but it definitely time to go back now.

I started to like the way she trivialised our sessions, it made me laugh at myself and not take things to seriously. The whole boyfriend saga has blown over. I am not ready for a boyfriend right now, when I am feeling more confident again I will look back into it.

Thank you for the ACPA and the RANZCP websites. The reason I stuck with my therapist was because she bulk bills for me as I am a poor student. However, I am going to look into a new psychiatrist for some medication advice. 

Thanks again.