psychiatrist

does anyone here see their psychiatrist for therapy. I typically see a P-doc for med checks only and have another therapist. What are your experiences. Pros? Cons?

I have bipolar 1 and am on Lamictal and Lexapro.

I use to see a psychologist but haven't been for more than a month. I'm wasn't a fan and didn't want to go but it help me a lot. I learn a lot of things about myself and others around me.

UA

I have been seeing my psychiatrist for both meds and therapy for the past 4 years. I feel very lucky to
have found one that does both. Actually, he does not do therapy for all patients--and nothing to do with insurance. He takes it on as a case to case basis. For me, he saw that he could better help me and be more aggressive with medication trials if he also had therapy with me. I have been pretty med resistant ---gone through over 40 meds in past 4 years. We have finally landed on a cocktail of Latuda, Effexor and Xanax at night, along with prozac, pristiq, dexedrine and nuvigil in the daytime.

He does not bill me extra for my session each week--just the basic visit plus my co-pay of $30.00. I know this is very rare. I found somebody that is really dedicated to his profession honestly and believes in good ol' fashioned patient care.

It is so beneficial for me, in that he is aware of what is going on in my life, got to know alot of my history and can work with me with both the meds and talk therapy. I couldn't imagine any other way. If a psychiatrist doesn't truly know you, I don't get how they can prescribe meds, without it being a crap shoot.
I know they are trained---but there is so much more to a person than meds that can alter their brain.
There are reasons behind the brain misfiring and putting us where we are---not always just a chemical reason. I believe there are many contributing factors to our disease.

If you have the opportunity for this, and respect your Dr., I strongly advise it.
Hope this was helpful.

Is P-doc your psychiatrist or your PCP? Just want to make sure I understand the question. If its your shrink than yes, I see mine for meds only and i have a counselor/therapist for talk therapy. I did see a lady psychologist for both about 10 years ago and she was great but i had to move for work and where i live, Phx, Az. doesn't have very many psychologists at least not for poor people. Good question though as I know all those letters at the end of their names can be confusing as heck. I honestly did not know the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist until the lady doc explained it to me and the counselor/therapist titles can be just as bad. Of course they have good reason for it, i prefer to see a counselor who specializes in addiction because I'm in recovery but in the past I've seen CBT specialist, a family counselor and even a marriage counselor and gotten exactly what I/we needed at the time. One more thing since your new to this, don't be afraid to speak up when you have concerns, ask Lots of questions its part of their job to answer them and if you don't fell comfortable, after a few sessions, with your counselor/therapist, get a New one! Its your life and your mental health and they are there to help you. Hope things will start looking up for you.