Question regarding Counseling

Have you talked to your doctor about this?

Your doctor should be able to send you in the right direction. Often they can refer you to who you need to see. I have seen counselors, therapists, social workers and psychologists, and they were all helpful. So the first step is getting started, and I recommend you ask your doctor. If you don't feel comfortable with that, than call your local mental health agency.

I am glad that you are seeking help. We can all use counseling or therapy at one time or another. I still see a psychologist and a psychiatrist.

Best wishes for a wonderful day.

Karen

Hey all, great news! I called my insurance and they told me that I needed to discuss my issues with the provider I'm seeing and that they should direct me to someone that fits my needs. I could go somewhere else but I would have to change to a whole other provider. So it was best that I try to discuss with them before I made the switch. I talked to the manager at the place I'm going and she wants to see me in her office tomorrow so we can discuss my needs and goals. Based on our conversation she will put me with the best match on who I need to see. So I'm happy about it. Because they seem like they really care. It's kinda hard to explain but I go to a place that provides behavioral health services, so they have everything you need in that one place, the Dr and counseling. They offer a wide range of behavioral health services. So there is more then one dr and more then one counselor etc. I was just leary about going to another counselor there because of my bad experience but since I am able to sit and talk with someone face to face about my needs, I'm happy about it now. One phone call and that's all lol!

psych psychool
lcpc
Hello there,
A psychiatrist basically sits with you for a bit, hears your problems, and is the MD that prescribes you medicine.
A psychologist is a counselor, but has a higher degree (a PhD or a PsyD) so they are more likely much more experienced.
An LCPC(or licensed clinical counselor) basically does the same as a psychologist but with a lesser degree.
You could also see a clinical social worker too, they are therapists as well.

If you dont need meds, there is no reason to go to the psychiatrist.
Make an appointment with someone in a psychiatric family care building, they will most likely ask you if you want to see a male or female so thats your preference. If you want to talk to your primary doctor first, they can refer you, but I didnt. What I did was I called my insurance company to get a place that is covered by my insurance, and I made the appt. and went in.

Best of luck to you! Counseling is life-changing.

Well all, everything went very good today! I think it was just a conflict of not feeling comfortable or meshing with the person I was seeing. The lady I saw today was such a different experience. I'm really comfortable with her and she totally understands my needs and goals. She made me feel at ease. We actually went through my file while I was there because I told her that I really didn't have a great understanding of what I'm experiencing and I've been so desperate looking things up on the computer. The Dr I saw in Jan when I started all this, actually wrote down several different things. Bipolar, Dsthymia, Major Depression and Postpartum Depression. The therapist told me that the Dr didn't even really know at that time and that the docs plan was to figure that out as she saw me. Well too bad I wasn't informed of that properly because all this time I was under the impression of bipolar because that's the only thing the Dr told me. So I've been really trying to understand it and was so confused at times because I really couldn't relate to it. Anyway I'll be seeing a new Dr next month and my new mission is not to focus on a diagnosis but just get a understanding in depth of my symptoms. The new therapist I saw today also told me that she doesn't see this other side of me as mania (which I was feeling the same way and couldn't relate) that it could be a form of anxiety and obsessive thinking. Which I CAN relate to. She also talked about Abilify which Karen you have mentioned to me and I also thought of it as well. So I'll be discussing that with the Dr.

It's so weird because I just feel so at ease about everything now, almost like a new beginning. What happened today just justifies to me that this year will be my road to recovery!

I didn't want to start a new thread but just wanted you all to know I'll be away for a while. My SO and I are going out of town for the first time ever by ourselves for a few days. His parents will be watching our son and my SO's brothers son who is 3. So my son will have a blast with his grand parents and cousin. Anyway take care everyone, I wish you all well. I really need this and most importantly WE need it!