For those of you in counseling...

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
For those of you in counseling...
10
Sat, 09-02-2006 - 10:45pm
I wanted to know how often you go?
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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-25-2004
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 8:14am

I think counseling is a great idea for anyone with PA. When choosing a therapist, I generally like to do a little phone interview with them before I set up an appointment. I ask questions like:

1. Do you treat anxiety disorders?
2. What treatment methods do you use?
2a. Can you explain how you use those methods to treat PA?
3. What is the success rate of those methods in your practice?
4. Have you had any special training in the area of anxiety and panic?
5. Do you do family therapy if necessary?
6. Do you do sessions over the phone if necessary? (an issue for me,not necessarily for you)

I know enough about PA to weed out the potintials that don't really seem to truly understand how PA works. After that I schedule an initial consultation with the two or three that I think are the most knowledgable. At the consultation I give them a little back ground on me and we generally talk about how they'll treat my specific issues. From there I decide who made me feel the most comfortable, who I related to the best, etc.

It's not a sure fire way of finding the right therapist, though. This last time, the first lady I picked turned out to be a little bit of a quack. I didn't realize it until the 6th or 7th visit though. I moved to the next lady on my list and have been very happy with her.

I go twice a week at the moment. I will decrease my visits to once a week here soon. It was my choice how often I wanted to see her. With all the change going on in my life right now, i decided that twice a week for a while would probably be best.

Good luck finding a therapist!! There are some great ones out there, but as someone once told me, finding a therapist is like finding a good pair of shoes. Sometimes you have to try on a few pairs before you find the right fit.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 9:22am

For my 1st couple of therapists, I found them through an anxiety board online

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-1998
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 9:44am

I started out at weekly, but then because of cost, went to every 2 weeks, then to every 3, now to monthly. I found my therapist through a recommendation from my pdoc that I really trust. However, my therapist recommended a book I just started reading yesterday, The Anxiety and Phobia Handbook by Bourne. In it, they mention a website for the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) On their website, www.adaa.org, you can put in your zipcode and find a therapist that specializes in anxiety issues. (go to "resources" tab and then choose find a therapist from the pull down menu)
Of course, no therapists show up in my area (including the 2 recommended to me by my pdoc) but if you live in a bigger area, you may find one this way.)

Good luck! I really feel the therapy helps!
Karen

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2003
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 10:22am

The first one I found through my Mom, she was a reccomendation from someone my Mom works with. I was with her for about 6 months and we decided she wasn't helping, that I needed more CBT therapy. So I just pulled up the list that my insurance covered - they are very detailed and they tell you what each specializes in and how many patients they have, etc. So I just randomly picked, the first one I picked I didn't like from day one so I never went back. This 3rd pick I've been seeing for about a month, a little more maybe, and so far she's good I guess lol.


I usually go once a week unless I can't find an open appt. at the time I need, so then it's every other week.


HTH! As everyone will say, it may take awhile to find the "right" therapist, I'm not sure I have yet or ever will!! I guess I don't understand how I will "know" if they fit or not? GOod luck :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 12:05pm
Counseling is never a bad idea. It's always helpful to get another perspective from a non-judgemental source. I think you're going in the right direction, Yavonne. I wish you much success. Everyone gave you great ideas. My counselors were always referred to me from health care professionals who seem to know who's good & who's not. I went frequently when I needed too. Not so frequently when I was coping well. I have had many years that therapy wasn't needed. (((hugs))) jan




 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 10:23pm
Thanks for your detailed response.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 10:27pm
Because of the cost I probably won't start going till I go back to work in November.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 10:29pm
Thanks Karen.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 10:32pm
Thanks, I plan to contact my insurance real soon.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 10:35pm
I agree that sometimes in your life you may need counseling and sometimes not.
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