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.
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.)
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 :)
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
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.
For my 1st couple of therapists, I found them through an anxiety board online
Sheri Ann
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
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 :)