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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by raisinb on June 3, 2008, at 18:49:36
So, I am still thinking of leaving my therapist. And while I'd like to believe I'm done with therapy in general, I don't know that that's realistic.
But how do I find a new one? I've seen other people who I picked on slim criteria from a list of insurance providers. They weren't so hot.
I can't ask my therapist. If I do decide to leave I can't speak to her again; it would do me in even if I were on a lot more meds. And I'm not real sure I'd trust her recommendation anyway. And I would have to fight tooth and nail to get it in the first place; she would try to convince me to stay and she might succeed, I have little willpower when it comes to her.
I don't even know if I will quit my current one, but I was thinking about how hard it will be to find a new one and wondering if anyone had any wisdom? And--a slim hope, I know--if you live in the Chicago area, any names (besides your own T, of course:)) ?
Posted by Lucie Lu on June 3, 2008, at 20:12:58
In reply to how to get good referrals, posted by raisinb on June 3, 2008, at 18:49:36
There are all sorts of reasons for leaving a T (why does this remind me of a Paul Simon song?). Can you tell her you've gotten a lot from her and maybe it's time to try a different relationship or something like that? Sometimes you've just gained all you can with one T and any experienced T should be OK with that (and if they are disappointed or whatever, their feelings are their responsibility, not yours, right? that's why you write the checks). Could she accept that and help you transition to someone else by giving you a helpful referral?
Posted by Happyflower on June 3, 2008, at 20:33:02
In reply to how to get good referrals, posted by raisinb on June 3, 2008, at 18:49:36
Hey I didn't know you were from Chicago! How about you get on the South Shore all the way to the east and see my T! Plus we could have lunch! only 20 bucks round trip on the South Shore, my T would probably be worth it! lol
Posted by Fallsfall on June 3, 2008, at 21:26:53
In reply to how to get good referrals, posted by raisinb on June 3, 2008, at 18:49:36
Actually, when I left my first therapist she DID suggest my current one. She knew me pretty well, and knew what I needed that she couldn't give me...
If you have a friend who is a therapist, you could ask for suggestions. Your friend will have an idea of what kind of person you are, so they might be able to give you targetted suggestions. Even a friend of a friend could steer you towards the better therapists in the area.
Your physician may have suggestions, too.
Posted by Dinah on June 3, 2008, at 22:42:43
In reply to how to get good referrals, posted by raisinb on June 3, 2008, at 18:49:36
I've gotten good referrals for physicians from other physicians (particularly my ob/gyn). They probably are used to making referrals. I'm not sure if they're as familiar with their therapist referrals as they are with their physician ones.
I got my current therapist and one of my pdocs from those public service seminars that the local hospitals put on from time to time. On anxiety or depression or whatever.
Other than that, I've just cold called from the phone book. I never had tons of luck with it though...
Posted by Phillipa on June 3, 2008, at 23:49:10
In reply to Re: how to get good referrals » raisinb, posted by Dinah on June 3, 2008, at 22:42:43
You can google therapist and your state and city and at least here a lot of them and discriptions of them pop on and you can read about them. Problem is two I had here found this way and don't like them. Only one I clicked with works at the hospital and takes no patients and is new to the area. Tough to find a good therapist. Phillipa
Posted by raisinb on June 4, 2008, at 11:05:27
In reply to Re: how to get good referrals, posted by Lucie Lu on June 3, 2008, at 20:12:58
Yes, fifty ways!
I suppose it might be possible to get a good referral out of her, but we have been around and around about this. She says that with another therapist, these particular issues might not come out, and they'd never get worked through (my response to this is, doesn't that mean they are not all mine, here?) It would be a fight, and I'm not quite emotionally up for that. I'd rather do it without her. It is very, very hard for me to leave, and I might not be able to do it if I were to talk with her again.
Posted by raisinb on June 4, 2008, at 11:06:22
In reply to Re: how to get good referrals » raisinb, posted by Happyflower on June 3, 2008, at 20:33:02
HF, awesome! We definitely should have lunch sometime.
South Shore is kind of far for me (I am in the W burbs), but do you think your T would have good referrals?
Posted by raisinb on June 4, 2008, at 11:12:10
In reply to Re: how to get good referrals » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on June 3, 2008, at 23:49:10
Thanks everyone. I didn't think of asking my physician; that might work.
I have also cold called and googled but it didn't work too well for me, either :)
I wish there were an easier way to do this. Part of the problem is there's a big part of me that doesn't want to leave in the first place, even though another part believes it is the best thing.
Posted by rskontos on June 4, 2008, at 13:00:09
In reply to Re: how to get good referrals, posted by raisinb on June 4, 2008, at 11:12:10
I got one from my neuro. She knew how bad I was, I got some from my reg doc too. I always ask my reg doc for referrals some have been good some bad, think gastro doc he was a bad one. He liked to dx problems just not treat them. Anyway, I found my current from from the list at mennigers that RealMe had. You could ask ole Dr. Bob since he is in the Chicago area too isn't he?
Hehe you might be old and gray and can't walk before he responds. Sorry Dr. Bob but sometimes your turn around time is slow. Sorry if I offended anyone with my comments especially ole Doc Bob.
rsk
Posted by raisinb on June 4, 2008, at 13:18:39
In reply to Re: how to get good referrals » raisinb, posted by rskontos on June 4, 2008, at 13:00:09
Yah, that would be great, rsk, but I am sure it violates some kind of ethical boundary, since Dr. Bob is not supposed to get involved in our personal struggles.
I'm sure he's not offended :)
Posted by rskontos on June 4, 2008, at 21:59:10
In reply to Re: how to get good referrals » rskontos, posted by raisinb on June 4, 2008, at 13:18:39
Oh ethical smithical I say, but I see your point. Good luck with the search.
rsk
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