Archer36 Posted March 5, 2008 Posted March 5, 2008 I spoke with a therapist recently (when my wife said she was willing to go) and she said that if I wanted to turn the session in on my insurance, there would be a need to make a diagnosis. I really felt my wife was the one who was having trouble coping with life and asked that she make a diagnosis, and file, in my wifes name when we went. Now my wife says she will not go. My question is, if I go alone (I need help dealing with our problem for my children's sake), won't I have to be diagnosed with some sort of problem to get insurance to pay? If so will this diagnosis haunt me later on (during divorce for instance)? Thanks for any help.
carhill Posted March 5, 2008 Posted March 5, 2008 If you're worrying about affects on divorce more than efficacy of therapy, IMO you have the wrong motivation. What do you want out of the therapy process? What is it you wish to clarify or change in yourself? IME, the practitioner interviews you and engages you for a session and then forms their own professional opinion and diagnosis. As a patient, I was not involved in that. They take care of insurance requirements. I'm there to get help Trust me, if my wife and I get divorced, a therapy diagnosis will be the least of our issues If your wife will not go, and you can afford it and/or insurance will cover all/portion, and if you feel it will help you, then go. Otherwise, don't go. It only works if you want it to.
Ronni_W Posted March 5, 2008 Posted March 5, 2008 ...therapist...said that if I wanted to turn the session in on my insurance, there would be a need to make a diagnosis. I would check with the insurance company on that. In my experience, some will accept a medical doctor's referral for "stress due to <work> or <marital problems>" (or whatever you're stressed about.) The therapist may be able to bill more for a "diagnostic session" but even if not, therapists are not insurance experts so I wouldn't rely on them for insurance advice. Best of luck.
Author Archer36 Posted March 5, 2008 Author Posted March 5, 2008 carhill, I'm actually going to discuss what I should do about my son of 11 and my wife continually sleeping together every night. I would like to have a professionals opinion about the effects on my boy, and what my options are to try and get him into a "normal" sleep pattern. I really don't have much hope for my marriage, I just want to make sure my son is OK before we try to separate. I just don't want to have some medical history that could be used against me for custody, assets, etc... in the future. Thanks for the reply, you too Ronni_W
carhill Posted March 5, 2008 Posted March 5, 2008 Have you considered have FC (family counseling)? Both parents do not have to be involved. I think it would be worthwhile (I would be interested in hearing from a professional on this) to have your son interviewed. My apologies for not remembering your backstory. I remember it now. IANAL and laws vary by jurisdiction. Our psychologist testifies as an expert witness in court cases so I'm sure he'll have an idea regarding confidentiality. A lawyer would be your best bet on the legal ramifications of therapy.
Author Archer36 Posted March 6, 2008 Author Posted March 6, 2008 No worries carhill, I would have felt the same way given the info in the OP. I'll see if there are any family counselors listed on our insurance site that I can speak with. Most of the conselors in our area specialize in addiction.
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