Does anyone on this board see a Psychologist?

[georgejungle]

Does it help? Is it costly? can you just go

for a few sessions?

 

I wouldn't know how to pick one or where

to start But i feel like going to see one, just to

talk some stuff out with a live person. Someone who

could listen and maybe help me out with a few things

swimming around in my head.

[laRubiaBonita]

my company offer fulltime employees services uch as that.... at least with a psycholosist.

 

Also check into group sessions.... or free meetings/ or support groups in the area... (check the paper).

 

psych can be expensive, especially if you get a dud!! see if you can "shop around"

[Tony T]

Does it help? Is it costly? can you just go

for a few sessions?

 

I wouldn't know how to pick one or where

to start But i feel like going to see one, just to

talk some stuff out with a live person. Someone who

could listen and maybe help me out with a few things

swimming around in my head.

 

Going to a GOOD psychologist would be the very best thing you ever did. They're great to talk to, they can give you excellent strategies for correcting the stinking thinking that so many of us suffer from, they can help loosen old pains and hurts that still affect your life and show you how to get rid of them, etc.

 

How long you go is totally up to you. I would say five or six sessions would be ideal, although once you start you may want to continue on past that. If you only want to go once or twice, the therapist will not put a gun to your head to continue.

 

You'll be glad you took this step. Type up a list of things you want to accomplish with the psychologist so he/she can prepare an agenda that fits your budget and time frame.

[GuySimple]

I have to admit that I laughed when I first read this. I expect that many people here are seeing or have seen a psychologist. Or at least they maybe should consider it.

 

Personally speaking I do on an as needed basis sometimes just to talk about something and bounce an idea or a thought around. It helps a lot. I call it my soul massage.

 

The way I look at it is that if my car had a shimmy in the front end I would take it to a garage. If I am not feeling well I would go to a doctor. So if I am not in a good mental state why wouldn't I go see a professional? Sometimes it just feels like a mental tune-up.

 

If your employment does not have a program, check out the yellow pages and look for someone who is a registered physiologist. Maybe even check out their society’s website to get a name in your area. They will give you an idea of how many sessions when you have your first meeting. In my area it runs around $80 an hour but that varies a bit depending on if your medical is paying.

[SoCalCatman72]

I have seen more Psychologists, Psychiatrists and LCSW's than most people I know.......combined.

 

The cost can range from about $100/session to $250/session depending on how many certificates and degrees the counselor has on their wall.

 

Yes, you can see a Psych or shrink on an as needed basis, but be forewarned, many like to try to rope you into a regular monthly or weekly committment. I have always felt this was more for their bank account's benefit than the patient's.

 

Sometimes medical insurance will cover some of it, but generally unless you have a condition that is recognized as a life threatening illness (schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar, etc.) they will not cover the claim.

 

On a lighter note, if you really want a free shrink, call 911 and tell them you are going to start cutting yourself. If you sound really desperate and convincing a nice policeman might give you a ride to the hospital. J/K

 

Best of luck to you.

[basscatcher]

I've utilized counseling. I have seen counselors, psychiatrists and psychologists. They each have different techniques.

 

I found Psychologists to be the most helpful.

 

I have had bad ones and good ones.

 

I tend to find the ones your employer has on their plans (payroll) are company men/women. I have never had any luck with them.. Those Dr's get a paycheck regardless--they dont need clientèle to keep them feed. (IMO)

 

I found by the 3-4 appointment I could generally tell if the therapist would be helpful or beneficial to me and decided then if I was going to find a different one or stay. The best Psychologist I found was at a hospital in the outpatient mental health division. She hard lined me and wouldn't let me get away with lying to myself.. She pushed hard on me to stop cushioning myself and take life by the horns and wrestle with it instead of submitting to it like a beaten down dog..

 

She helped me a lot. She surely didn't handle me with kid gloves and it was amazing. I sideline counseled with my local parish priest in between my appointments so I didn't have to pay so much. ($90 sessions after insurance payment).. The priest was free and trained in counseling. He also was hard on me to stop me from hiding and running.

 

Having someone good to talk too takes time to find. Don't settle with anyone. If you don't feel the Dr understands you and is asking you questions to help you resolve your own issues then move on.. If the Dr tells you what to do then move on also. Having someone tell you what to do stops you from learning how to resolve your own issues. You wont' learn the skills needed for future problems, conflicts or confusions.

 

This is what I've learned..

[Rikka]

I was up to two therapists and 2 group sessions at one point (I have bipolar disorder). I am currently seeing a Psychiatric Nurse as needed and I have my psychiatrist for continual visits. It has been a godsend I must say. Thankfully I live in Canada where we have public health care. Currently it costs me nothing (except prescription costs) for my care.

[PuppyDogEyes]

Does it help? Is it costly? can you just go

for a few sessions?

 

I'm seeing a therapist right now for what most would call 'serious issues', and it has definitely helped, although it's taking me some time (mainly because there are a lot of problems in my case).

 

My medical insurance covers my therapy, luckily, so I don't have that to worry about - but before I found out that it did, I was paying about 150 or so per visit. (I'm very glad I have a decent health plan - most don't cover mental health, and they should.) You can terminate your therapy any time you like without obligation, but most don't because they find it so helpful. Right now I think I'd be completely lost without my counselor.

 

Hope this helped answer your questions some.

 

-pde.

[georgejungle]

thanks for the responses...i was just curious... We're all here

for answers somewhat, so i figured some of us have actually

gone to see psychologists...I may or may not go. I'd just

like to experience it at least once or twice...

[Sideburns]

Thankfully I live in Canada where we have public health care. Currently it costs me nothing (except prescription costs) for my care.

 

I'm curious to know what province are you in cause OHIP (ontario health insurance plan) cut all psychiatric funding and I thought the other provinces followed suit...Unless I'm horribly mistaken

I even have to pay for my visits to the optometrist now

[Sideburns]

LOL, I'm SMRT

 

...I'm gonna take a wild guess and say Sask.

 

...oh mercy.

[Rikka]

I'm in Saskatchewan. All of our services are still pretty much free. I have had to pay "material fees" for a couple of group programs, but those are usually $5-$15.

 

That sucks that they cut services in Ontario. It is such an important service.

[basscatcher]

I decided I need to find myself one NOW..

 

My life and the choices I've made the last 3 months have spun out of my control and I don't know what to do.

I'm becoming self destructive and I can't handle my feelings and my own thoughts anymore.

 

My codependency is in high gear and I'm struggling with it. I've been luring men in and then I catch myself and I take the responsible road and stop it and push them out with honesty about my problems.

 

I need help... I maybe smart and have good understanding but I'm not God and I don't know all the answers.