STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

crystal · Kate Spade

how to pick a therapist?

wicked · Coach

I used the yellow pages. We then consulted on the phone and the first session was free just to make sure you feel comfortable with the therapist. I think that's standard practice.

crystal · Kate Spade

consulted on the phone???

i'm at work, i can't talk about why i'm going because everyone will hear! can't i just say "i want to make an appt." and we can talk when i come in? also, is it normal to not be able to get anyone on the phone? i keep getting voicemails telling me to leave my name & number, but i'd rather speak to someone at a time that is convenient for me. thanks wicked!

atlgirl · Gucci

I got the names from my medical plan, even though the plan doesn't cover mental health counseling. (grr)

I went down the list of names and listened to the vm's. I picked the one that sounded nicest and called her. I told her a little about my / our situation and I felt comfortable talking with her, so scheduled an appt.

Unfortunately, this can backfire...in person, while she seemed nice in general and did offer some insights, she was rather...um, *adamant* about one of our situations, and quite insistent that I do something I didn't want to do. So I found someone else. Our first appointment with the new counselor is this week. Fingers are crossed...!

bumblebee · Coach

it's totally normal--you probably won't get anyone on the phone if you are calling a private practice, because they won't usually have a receptionist or anything, just voicemail and then they call you back. i'm going to PM you, crystal.

wicked · Coach

Yeah, I kept getting voicemail (he/she is probably in the middle of a session), but they called me back within an hour.

The therapist will probably want to know the nature of your "problem" just to make sure that their area of specialty matches your needs.

Could you excuse yourself and call outside on a cell phone or maybe wait until you get home and leave a message telling them your "problem" then when they return your call tomorrow at work they'll already have the info they need? A phone consultation should only take a couple minutes btw.

crystal · Kate Spade

thank you all so much for your help! also thank you to those who PM'd me! the support is really encouraging. i think i will call at lunch & leave detailed messages and hopefully if they call back when i'm in the office they won't have to ask me anything else! i guess i can always run off to an empty office if needed. thanks again, i think this is going to change my life... hopefully for the better!