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MichLiz213
Life is Good!
Member since 7/07 7979 total posts
Name:
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Mental Health Vent
One of my new year’s resolutions is to get my anxiety under control and go see a therapist. I have decent insurance. Made sure the therapist was accepting new patients. Called one and left a message, no response. Called another, got a call back, asked what my insurance was, then all of a sudden she wasn’t accepting new patients. Even though the insurance website says she is.
So now I’m at the point where why am I bothering to go down the list? What if I don’t gel with this person? Maybe this is why people are reluctant to get help.
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Posted 1/3/19 12:16 PM  |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19461 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Well, it is a new year. So maybe they took the insurance last year, but not this year. You need to call around. Two people is not enough calls. Go into your provider website and see who is currently taking your insurance. Then call from that list.
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| Posted 1/3/19 12:30 PM |
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Bonsai
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/18 463 total posts
Name:
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Mental Health Vent
That happened to me. I was able to find a therapy office that is on zocdoc so I was able to make an appt online as they were accepting new patients and have available openings. I got nowhere calling either. So frustrating.
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| Posted 1/3/19 12:57 PM |
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thewinterone
You make me happy
Member since 5/05 2474 total posts
Name:
cause you are gray.
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Try zocdoc.
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| Posted 1/3/19 1:08 PM |
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MarathonKnitter
HAPPY
Member since 2/07 17374 total posts
Name:
EMBRACING CHANGE
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Mental Health Vent
don't give up looking for someone!
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| Posted 1/3/19 1:11 PM |
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ANewDayHasCome
Love multiplies, not divides
Member since 11/12 14481 total posts
Name:
Me
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Mental Health Vent
I have anxiety too and it’s hard to find a good therapist, but worth it! Don’t give up. I’ve seen a few. A lot of them only once to know they weren’t a good match for me. It’s also frustrating when you’re trying to better yourself and nobody (or it feels like it) wants to help. In one on my searches only a handful of the calls I did even called me back.
Keep trying. It will work out. Hugs!
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| Posted 1/3/19 1:39 PM |
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mrsrainbow
LIF Adult
Member since 1/17 1465 total posts
Name:
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Mental Health Vent
What kind of therapist are you looking for? I see a LCSW as opposed to a psychiatrist or psychologist.
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| Posted 1/3/19 1:39 PM |
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Jacquelina
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/11 767 total posts
Name:
Jacqueline
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Dont give up, you need to do it for yourself - I finally decided to get control of my anxiety as well (after also venting on these boards) and I am so glad I did. I found someone through a friend of a friend and she has been great to talk to. I also started Lexapro (reluctantly) but its helped. I am not feeling 100% just yet but much better than where I was.
Keep at it and you will find someone. I ended up with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. You need to do it for yourself. Dont let it take you.
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| Posted 1/3/19 1:47 PM |
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!
Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mental Health Vent
No personal experience, but I've heard this is very common. Call and call and call until you find someone who calls you back. YOU'RE WORTH IT.
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| Posted 1/3/19 2:48 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Mental Health Vent
I found one that did not accept my insurance but worked with me one what I paid. A good therapist is worth their weight in gold imo!!!
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| Posted 1/3/19 6:16 PM |
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Mental Health Vent
What is your insurance and where are you located? I work in psychiatry and work with multiple LMSW/ LMHC, and psychologists, the outpatient clinic at stony brook also takes patients if you are close by
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| Posted 1/3/19 6:30 PM |
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MichLiz213
Life is Good!
Member since 7/07 7979 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Posted by LSP2005
Well, it is a new year. So maybe they took the insurance last year, but not this year. You need to call around. Two people is not enough calls. Go into your provider website and see who is currently taking your insurance. Then call from that list.
I should have said in the OP, this was based on information I got off of my insurance website yesterday. Which made it frustrating because I thought I crossed that hurdle of finding someone who accepted my insurance and was accepting new patients.
Message edited 1/3/2019 6:36:46 PM.
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| Posted 1/3/19 6:35 PM |
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MichLiz213
Life is Good!
Member since 7/07 7979 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Posted by TwinMommyToBoys
What is your insurance and where are you located? I work in psychiatry and work with multiple LMSW/ LMHC, and psychologists, the outpatient clinic at stony brook also takes patients if you are close by
United. I’m not near Stony Brook unfortunately. South Shore Suffolk.
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| Posted 1/3/19 6:35 PM |
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Mrs213
????????
Member since 2/09 18986 total posts
Name:
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Mental Health Vent
Unfortunately many places have very long wait lists. Sometimes 6 months. Sad to say but you are better off checking yourself into CPEP. You will get a follow up appointment with a provider when you leave the hospital
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| Posted 1/3/19 8:10 PM |
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kmr6107
LIF Toddler
Member since 7/07 463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mental Health Vent
I have just gone through the same thing. I probably called 10 therapists before i actually got someone that answered the phone. It is an awful shame. People are calling for help and people can't even give a call back. Its disgusting. Keep trying. I have my first appointment on Monday.
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| Posted 1/3/19 9:34 PM |
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SLPRunner
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1101 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Posted by Jacquelina
Dont give up, you need to do it for yourself - I finally decided to get control of my anxiety as well (after also venting on these boards) and I am so glad I did. I found someone through a friend of a friend and she has been great to talk to. I also started Lexapro (reluctantly) but its helped. I am not feeling 100% just yet but much better than where I was.
Keep at it and you will find someone. I ended up with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. You need to do it for yourself. Dont let it take you.
I also started Lexapro recently and started with a NP. I was super reluctant to start meds for a while, but I am glad that I did.
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| Posted 1/4/19 7:10 AM |
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mrsrainbow
LIF Adult
Member since 1/17 1465 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Posted by SLPRunner
Posted by Jacquelina
Dont give up, you need to do it for yourself - I finally decided to get control of my anxiety as well (after also venting on these boards) and I am so glad I did. I found someone through a friend of a friend and she has been great to talk to. I also started Lexapro (reluctantly) but its helped. I am not feeling 100% just yet but much better than where I was.
Keep at it and you will find someone. I ended up with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. You need to do it for yourself. Dont let it take you.
I also started Lexapro recently and started with a NP. I was super reluctant to start meds for a while, but I am glad that I did.
I don't understand the stigma with medication.
It helps. It's amazing. It gave me my life back. Why doesn't anyone want the same if they've been suffering? Therapy alone cannot and will not do it for me, my diagnoses are severe and debilitating and medication has been the #1 reason why I'm still standing here. You need to find the right doctor and find the right medication, but just the same was you would take medication and seek treatment for any other illness or life-threatening sickness, it boggles me that people won't do the same for their mental health.
(this is in no a way a judgement, I support every person's choice to medicate or not, but I also think if people really and truly need/want help they may need to consider it. There are many meds out there and low, therapeutic doses can do wonders)
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| Posted 1/4/19 8:29 AM |
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Posted by MichLiz213
Posted by TwinMommyToBoys
What is your insurance and where are you located? I work in psychiatry and work with multiple LMSW/ LMHC, and psychologists, the outpatient clinic at stony brook also takes patients if you are close by
United. I’m not near Stony Brook unfortunately. South Shore Suffolk.
I’ll see if any of my colleagues are in the area and get the info for you. We all work at stony Brook in psych but many see private clients
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| Posted 1/4/19 1:41 PM |
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Jacquelina
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/11 767 total posts
Name:
Jacqueline
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Posted by mrsrainbow
Posted by SLPRunner
Posted by Jacquelina
Dont give up, you need to do it for yourself - I finally decided to get control of my anxiety as well (after also venting on these boards) and I am so glad I did. I found someone through a friend of a friend and she has been great to talk to. I also started Lexapro (reluctantly) but its helped. I am not feeling 100% just yet but much better than where I was.
Keep at it and you will find someone. I ended up with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. You need to do it for yourself. Dont let it take you.
I also started Lexapro recently and started with a NP. I was super reluctant to start meds for a while, but I am glad that I did.
I don't understand the stigma with medication.
It helps. It's amazing. It gave me my life back. Why doesn't anyone want the same if they've been suffering? Therapy alone cannot and will not do it for me, my diagnoses are severe and debilitating and medication has been the #1 reason why I'm still standing here. You need to find the right doctor and find the right medication, but just the same was you would take medication and seek treatment for any other illness or life-threatening sickness, it boggles me that people won't do the same for their mental health.
(this is in no a way a judgement, I support every person's choice to medicate or not, but I also think if people really and truly need/want help they may need to consider it. There are many meds out there and low, therapeutic doses can do wonders)
For me it wasn't really a stigma...just suffering from chronic anxiety, I would have anxiety about taking a medication, you know? Because I had never taken anything regularly, aside from BC, that I was worried I would experience side effects, maybe feel worse, not feel like myself even more so...so it really wasnt about "being a person that takes a medication" because I honestly never care about what people think and not that anyone would have to know anyway...I was just afraid of any side effects i could have.
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| Posted 1/4/19 1:59 PM |
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pnbplus1
Family
Member since 5/09 5751 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Mental Health Vent
I'm sorry that you haven't been able to find someone to help and that getting call backs has been difficult.
I'm going to chime in from the provider side. Many psychologists/LCSW's, etc do not take insurance because of low reimbursement rates. Because of this, the providers that do take insurance get even more calls than private pay clinicians. Many of those clinicians do not work as part of a larger group practice so any calls, messages, payments, insurance calls, receipts they have to handle on their own as they don't have an office manager or admin (especially with low reimbursment from insurance, they don't make enough to do so.) So call backs, etc happen during blocks of time when a clinician isn't seeing someone (blocks of time reserved for this during which no money is being earned bc there is no salary, you get paid when you see someone). Many times you'll call someone back and get VM bc they don't recognize the number and don't answer so you play phone tag. Other times, you work with someone on scheduling and move things around to accommodate someone bc they really need to be seen but the day before the appointment, they cancel bc their crisis is over so they don't need therapy anymore and all the time on calls was wasted and took time away from someone else.
It really is very unfortunate that it is difficult for people to get the appointments they need, not only in terms of mental health, in general. My dad developed a serious condition (dx by ER) that if left untreated could lead to permanent blindness and when I called rheumatologists to get him an appointment, the earliest available was January and this was in AUGUST! So they answered my call but I still couldn't get anywhere. His primary doctor finally called his MD friend and got my dad the apptmt within the week.
I've been in the situation where people would call and leave messages (if you're in session and have no admin, people have to leave messages, that's why you'll rarely have someone answer the phone) and it would take days before I could get back to everyone because of my caseload.
I've been on both sides and it's very frustrating. I know my response doesn't excuse or make things better, just trying to shed light on the other side. I hope that you find someone and can get in to see them.
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| Posted 1/4/19 2:07 PM |
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mrsrainbow
LIF Adult
Member since 1/17 1465 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Posted by Jacquelina
Posted by mrsrainbow
Posted by SLPRunner
Posted by Jacquelina
Dont give up, you need to do it for yourself - I finally decided to get control of my anxiety as well (after also venting on these boards) and I am so glad I did. I found someone through a friend of a friend and she has been great to talk to. I also started Lexapro (reluctantly) but its helped. I am not feeling 100% just yet but much better than where I was.
Keep at it and you will find someone. I ended up with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. You need to do it for yourself. Dont let it take you.
I also started Lexapro recently and started with a NP. I was super reluctant to start meds for a while, but I am glad that I did.
I don't understand the stigma with medication.
It helps. It's amazing. It gave me my life back. Why doesn't anyone want the same if they've been suffering? Therapy alone cannot and will not do it for me, my diagnoses are severe and debilitating and medication has been the #1 reason why I'm still standing here. You need to find the right doctor and find the right medication, but just the same was you would take medication and seek treatment for any other illness or life-threatening sickness, it boggles me that people won't do the same for their mental health.
(this is in no a way a judgement, I support every person's choice to medicate or not, but I also think if people really and truly need/want help they may need to consider it. There are many meds out there and low, therapeutic doses can do wonders)
For me it wasn't really a stigma...just suffering from chronic anxiety, I would have anxiety about taking a medication, you know? Because I had never taken anything regularly, aside from BC, that I was worried I would experience side effects, maybe feel worse, not feel like myself even more so...so it really wasnt about "being a person that takes a medication" because I honestly never care about what people think and not that anyone would have to know anyway...I was just afraid of any side effects i could have.
I understand, the potential side effects are worrisome. Luckily the doctors typically have a medication protocol they follow as to which meds and doses have minimal effect and then they work from there.
I definitely get effects if I miss doses but the trade-off is that I'm still alive  I can't overestimate how important mental health is and how underserved it is in our country and the lack of support we have 
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| Posted 1/4/19 3:40 PM |
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SLPRunner
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1101 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Posted by Jacquelina
Posted by mrsrainbow
Posted by SLPRunner
Posted by Jacquelina
Dont give up, you need to do it for yourself - I finally decided to get control of my anxiety as well (after also venting on these boards) and I am so glad I did. I found someone through a friend of a friend and she has been great to talk to. I also started Lexapro (reluctantly) but its helped. I am not feeling 100% just yet but much better than where I was.
Keep at it and you will find someone. I ended up with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. You need to do it for yourself. Dont let it take you.
I also started Lexapro recently and started with a NP. I was super reluctant to start meds for a while, but I am glad that I did.
I don't understand the stigma with medication.
It helps. It's amazing. It gave me my life back. Why doesn't anyone want the same if they've been suffering? Therapy alone cannot and will not do it for me, my diagnoses are severe and debilitating and medication has been the #1 reason why I'm still standing here. You need to find the right doctor and find the right medication, but just the same was you would take medication and seek treatment for any other illness or life-threatening sickness, it boggles me that people won't do the same for their mental health.
(this is in no a way a judgement, I support every person's choice to medicate or not, but I also think if people really and truly need/want help they may need to consider it. There are many meds out there and low, therapeutic doses can do wonders)
For me it wasn't really a stigma...just suffering from chronic anxiety, I would have anxiety about taking a medication, you know? Because I had never taken anything regularly, aside from BC, that I was worried I would experience side effects, maybe feel worse, not feel like myself even more so...so it really wasnt about "being a person that takes a medication" because I honestly never care about what people think and not that anyone would have to know anyway...I was just afraid of any side effects i could have.
I agree. I didn't feel like it was a stigma. But I was afraid of how I'd feel on them. I had anxiety over the decision. But I also realized I was depressed. Until I finally realized things never really got better, even with going to therapy, and I decided that I wanted to do whatever I could to get better. My therapist helped me see that I was having cognitive effects related to depression such as poor memory and difficulty concentrating. I feel different now, but I feel like I how I always wished I could have felt.
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| Posted 1/4/19 4:37 PM |
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kmr6107
LIF Toddler
Member since 7/07 463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Posted by pnbplus1
I'm sorry that you haven't been able to find someone to help and that getting call backs has been difficult.
I'm going to chime in from the provider side. Many psychologists/LCSW's, etc do not take insurance because of low reimbursement rates. Because of this, the providers that do take insurance get even more calls than private pay clinicians. Many of those clinicians do not work as part of a larger group practice so any calls, messages, payments, insurance calls, receipts they have to handle on their own as they don't have an office manager or admin (especially with low reimbursment from insurance, they don't make enough to do so.) So call backs, etc happen during blocks of time when a clinician isn't seeing someone (blocks of time reserved for this during which no money is being earned bc there is no salary, you get paid when you see someone). Many times you'll call someone back and get VM bc they don't recognize the number and don't answer so you play phone tag. Other times, you work with someone on scheduling and move things around to accommodate someone bc they really need to be seen but the day before the appointment, they cancel bc their crisis is over so they don't need therapy anymore and all the time on calls was wasted and took time away from someone else.
It really is very unfortunate that it is difficult for people to get the appointments they need, not only in terms of mental health, in general. My dad developed a serious condition (dx by ER) that if left untreated could lead to permanent blindness and when I called rheumatologists to get him an appointment, the earliest available was January and this was in AUGUST! So they answered my call but I still couldn't get anywhere. His primary doctor finally called his MD friend and got my dad the apptmt within the week.
I've been in the situation where people would call and leave messages (if you're in session and have no admin, people have to leave messages, that's why you'll rarely have someone answer the phone) and it would take days before I could get back to everyone because of my caseload.
I've been on both sides and it's very frustrating. I know my response doesn't excuse or make things better, just trying to shed light on the other side. I hope that you find someone and can get in to see them.
I can totally understand it taking a day or two, three to get back to someone. It has been weeks since I have called and never got a response. A simple message on voicemail saying dr is accepting new patients is an easy solution.
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| Posted 1/4/19 8:03 PM |
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Chai77
Brighter days ahead
Member since 4/07 7364 total posts
Name:
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Re: Mental Health Vent
Posted by pnbplus1
I'm sorry that you haven't been able to find someone to help and that getting call backs has been difficult.
I'm going to chime in from the provider side. Many psychologists/LCSW's, etc do not take insurance because of low reimbursement rates. Because of this, the providers that do take insurance get even more calls than private pay clinicians. Many of those clinicians do not work as part of a larger group practice so any calls, messages, payments, insurance calls, receipts they have to handle on their own as they don't have an office manager or admin (especially with low reimbursment from insurance, they don't make enough to do so.) So call backs, etc happen during blocks of time when a clinician isn't seeing someone (blocks of time reserved for this during which no money is being earned bc there is no salary, you get paid when you see someone). Many times you'll call someone back and get VM bc they don't recognize the number and don't answer so you play phone tag. Other times, you work with someone on scheduling and move things around to accommodate someone bc they really need to be seen but the day before the appointment, they cancel bc their crisis is over so they don't need therapy anymore and all the time on calls was wasted and took time away from someone else.
It really is very unfortunate that it is difficult for people to get the appointments they need, not only in terms of mental health, in general. My dad developed a serious condition (dx by ER) that if left untreated could lead to permanent blindness and when I called rheumatologists to get him an appointment, the earliest available was January and this was in AUGUST! So they answered my call but I still couldn't get anywhere. His primary doctor finally called his MD friend and got my dad the apptmt within the week.
I've been in the situation where people would call and leave messages (if you're in session and have no admin, people have to leave messages, that's why you'll rarely have someone answer the phone) and it would take days before I could get back to everyone because of my caseload.
I've been on both sides and it's very frustrating. I know my response doesn't excuse or make things better, just trying to shed light on the other side. I hope that you find someone and can get in to see them.
Yes. All of this is so true. It is an unfortunate system for all. So many of us who take insurance are completely overwhelmed and are under-reimbursed IMO. I am sorry for your experience, but definitely keep trying.
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| Posted 1/4/19 11:16 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Mental Health Vent
Welcome to my hell. It is very sad that people can not get into doctors when they need too. I desperately need a Psychiatrist for my daughter and there are none to be found, unless I wait months and months. I am even willing to pay out of pocket. It is very disheartening and what I get from all the offices when I complain is that I should just take her to the ER if she has that much of a need. Mental health is seriously lacking and really needs to be addressed.
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| Posted 1/4/19 11:26 PM |
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