Psychologists...

[Bowyn Aerrow]

So I am shopping around for a head shrinker, because I need someone to pop open the hood and take a sledge hammer to the workings and see if we can jump start the brain again.

I found this site: http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/?tr=Hdr_Brand and have reduced the longish list to 6 potentials in the local area. I spent the better chunk of yesterday clicking links, visiting their websites, and doing minor Google searches to get more reviews and stuff.

I was wondering if anyone else had the opportunity to shop for a therapist in the 21st century via internet and what tools they used to locate a therapist that worked for them. Hints, suggestions, rude comments - all are welcomed.



BTW this is what I got it down to thus far:


And weeded it down to 5 potentials:
http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rm...3&ttot=280


http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rm...9&ttot=280


http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rm...4&ttot=279


http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rm...9&ttot=279


http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rm...7&ttot=279


And a 6th: http://www.abqmindfultherapy.com/


[url=http://www.abqmindfultherapy.com/][/url]

[East]

Congratulations...I think it is a great step for you to take considering what you have experienced in your life. I think psychic wounds are as serious as physical ones and like any wound or disease gone untreated can and does manifest itself in so many ways...and can cripple us

I think the key is the same as with any relationship...CHEMISTRY. You need to be able to be comfortable enough to open up with that person and to trust that person. I skimmed the choices..they all seem like good ones.

I lucked out...big time. I got a therapist who specifically worked with physical empaths so she could help me with very serious and scary problems specifically related to me and that is VERY IMPORTANT...it is hard enough to get anyone who even understands what it is. She saved my life and gave me excellent tools to save my own ...and I use them to this day. I knew right away when I walked in that she was gonna be the one....I felt it. She had lots of funky art and the room was messy...there were birds flying around and we sat on bean bag chairs on the floor and she wore a Greek Sailor Hat. I was in love....I am instantly drawn to oddball/eccentric people.

Before I found her the ones I visited...EEK! I could have helped them more than they could have helped me. I knew in a few minutes...it was very disappointing....

...and so I think you have found good candidates...now it's time to engage your senses and trust them..find the one whom you feel most comfortable with and who you think will understand your situation...see if you can get an initial meeting with a few of them for a few moments to assess the chemistry....

[SHOman93]

I agree with East.

Go meet these people, even for a few moments. Try to pick their brains if you get a chance. Plus, it's only fair. Why not get to know someone a little bit, and see how they work, before you tell them stuff you'd only tell the Google search bar?

And I don't mean talk to them on the phone. I mean, go MEET them! Haha

Good luck!

[Rareboy]

I am glad to hear that you are looking for some counselling support. It will hopefully ease your mind and free you from the prison of the past.

All I can recommend is that you choose the best homo or homo-friendly psychotherapist that you feel a connection with.

[Virge]

here's a vicarious bit of advice. I asked someone who knows this field to read the profiles.

His first choice
#1 James Daulton. The things Daulton said sound like he's stronger on Cognitive Behavioral therapy than the others. CBT is a form of treatment that focuses on examining the relationships between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. By exploring patterns of thinking that lead to self-destructive actions and the beliefs that direct these thoughts, people with mental illness can modify their patterns of thinking to improve coping. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that is different from traditional psychodynamic psychotherapy in that the therapist and the patient will actively work together to help the patient recover from their mental illness. People who seek CBT can expect their therapist to be problem-focused, and goal-directed in addressing the challenging symptoms of mental illnesses. Because CBT is an active intervention, one can also expect to do homework or practice outside of sessions."

Second choice.
#4 Jon Rabka.

Last choice
#5 Christina Vento. She talks more about meds than helping people overcome problems.

[Curiocity]

I hope you choose the right one! I am so glad you posted this, I am in dire need of a therapist myself and didn't know where to start.

[Bowyn Aerrow]

here's a vicarious bit of advice. I asked someone who knows this field to read the profiles.

His first choice
#1 James Daulton. The things Daulton said sound like he's stronger on Cognitive Behavioral therapy than the others. CBT is a form of treatment that focuses on examining the relationships between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. By exploring patterns of thinking that lead to self-destructive actions and the beliefs that direct these thoughts, people with mental illness can modify their patterns of thinking to improve coping. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that is different from traditional psychodynamic psychotherapy in that the therapist and the patient will actively work together to help the patient recover from their mental illness. People who seek CBT can expect their therapist to be problem-focused, and goal-directed in addressing the challenging symptoms of mental illnesses. Because CBT is an active intervention, one can also expect to do homework or practice outside of sessions."

Second choice.
#4 Jon Rabka.

Last choice
#5 Christina Vento. She talks more about meds than helping people overcome problems.

Christina is on my list because I might actually be at the point where I need a few prescriptions in my life to deal with 'stuff'.

John Daulton will then be at the top of my calling list to see if I can get appointment and arrange something.

[Rareboy]

^ Any of them will prescribe meds, particularly if you have been on them before.