Therapy Concern?

I attended therapy in Charlotte, N.C. and worked with a psychiatrist as well as a psychologist that I was really fond of, but unfortunetly the psychiatrist actually accepted a position in AZ, while my psychologist went into private practice, which made it impossible for me to afford to continue seeing him as I was meeting with the psychologist in a hospital that offered a sliding-scale fee. Since then, I have returned home to N.Y. and have found a facility that accepts my Medicaid, but they offer mostly Nurse Practitioners and Social Workers in lieu of Psychiatrists and Psychologists. I know that they are intelligent people and I respect what they have accomplished, but I am concerned that perhaps they would be less able to help me than soeone who is a bit more qualified. I actually recall my psychiatrist saying my situation would be too much for a social worker as I'm going through several different issues. I'm just wondering if Nurse Practioners and Social Workers are good

substitutions to Psychiatrists andPsychologists essentially.

Good News! The discipline of your therapist doesn't matter. The research in this area has shown no difference in effectiveness between the various disciplines in Psychology. So LCSW, Psychologist, NP, MFT, Psychiatrist, MFCC, etc can be equally effective. (In fact, even lay people in some studies do pretty well).
What does seem to make a difference is a good Client- Therapist match. It's called therapeutic alliance, in fancy terms, but here is the gist of it: Find someone you like, find someone you trust, and if that person offers you something your own social networks can't provide - then you are in good shape.
Drop me an email if you want details on the above. Good luck.

NPs are AWESOME. They know as much as a doctor does and have had lots of training and preparation. Don't be afraid to give them a try!!! Good luck! :)

Quick response. To help someone isn't necessarily a college degree needed vocation. you could go to a very professional person and spend 1000s on therapy and learn the medical terminology for your case and they will help you the way that people have been successfully helped for years. they work on Statistics. You are not a person to them you are a number. Mathematically in their head not personally. Go to who makes you feel good about yourself. Friends are the best Shrinks the ones that will help you through anything and they care. Social workers and NP's can be very bright people that chose that job to help people. I would say go to a friend first, if you can't talk to them go to a Social Worker if they can't help then go to professionals,

The first therapist I ever saw was a social worker, and I loved her. Just so you get an idea of how much she helped me, before I started seeing her I was a solid C student. During the semester when I started seeing her she helped me a lot with many issues. That semester I had achieved a GPA of 3.65 out of 4, and this brought my GPA to a college career total of 3.05. I was able to get straight A's for the first time in my life, well except for the B+, but I cannot complain. I could not continue seeing her because she was employed by my university and she was only available on a short term basis. After that I began seeing another LCSW (Licenced Clinical Social Worker), and a psychiatrist for medication management. Each one of these therapists are more than competent to handle the many issues that I am dealing with. My psychiatrist seems to know more about all things psychological, but I think that is because she seems to use the terminology to help explain what is going on. I don't feel as close to her as I do to the others though. My first therapist was awsome in so many ways, and I wish I could have continued with her, but I understood that I could not. My current therapist is very good at her job, and it just took some time to get used to her different style of therapy because of the transition from old to new. I like them all, but if I were to rate them, my psychiatrist would be at the bottom. I really like her, but I feel more of a connection with the others, and that is important. I did have another social worker immediatly after my first, and that was a huge mess. There was no connection there at all. I felt very connected with my first therapist probably because she was my first, but the two others I am with the connection is there, but more with the LCSW. I think that it has less to do with what your therapists educational background is, and more with how that person makes you feel and how they are able to help you when you are with them. You also have to realize that your first therapist can be special because that person is your first. You will compare all other therapists to that person, or at least that is what happened with me. You just have to give the others that follow a chance to help you

I hope this helps.

Psychiatrists like to say that even though most of them just focus on medications. I am not fond of nurse practitioners. A stine in psychiatry round does not really impress me. Licensed social workers at least have proven they have learned something

You don't have to be a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist or help someone. Nurse Practitioners and Social Workers can do just as good a job if not better. You'll find a good one that will help. Might take a few, but it'll happen.

I think it really depends on the depth of your problems.

I have seen many psychiatrists that were complete jerks and some that were great. The same for Psychologists and LCSW'S.

The field of psychiatry took a turn that made Psychiatrists want to do away with Psychologists and thus the use of Licensed Clinical Social Workers became more prevalent. This is also due to the HMO system and what they are willing to pay out. Regardless, you will need to see a Psychiatrists if you need medicating.

By the way, the LCSW I saw was on the top of the list with a couple Psychologists that I hold in very high regard. My problems are ongoing and a life thing so I won't get away from them any time soon. I suggest you shop around until you find someone that is helping you to help yourself.

If you are dealing with some serious psychological problems, i believe that HMO or low income or not, they will find the need to get you with a psychiatrist for the big stuff.

I wish you well...don't give up trying...you are worth the effort.

Love and prayers from a stranger who cares and has been there....

I would not go to a Nurse Practioners or Social Workers , or even LCPC myself (well, it maybe because I think i'm better than them.... laugh....joking). If you are a person that is very sensitive and high awareness of self and the surroundings, I don't believe a Nurse Practioners or Social Workers would be a better help than yourself. They might be supportive enough to help you make your own decision in the end....I don't know... If you can afford, I suggest you to see a psychologist who has at least 10 years of hands on patient experience.

I think these people are good for what they do. But if you are looking for affordable mental health help. The goverment gives grants to states so that they can have a community service board in every county of every state. These community boards are to provide access to psychiatrist and therapist on a sliding scale basis as well. They also are to help set you up on medicine programs that the drug companies make available to people with low income. Good Luck!

Go to a Psychiatric Hospital or a teaching Hospital with a Psych unit. Ask them to take your case. There are plenty of teaching hospitals in NY that take Medicaid.

u not at all need to worrie u can approach any1 in ur case even a friend mite help u never friends understand ur problem better and they give out better results u dont need to worrie about who the therapist is