Help finding help

[chriswalkendead]

I am looking for advice on whether to talk to a professional or not.

I have tried to talk to someone 3 times in the past. The first time I went to a drop-in counselling and saw a student counsellor. He ended up talking about himself for almost the entire session and I never went back. The second time I saw a psychiatrist. The first thing he said when he walked into the room was, "I am not here to be your friend." I felt totally deflated and never said a word. I left feeling worse than when I went in. The last time I saw a psychologist. But after 2 sessions I ran out of money. She did not offer other resources or even say goodbye.

My experience trying to open up to someone has been totally negative and I cant see any reason for trying a 4th time.

Any advice?

[Nothing_but_books]

I've had many bad experiences with therapists, and a horrendous one with a psychiatrist. I had admitted myself to a hospital needing help, and she kicked me out, saying I wasn't going to fool her by "faking" that I had problems.

My conclusion is that these are people like the rest of us, some really bad apples in there. When we reach out for help, it's really disheartening to have things go badly. But it's like needing any other professional, I think. You keep trying, hoping for a connection.

healthline.com/health/signs....

[Raggedy-Ann]

I suggest you find a list of providers that accept your insurance, hummm Canada.....isn't healthcare free? I don't know but keep trying. I have been through a lot of people to find the ones that I click with. Start by interviewing new people, ask them about themselves, styles of therapy, it is really to see if you feel safe and comfortable to discuss your personal stuff. If it is a no, it's okay to excuse yourself and this is not working for me. Good luck.

[JulBean]

Hi ya!

Fellow 55yo Canadian here!

I’m not sure where you are in Canada, but I am in Ontario. I have just completed the intake process for the BounceBack program. I don’t know if something similar exists in all provinces, but I think that I did come across something in BC in my own search for help.

bouncebackontario.ca

I have a very similar situation - therapy has not been successful for me so far. But I think that I have been seeing the wrong sort of therapists. My intake with this program was actually really good and very validating.

I agree - the walk-in programs are not for people with chronic MDD. They are more for people who are dealing with a single acute issue.

I have seen two psychiatrists in my life. Basically their job is diagnostic, not therapeutic. They are medical doctors and don’t seem to have the time to “listen”.

I have also seen marriage and family therapists (with my abusive ex husband) who were easily swayed to tell me that I was “over reacting” and not accepting “normal” situations. My ex was violent and we went because I insisted on counseling to deal with his anger. It got twisted into me being the “crazy” one who blew things out of proportion (he put fists through the doors and walls and smashed glass and pinned people to the wall and floor and wrenched arms and threw dishes and had terrifying road rage… and, and, and..) when they were just him “venting” at the end of a hard day. “No one will believe you”, he said. And he was right. Until our kids got old enough to share the same stories…

But I am rambling…