New insurance next year; considering new therapist.

[Nullo]

It's very hard to find a therapist whose strengths are in conditions like psychosis. Any tips on how I might find the right one? I have not personally had much improvement with ACT/DBT/CBT, and i have tried. Would a peer support specialist of some kind be better than a pro?

Edited November 13, 2018 by Nullo

[Iceberg]

Referral from pdoc? 

[Nullo]

maybe i should have been more precise in my initial post. firstly i don't have a pdoc per se, i have a pa who confers with other doctors in the practice at times. second, the practice where he works and where they offer outpatient therapy, focuses very heavily on CBT/DBT/ACT, like most other places. I will try to ask him but i have doubts that he'll have many worthwhile recommendations. I specifically have in mind alternative/unorthodox approaches to the treatment of psychosis, I've decided to call various hospitals in the downtown area but so far not much luck. I wonder if there are other avenues that i'm not pursuing.

Edited November 14, 2018 by Nullo

[CrazyRedhead]

43 minutes ago, Nullo said:

 I specifically have in mind alternative/unorthodox approaches to the treatment of psychosis, I've decided to call various hospitals in the downtown area but so far not much luck. I wonder if there are other avenues that i'm not pursuing.

Here's a link from Psychology Today that could help you find a therapist in your area ,who specializes in psychosis.

Just put in your zip code in the search bar and it will pull up names of the therapists.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/psychosis

Edited November 14, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[Nullo]

I have been trying psychology today and so far have not had any luck finding one who seems a good fit. If only there were a way to filter results by speciality. But thanks for your help regardless

Edited November 14, 2018 by Nullo

[Blahblah]

@Nullo Many docs just want to throw meds at psychosis until symptoms diminish (particularly if an acute episode). Sounds like in your case the psychosis is chronic or recurrent? For talk therapy, you'll need someone that really understands psychosis. May I ask, what alternative approaches to treating psychosis have you found?

[Geek]

Don’t be afraid to ask your PA for a referral, even if it’s not required by your insurance. Referrals like this are literally part of their job, especially if they’re a primary care practitioner.

Is there a university near you with a counseling or medical program? They might have resources to refer you to. 

Otherwise, I would call behavioral health programs and psych wards/hospitals.

Maybe NAMI or another mental health nonprofit in your area might know? Heck, you could try shelters and groups that work with the homeless, to just get a foot in the door or other ideas about where to try (since psychosis is disproportionately an issue in the homeless population).

[Nullo]

BlahBlah: It is chronic and recurrent, i've had episodes over the past 10+ years and numerous hospitalizations. only recently have i finally attained what i would actually call stability. I have not found anything specific in the way of alternative approaches, but it seems to me that somatic psychotherapy would be really helpful, I found several sources online suggesting somatic therapy to be helpful for psychotic depression, as well as other disorders. but what precisely is meant by "somatic therapy" i've yet to find out.

Geek: I  found a clinic downtown that specializes in psychosis and have tried calling and emailing to speak to one of the therapists and to get a referral for someone closer where i live. so far no response. i'll give it a few more days before trying again or trying something else.

edit: I just found an organization called "international society for psychological and social approaches to psychosis- ISPS." There's a therapist directory -seems promising, aside from the emphasis on CBT. Will do further research, but thought id post in case this source is potentially helpful to other users.

https://www.isps-us.org/index.php

Edited November 14, 2018 by Nullo