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Should I change therapists

JJ1Casual Contributor29 Apr 2023, 11:01 pm AEST

Should I change therapists

Current therapist

pros:

- is supportive, we get on great

- makes herself available to me even outside of sessions

- safe person

cons:

- works far away and I don’t drive so I’ve only seen her face to face twice (we’ve been doing zoom for almost a year

- expensive (half of my pay)

- don’t feel like we have any direction or that there has been any improvement in the last year

- don’t feel like zoom is the same as face to face

new therapist;

pros:

- affordable 1/2 the price of current psychologist

- local (can see face to face)

cons:

unsure as I don’t have my first appointment with her till June

Im scared to leave my current psychologist because she’s been amazing to me but I feel like I need more intensive therapy (maybe 2 times a week) and like I want to see someone face to face. Im also scared because I’ve had bad experiences in the past with psychologists, I also don’t want to hurt her feelings.

4 replies

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In response to: Should I change therapists

NatureLoverSenior Contributor30 Apr 2023, 6:41 am AEST

Re: Should I change therapists

Welcome, @JJ1 ! 🙂

Could you maybe afford to see both of them for a little while, to see? Or postpone a couple of sessions with your current therapist but don't leave yet, while you see the new one?

An important forum tip is if you type @ and then click on a name in the drop-down box, that person will get a notification and won't miss your reply.

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In response to: Should I change therapists

ClockFaceSenior Contributor30 Apr 2023, 10:09 am AEST

Re: Should I change therapists

@JJ1

It would cost too much to see both for a bit.

Heres the things

If you prefer face to face then thats the way to go

As wonderful as she/he may be if there has been no growth over the past year are you getting your monies worth?

Are you seeing the right type of psychologist for what you are wanting treated, should you be seeing a CBT or DBT etc psychologist. Talk therapy has its place but I have been left feeling like Im paying for a friend not a therapist.

The price difference is huge but again its the type of psychologist being seen even normal vs clinical can make big difference in price. You may be seeing a clinical one and that might not be needed.

It really comes down to you and what your able to afford/desire in a psychologist but they would be my thoughts I hope it helps.

In response to: Should I change therapists

BowSenior Contributor30 Apr 2023, 6:57 pm AEST

Re: Should I change therapists

Hey @JJ1 its really hard to find a psychologist that ticks all the boxes isn’t it?!??

it’s great that you have put together a pro and cons list and you know exactly what you are looking for. It’s important that we feel like we are getting somewhere so with our therapy.

what other supports do you have??? Twice weekly appointments would be pretty intensive and I’d imagine it would be difficult to find a psychologist that would have that availability. I had an amazing psychologist through community mental health. I seen her weekly. And she ticked all the boxes for me. But then she took on a different roll and I was given a new psychologist who can only see my fortnightly.

I find face to face very valuable. It’s a must for me. I have a great eating disorder dietitian who I have been seeing for a couple of years and this year she moved to Telehealth only. I hate it. But I preserve cause she is so good and I have a lot of other face to face support.

If you’re looking for twice weekly, have you asked if this new one is available that much?
I wouldn’t worry about hurting her feelings either. It would happen a lot throughout their career.

In response to: Should I change therapists

GlistenSenior Contributor08 Sept 2023, 10:58 am AEST

Re: Should I change therapists

Hi @JJ1 Your post was 5 months ago, I was wondering how you are making progress with the therapist financial feasibility?

Monday 11/09 I have my first appointment at UQ With You at University of Queensland via Zoom. It is no-cost short term counselling. The link is below.

https://nmsw.uq.edu.au/connect/uq-with-you

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