I need to vent/psych question

[KarenSt 35]

Duuuude......that kind of sounds discriminatory. WTF? I'm sorry you had that experience, but then again, maybe it is for the best that he cut you loose, so to speak.

Yeah, I was a little shocked. I went to a guy that was an hour from home in a small rural NC tone because he was in-network for my insurance so I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised. At least he cut me loose rather than try to convert me or tell me I am headed to hell. I have to be grateful for that

[VioletAura 8]

Here is the psychologist I used. She is very WLS friendly and informed... plus she understands that stress, depression, anxiety can be a part of being obese. I was nervous because I have some history with these issues, but I passed just fine.

She sees people online and/or in her office in Bakersfield and she is licensed for the state (maybe more??) The cost is around $250 for the completed pysch clearance. She has you take some tests and talks to you, it takes about 90 mins and my report was done and to my surgeon within a week.

So if anyone needs a psych clearance and wants someone who understands, then she might be an option.

http://www.drlauriekoenigonlinepsychologist.com/index.html

[LynnRinKY 15]

I promised myself I wouldn't respond but...oops. I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (and Professor) who works with active duty service members. I just wanted to address several concerns.

First, there is a HUGE difference in degrees and their associated qualifications. Do your research.

Second, it is unethical to refuse to see someone for being atheist and if that person is actually licensed in psychology, social work or counseling, I would personally contact their state board.

Third, there are no national standards in our field for pre-WLS evaluations. It is generally left up to each individual person what they do, within reason. Certain questions have to be answered for insurance companies and surgeons. So, when having one done, refer back to my first point

Fourth, if therapy is recommended, remember my first point as well as the fact that every practioner has their own style. Consider finding a therapist like finding a new sofa...you want to find one that you are comfortable with- one that seems to match your personality style and the way you like to do things. If you hate worksheets and homework, you should not see someone who considers themselves cognitive - behavioral. It's ok to 'try one out'. Any good one should expect that and agree that a preliminary 2 or 3 sessions to see if you mesh.

Fifth (and then I'll shut up), be extra careful with online therapy. Do extra homework. It's very controversial in our field and there are not many ethical guidelines covering it. There are many potential pitfalls because we are licensed by individual states. Each state has its own requirements in order to practice so if I'm licensed in KY can I really treat someone living in FL??? It's too new for ethics to have caught up

For those of you having bad experiences, I'm sorry. We generally are good people who make the best decisions we can with the information we have available. ..but, not all of us are making those decisions based on the same amount of education, training and/or experience.

[vincereautmori 323]

I'm having the operation through the Bariatric program at Balboa. Tricare prime is covering me. I went and had my psych eval done and at the end the doc said all was good. Later I got an email from him saying, "who do you want to continue therapy with?" Long story short, he felt my stress was really high, (sorry I was honestly about things that bother me), and he wouldn't refer me without me seeing another therapist. So now I'm pissed. So I asked a friend who her therapist was and saw her lady a few times. Now Tricare is saying they won't cover that therapist anymore. So now I have a referral to a new therapist. I'm so frustrated with this whole thing. I'm pretty much just waiting at this point for a therapist to clear me. I really feel I'm under no higher stress than any other military wife out there. Both psychs have told me they are concerned that I only have 4-5 close friends and I only vent to about 3 people my stresses. That's just who I am! (Minus this instance because I'm fed up and I don't know who else can relate.) I told the psych eval therapist from the get go that his profession made me totally uncomfortable. :/

Did anyone else have issues with therapists?

"Both psychs have told me they are concerned that I only have 4-5 close friends and I only vent to about 3 people my stresses."

I would say you have hundreds if not thousands of friends to vent to, right here. It wouldn't be lying, right?