I cannot find a psychologist

Posted by sharona09 @sharona09, Jun 19 12:20am

I have tried for over a year to find a psychologist and can't get in anywhere! Everyone has a waiting list. I did find one guy a few years ago during COVID, and I was wearing a mask. The first thing out of the Psychiatrist's mouth was, "That mask will not do you any good." I felt betrayed by my comfort zone. I should have reported the guy. How can one find help these days when everyone is busy? Not to mention, a good fit is so important.

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@mikaylar

Churches and chapels are usually open and they are free. Pastors and ministers are there to offer comfort and they, too, are free. Friends, if you seek out the right ones, can be a blessing.

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@mikaylar That's a good point. Many pastors, priests, ministers and rabbis have attended pastoral education classes and internships. One of my good friends who is a Lutheran minister feels that her pastoral education is what she was called to do and it is her focus. This friend, by the way, is ecumenical and works with everyone regardless of their religious background.

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@mikaylar

Churches and chapels are usually open and they are free. Pastors and ministers are there to offer comfort and they, too, are free. Friends, if you seek out the right ones, can be a blessing.

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Thanks for your input, but my father was a pastor. Not the path for me.

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@mikaylar

Churches and chapels are usually open and they are free. Pastors and ministers are there to offer comfort and they, too, are free. Friends, if you seek out the right ones, can be a blessing.

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I sought grief counseling after my mother died. In trying to resolve unrelated issues since then (temporary anxiety/depression), I was able to reconnect with that counselor on a private basis--technically, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Might be another option for some.

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@njoys

I sought grief counseling after my mother died. In trying to resolve unrelated issues since then (temporary anxiety/depression), I was able to reconnect with that counselor on a private basis--technically, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Might be another option for some.

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Thanks!

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@slarson14

It is really pathetic that Medicare does not cover mental health counseling. Aging has so many issues mental health counseling could help manage.

Medicine has definitely changed since COVID - seems like everything is a wait.

Be patient.
I began looking for a good psychiatrist in 2013. I finally found one in 2022.

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@slarson14
Medicare does pay for psychiatric and mental health counseling. I have been seeing a pyschiatric specialist at Mayo since 2015.

If you are talking about Medicare Advantage it is important to know that when you transfer to an Advantage program you are no longer in Medicare you are in the insurance company you chose to move to. Those can or don't allow seeing or covering medical and mental health services that Medicare will.

I do know that you can go on Medicare and search for medical and psychological services in your area that take Medicare.

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@jc76

@slarson14
Medicare does pay for psychiatric and mental health counseling. I have been seeing a pyschiatric specialist at Mayo since 2015.

If you are talking about Medicare Advantage it is important to know that when you transfer to an Advantage program you are no longer in Medicare you are in the insurance company you chose to move to. Those can or don't allow seeing or covering medical and mental health services that Medicare will.

I do know that you can go on Medicare and search for medical and psychological services in your area that take Medicare.

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Thanks!

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@jc76

@slarson14
Medicare does pay for psychiatric and mental health counseling. I have been seeing a pyschiatric specialist at Mayo since 2015.

If you are talking about Medicare Advantage it is important to know that when you transfer to an Advantage program you are no longer in Medicare you are in the insurance company you chose to move to. Those can or don't allow seeing or covering medical and mental health services that Medicare will.

I do know that you can go on Medicare and search for medical and psychological services in your area that take Medicare.

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I have insurance that will pay for it

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@jc76

@slarson14
Medicare does pay for psychiatric and mental health counseling. I have been seeing a pyschiatric specialist at Mayo since 2015.

If you are talking about Medicare Advantage it is important to know that when you transfer to an Advantage program you are no longer in Medicare you are in the insurance company you chose to move to. Those can or don't allow seeing or covering medical and mental health services that Medicare will.

I do know that you can go on Medicare and search for medical and psychological services in your area that take Medicare.

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The issue is that it is hard to find someone that is taking new patients

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