Over my years of hobbying, I befriended several SP's. One is in terrible shape. In her mind, life is crumbling around her. Other than trying to give her good advice, I am not any type of medical professional or counselor and feel she is in need of some professional help. She desperately wants to get out of the biz but has deep emotional and self worth issues. Can anyone refer a licensed counselor or Psychiatrist that could help her? I think she would prefer a woman and since she does not have a car, on a bus or subway route is a must. Sappy PL will probably foot the bill for her so no need for OHIP. Post or PM if you wish. Thanks.
Psychiatrist referral
- Thread starter petitelover
- Start date
Normally, in order to see a psychiatrist or other legitimate mental health practitioner, you need to get a referral from a GP. If she doesn't have a family doctor, then I'm sure she can get a referral from a clinic etc.
My advice below is if you think they need medical help -- clinical depression, mood disorders, etc. Ie need more than a counsellor.petitelover said:
If they are in crisis -- ie delusional, irrational, stopped sleeping, can't stop crying, possibly going to hurt themselves or others, go to an Emerg. They have crisis workers that can help, and get on-call help if needed.
Otherwise, start with their GP. The referral onwards to a psychiatrist or a clinic needs to come from them. They can do some basic diagnosis and treatment themselves, which is good as the time to get to a psychiatrist or a clinic program can be lengthy.
Look around www.camh.net and the website for her preferred hospital -- they list programs usually, and how to get access to them.
Interesting. I am from the States and if you are private pay you can go anywhere assuming they have availability. If she is reluctant to discuss this with her GP and obtain a referral, how can I obtain the names of legitimate practitioners? Again, I would pay the cost for her.johnnyone1 said:
I'm talking about Canada, I don't know how things work in the States.petitelover said:
If she is reluctant to speak with her GP, then maybe she could go to a free clinic.
Maybe, in the States, you can approach mental health professionals directly?
I'm sure you can find plenty of them listed in the phone book.
Lord knows I had my theoretical differences with this woman but still...
http://torontopsychoanalyst.com/
jwm
http://torontopsychoanalyst.com/
jwm
Waiting list for OHIP funded shrinks are a year or more in the Toronto area. If she is really needs help, but not meds, she can easily hook up with a clinical psychologist.
Try the emergency dept at St. Joes, they have a decent psychiatric department
Try the emergency dept at St. Joes, they have a decent psychiatric department
I understand you are talking about Canada. She is reluctant to speak with her GP and having to go to a clinic to get a referral seems nonsensical. And yes, in the States anyone can approach a medical professional if they are private pay.johnnyone1 said:
I guess I could look in the telephone book but thought some terbites might have a suggestion or alternative.
jwmorrice said:
Thanks - she seems to have good credentials. Any others? Any Psychiatrists or would she be better served by a Psychologist?
Which leads to the chicken or the egg problem of is it better to have a Canadian system of taxpayer funded health care where one has to wait a year for an appointment or a U.S. system of heathcare where those in middle income brackets may not be able to afford health care.Compromised said:
I am certain I won't be able to get her to walk into an emergency room to get help. Anyone know other options to get names to call at St. Joes or any other hospital?Compromised said:
It sounds like you're describing a huge ethics problem. Without getting into it, she has to be on board before so much as a consult unless immediate medical attention is required.petitelover said:
Given the waiting times it sounds like a Clinical Psychologist might be the best start, providing that they are competent. If her case presents as being too complex, I would think that they would be able to more rapidly get her into psychiatric care than her just getting a GP referal. I hope that you are able to get her help - You are a good guy to care PL.petitelover said:
Yup,Aardvark154 said:Which leads to the chicken or the egg problem of is it better to have a Canadian system of taxpayer funded health care where one has to wait a year for an appointment or a U.S. system of heathcare where those in middle income brackets may not be able to afford health care.
Is it better to die because you don't have money, or die waiting in a line.
If you are looking for a referral, it might be helpful if you identified the town that she lives in.petitelover said:
If this girl is as messed up as you say, she's going to need some pretty intensive help. Is she up for that? You can't fix a life time's worth of "shit" with just a couple of vists to a Shrink.
Here's another place you can try: http://clinic.oise.utoronto.ca/Services/adult.htmpetitelover said:
jwm
Thanks for all the info so far.
I think I can get her to go to a Psychiatrist or Psychologist but the ER or similar - probably not.
Aardvard makes sense so I think Clinical Psychologist is the first route. Other than the one JW recommended - any others?
She lives about a 20 minute drive outside of the City of Toronto but she would not see anyone in her own town for fear she would see someone she knows. It is best for her to see someone in the City.
I think I can get her to go to a Psychiatrist or Psychologist but the ER or similar - probably not.
Aardvard makes sense so I think Clinical Psychologist is the first route. Other than the one JW recommended - any others?
She lives about a 20 minute drive outside of the City of Toronto but she would not see anyone in her own town for fear she would see someone she knows. It is best for her to see someone in the City.
This is an extremely important point!johnnyone1 said:
My ex had this sort of problem and it was one of the reasons the marriage failed. Psychological or Psychiatric Therapy is time intensive. Deep seated emotional problems are not “cured by just taking three or four "horse pills" a day, talking for a few hours about how you feel for two weeks and Voilà, a cure. It require a lot of time and commitment and a willingness to get to the underlying causes to come out the other side a healthier and happier person.
I agree. I only hope she will be able to commit the time and effort necessary to be a happier person. I won't know until she starts and I say the sooner the better.Aardvark154 said:
