BPDFamily.com

Bad day yesterday.  I have not been in to see my T in a while because I am only allowed 12 a year and my new year just started.  I called to make an appointment because I am starting to feel a lot a resentment that I wanted to talk to him about.  The receptionist told me they are no longer taking my insurance. 

I'm feeling pretty low since he is the only one within 200 miles that I have found that really knows anything about BPD.   :'(

Can you drop the insurance and just pay cash, instead?

I have no cash.  Barely getting by as it is. 

Could you email or write to your old T and ask his advice on how to find a new one who knows about BPD and who would be able to take your insurance?

That must be very frustrating for you know. I know how much easier it can be to talk to someone you know understand and knows the background already.

I think this a great suggestion. Ask your T for a recommendation.

His recommendation was, I'm sorry but I don't know of anybody else.  We are very rural and there just is no body.  There are a few counselors, but no one with experience with BPD.  The one place that still takes my insurance I had a bad experience with, so I am not too eager to go back. 

I feel like a safe place has been yanked out from under me, but after a day of feeling a bit teary, I decided that I get so much help here that it may not be so bad. 

Sorry to hear this, Mara2. I know kind of how you feel. My insurance won't cover any of the BPD specialists in my area, so I'm stuck trying to make do with their list of 'approved' therapists (none of whom know much about BPD and the one I've tried so far was horrible). It's depressing and stressful. I suppose I at least have the benefit of not having seen anyone good yet, so I don't know what I'm missing?

Thank goodness for this community! I'm with you, Mara2, thinking that it's not so bad since we at least have help here.

Is it possible that you may be able to pay out of pocket for your T, then submit to your insurance for reimbursement? It might be worth a call to insurance to see if that's an option.

Nope, not an option.  They require me to see my doc first and get a referral, then I can make an appt. with my therapist if they decide I need it.  Besides, i don't have it to pay out of pocket to start with. 

On the bright side, I may have a new job!  A young woman was telling me she needed to find a tutor for her two kids and I offered to do it for her.  Neither one of us knows how much I should charge for this service, so we have some googling to do, but it would be good to have more income, even if it is just a little.

Hi Mara, 

That sounds frustrating.  I am in a rural area as well, but recently moved closer to a larger area with better resources.  I am still rural, but within driving distance of some good therapists.  I know this doesn't help you, though. 

My thought was looking into a local support group, maybe Al-Anon, or something similar that is free.  Oftentimes these support groups offer invaluable support.  You might ask the nearest mental health facility if they know of any type of group therapy that is offered for free or very low cost.  Let us know how you are doing.  We support you.

Hey, a little break in the clouds! This sounds great, Mara2! Every little positive thing you can do for yourself helps. :)