Finding a counselor feels like...
Online dating? Spinning a roulette wheel? Playing job offers against one another?
We all know there's a counselor shortage and so finding one with openings is a challenge. I'm trying to find a counselor for DD2, so finding someone who takes our insurance, who sees teens, who has openings, and who can accommodate our busy schedule is SUPER hard. Cold calling only yielded one response and she's no insurance/full pay. I scheduled an initial appointment with her just to have something in place in case nothing else pans out. Then I reached out to a former coworker, who is a counselor, to see if she had referrals, and she did. So I reached out to 2 therapists she referred me to. Both contacted me back today. One I'm playing phone tag with so I don't know how quickly she can schedule DD. The other is about to go on a 2wk vacation so can see DD after she returns, but I don't yet know if she has day/time that week that work for our schedule.
So I have one booked for next week, one available but I don't know when, and one available at least 3 weeks out. Oh and I'm on a waitlist for a 4th who thinks she might have an opening at the end of June. And I know that only waiting 2-4 weeks is wonderful all things considered.
I feel badly stringing them all along trying to see who works out best but I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket and have it not work out.
Do I keep the Tues appointment with the "full pay" person ($100 per appt) just to have one appointment but then switch if one of the others pans out? Do I cancel that appt since I just don't see doing full pay longer term? Am I going to end up on some therapist naughty list for pursuing multiple therapists and then backing out once I find a "best" one?
Mom to two amazing DDs ('07 & '09) and a fur baby.
Gluten free since Nov '11 after non-celiac gluten sensitive diagnosis. Have had great improvement or total elimination of: migraines, bloating/distention, heartburn, cystic acne, canker sores, bleeding gums, eczema on elbows, dry skin and scalp, muscle cramps, PMS, hair loss, heart palpitations, fatigue. I'm amazed.