has anyone gotten counseling for themselves?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone gotten counseling for themselves?

If so, can you make a recommendation to a counselor who is empathic and also knowledgable regarding the demands of having special needs children? Thanks for any responses!

[Anonymous]

Yes, I did and it was helpful, but I had to stop b/c we switched insurance and she no longer took my insurance. I saw Ann Collins, but I've also heard that Alford is amazing, but they don't take insurance. JSSA's supposed to be good, too, but their waitlist is long. Also, Jonah Green and Associates are supposed to be good. Good luck. It's so hard to deal with all of this. I think about it non-stop and unfortunately, haven't shared much with my friends or most of our family which has been extremely hard, but a therapist will definitely help. Also, a support group if you can find a good one.

[Anonymous]

I've gotten counseling but, unfortunately, the counselor is no longer in this area. I found it immensely helpful. It's been a few years since my last session but I recently realized that I needed a little more than counseling. I've started on a low dose anti-depressant and it's really made a big difference. I don't know that I was really depressed but was very irritable, low frustration tolerance and basically felt I was PMSing all the time. The anti-depressant has really taken the edge off and given me some of the balance I was missing. good luck.

[Anonymous]

Yes and it might have saved my life. At least it extended it! smile.

Dealing with the disappointment of the diagnosis, then pushing myself to rally and deal with reality, learning that OK might be OK and not to expect perfection-- all things that had a lot to do with how I was raised and expectations in my childhood. So the therapist really helped me to be a better mom.

The key for me was finding one that would listen, ask questions, laugh with me but not judge me. Because my mom judged me, and I judge myself, I needed a therapist that I could trust. It's been over 3 years now and I've really enjoyed the experience. I say go for it.

[Anonymous]

PP - is there any way you would be comfortable sharing the name of your counselor? He/she sounds wonderful and it is difficult to find someone who can understand our situation.

[Anonymous]

I saw a wonderful therapist over a decade ago, in the wake of my father's sudden death. It was before I had my child with SN, but she was so enormously helpful and sympathetic and kind. She helped me become such a stronger person - and I really credit her for helping me be able to handle the challenge of a child with SN. If I needed someone today, I would see her in a second.

Rappaport, Wanda PhD,
2440 M Street NW # 512
Washington, DC 20037-1498
Phone: [phone]

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I, too, am seeking a therapist for me, as I struggle to raise a wonderful SN child. I find myself short-tempered, tense, overwhelmed, and not myself. The last thing I want is to stress out my child, who has enough to deal with.

What futher frustrates me, though, is the limitations insurance companies place on covering psychotherapy. And as we find with the 'good' therapists for our kids, some of the better therapists don't take insurance. With the high costs of my child's therapies, my 'therapy' has to be put on hold.

With that said, I am not OP, but if someone can recommend a therapist who accepts CareFirst, please do : )

[Anonymous]

I love my therapist. I've been with her for 3 years. My only complaint is that she is very expensive 175/50 minutes her name is Stephanie Lebow. She actually just started a website http://www.stephanielebow.com/

[Anonymous]

I also went on anti-depressants. Life-saving.

[Anonymous]

I love my therapist. I've been with her for 3 years. My only complaint is that she is very expensive 175/50 minutes her name is Stephanie Lebow. She actually just started a website http://www.stephanielebow.com/