Update-Therapy Referral for me

[becvan]

Well I finally got a call back. I will be sent to this place:

Community Mental Health Services:

Community Mental Health Services of the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital provides a multidisciplinary model of mental health services for individuals between the ages of 16 and 65 years, living in the Thunder Bay geographical area with a severe debilitating psychiatric illness and requiring an individualized psychiatric treatment plan with a focus on community living. Services offered include:
triage nurses working in partnership with clients, case workers or family to identify a client's needs and present the information to the multidisciplinary team in order to formulate an accurate individualized treatment plan;
therapeutic counseling services with nursing, social work, psychology, occupational therapy on assessments;
doctor's clinics providing appropriate psychiatric care;
medication depot clinics with individual health teaching regarding medications;
teaching and information gathering regarding mental illness for our patients;
home visits for individuals currently needing more thorough follow-up assessments and/or experiencing severe levels of anxiety;
group work including Psycho-educational Groups, Anxiety Groups, Women's Abuse Survivors Group;
psychiatric assessments
community outreach teaching programs as required;
referrals to other programs within the hospital and outside agencies as needed;
providing consultation for clients through telepsychiatry with the client, primary therapist, outpatient nurse and a psychiatrist from London, Ontario.I'm just waiting for them to call me now and find out how long the wait list is. Ugh lot's of freaking waiting! *but I am moving forward*

bec

[hodge]

Wow, wish we had that in the States! I hope you don't have to wait too long, Bec! But it sounds like you'll have lots of support once you get in there. Good luck!

[mouse]

That sounds Great Bec hope the wait isnt to long,

[pandora]

Wow.That is a lot of services. I am very happy for you and hope the wait is not too long.
Take Care

[Lisa]

That sounds good :) Similar to what we have in England which are called Community Mental Health Teams. I hope the wait isn't too long... but I'm really glad that you've got something that could work really well for you.

Dunno if any of you know of the old pop group 5ive (a group in the UK that i liked as a teen) but when you said you're "moving forward" I broke out into "Keep on movin', keep on movin'' lol :)

Good luck

Lisa

[Riger]

Nice, good luck with that and I do hope it works out!!

[becvan]

Thanks guys. No word yet on the waiting list. Hopefully I will hear something by this week.

Lisa: never heard of them, but it sounded like a funny moment!

bec

[nugget]

Shit Dr Bec, sounds like a supermarket for the Mental Health, we should all have one at the end of the street. I suppose the hardest part is getting in there first lets hope its just what the good (Dr)ordered pardon the pun.

THANKS FOR VOTING


NUGGET FOR PRIME MINISTER

[becvan]

Well they called this morning. I have orientation in a month. I'm on team one (I have no idea what that means.. lol I will find out at orientation) which has a waiting list of 2 to 3 months. That's not bad! I should be rolling by November at the latest. I'm still on a wait list for a psych but that could be six months to a year still.

Also, I went to a walk in clinic for a doctor. He was recommended to me because he used to work in the program I'm going into! He switched my nighttime meds (old ones weren't working and didn't want to deal with upping the doses) and gave me both ativan and lorazepam (same drug, you take them differently!) to try and see which works better. I have to go back in a few weeks and then he will take another look at my meds. I think he's going to get them sorted out for me! Much better doc for mental health than my old one! And he is funnier than shit. He got quite the hoot out of my slangy accent and had much fun teasing me about being a country girl! I like him.

So that's the update, next one will be in a month after orientation!

bec

Ohh and MR. Prime Minister: your Mental Health supermarket stuck! LOL now that's the term I'm using when I talk about this program!

[becvan]

Well I no sooner finished up appointments today when the MH Supermarket called me back. I have an appointment with the nurse practitioner in a week! Little did I know, but once this ball gets rolling they take care of everything! All doc visits, all meds, all therapy, any help with chores, household stuff, parenting, work, socializing etc. It's all handled and done by them!

I kinda feel like I hit the ultimate PTSD jackpot! :crazy-blu

bec

[metis-siren]

That's great news bec!

[veiled]

Hey, way to go! I am so happy for you. Sorry in being delayed catching up on posts a little.

[becvan]

So I figured I would plop this in here as I really don't feel like starting another thread.

Matt had his first therapy visit today. He really likes her (such a bonus!) He told her about his symptoms which is more than he has ever said, so I'm very hopefull that he will open up to her.

Matt will be doing school work at home for the next month until all his assessments are done. He needs to see the psych, the same nurse I see for a full physical, plus a learning plan for the school and a chance of a special needs assessment for the school. And we have to get this all done in a month! Ouch!

We might be looking at medicating Matt. I will know more after we see the psych. I'm not too big on this idea however his passing out in public is an issue. So I can see what they are thinking of there at least.

I think my bubble got popped today though. Part of me was holding out hope that his diagnosis is wrong and really he doesn't have PTSD nor is it full-blown. After sitting there for an hour, there is slim chances of that hope coming to fruition. He has the full range and severity of symptoms that I do. Damn.

I am encouraged though. Matt likes her, he opened up to her, she is very happy to be working with him, the school is bending over backwards for him and he will be fully assessed within one month.

I got him help! I feel really relieved that it's not just me trying to help him any more. No more blind leading the blind!

So it's ALL GOOD. And I am so very very proud of my son! He was honest and he tried really hard! He's even going to see her all by himself next week! I get to wait outside! :claps:


bec

[Kathy]

It sounds very promising Bec, well done! I too would be concerned about medication for someone under 18; however, sometimes it is necessary. I know how involved you are, and as such I am confident you will make an informed decision either way. You and Matt deserve health and happines, and I am so delighted things are beginning to come together for you both.

[She Cat]

Way to go Bec....Scary how one day you look at them and they are growing up...Even if we still see them as our babies......

Yes, you have the right to feel proud of yourself......

Hugs,

Wen

[becvan]

Thanks guys. It was a huge relief and I think relieving for Matt too. LOL now to just get over the excitement!

bec

[Marlene]

Bec,

Congrats on getting help for both of you!

Lisa

[mouse]

Sounds like things are moving for Matt, What a relief you are a great Mom Bec taken care of your son, getting him the help he needs and recognizing that he is accepting some help and not pushing to hard, I hope they don't have to start meds for Matt but I know that you are well educated to make the best decision. Bec I hope that I can have the strength and courage raising my daughter as you obviously do.

Amber

[kers]

Good for you, Bec! And good for Matt.

[becvan]

Well I am finally to the point of getting therapy. I've been seeing my psych for a few months now, but was still on the list for Team 1 for therapy. I had my nurse, my psych and Matt's therapist all trying to get me into one particular therapist here in the city. Turns out she is the only trauma therapist in Northwestern Ontario (which is a huge area.) Matt's therapist succeeded! She called the other day and I have my first appointment in mid January.

I had to check with Team 1 about getting booted though. I wasn't sure if I would be kicked out of their program because of receiving therapy elsewhere. They think it's great, because they don't do this type of therapy, so I won't be getting booted.

So it's been a hell of a fight to get here, but I'm almost there! :)

bec

[kers]

God, bec, I'm so happy for you! It has been so frustrating to hear how hard it has been for you to get help--I'm glad there's an appointment all set up, finally!

[cookie]

i am so glad, waiting is the pits.
cathy

[reallydown]

Bec, I'm glad there's finally something concrete. I really hope it works out. Good luck :)

[pandora]

That is awesome news!

[becvan]

I'm very very exhausted currently. I had my psych today. It went well. I'm starting to get a little more comfortable dealing with her. She upped my meds. Wants to make sure I'm stabilized on a higher dosage since I meet with my new trauma therapist on the 16th.

Must admit I am very nervous about all of this. I fought almost two years to get to this point. Here it is. All of it this month. I meet with the trauma therapist on the 16th. Then I have an interview for Team one on the 29th. I have to have therapy goals ready for that.

I'm very exhausted. I'm finally here and nervous as hell. Okay, scared out of my wits, I'll admit it. I'm not sure what to expect out of any of it. Glad at least I know what the psych appointments are all about.

I also have Matt's therapy starting back up this week, after X-mas holidays.

I am just so tired today.. *sigh*

bec

[Seeking_Nirvana]

I hope you get the rest you deserve and the road becomes easier to travel in the future.

Tammy

[becvan]

Seen my trauma therapist yesterday. I clicked with her! She is very nice, knowledgeable and I felt really comfortable with her. Luckily I kept a copy of my trauma list on my computer (I'm unable to even see mine on the forum) and gave her a copy of it. We talked about my history to this point, what I've been working on, my symptoms and what the process will be for therapy. We will work on safety right now. This will encompass both external and internal feelings of safety, coping skills, and an action plan for me. We will also hammer out how and when to contact her once we start working on the traumas, and who else should be on a contact list for me when it gets to be too much. I will see her once every two weeks for this aspect of the trauma. Once we start working on my trauma I will see her once a week. She really empathized that we are team and that I need to be comfortable with that. Also that my honesty is needed in order to make this work. She didn't feel I have an issue with that, but once trauma work starts it's common for clients to "back off" due to the increase in symptoms. She needs to know what my symptoms are doing in order to help me. She will also be working closely with my psych.

I am currently on a higher dose of Remeron in anticipation of the trauma therapy. I find it's really helping too. My symptoms are much more manageable right now. It's not helping me sleep, but I seem to be doing half assed okay on that anyways. (being really ill right now helps! lol I'm sleeping lots anyways!)

So although the very hard and painful work is quickly coming, I'm feeling very positive about it! I feel like everything is finally coming together for me. I've advocated hard to get here! :)

bec

[kers]

I'm glad to hear your therapist understands that the work is hard, and is taking measures to prepare you and protect you for the worst of it. It feels like it lasts forever, but I'll attest that it does not! The worst will, eventually, be over. Hang tough, bec.

[Grama-Herc]

Bec.

I could not be happier for you. You've been through so much. Much more than I knew about untill now.

You have been here to help us and now it is our turn. Ask and ye shall receive. What ever we can do to help you, just yell. Any oe of us will be happy to listen. I do however have "1" request! Can I place a TO GO order for that "supermarket".

That place sounds incredible. What a blessing for you to finally have access to such a place. Guess this year IS going to be a good one. I heard someone on TV say that--some kind of psychic or something.

Hugs and prayer for you and Matt SMILES:) :) :) Grama-herc

[hodge]

Bec, I'm so glad to hear you got a therapist you feel good with. Coincidentally, my med nurse recently put me on Remeron also. I don't know if that or the increase in Clonazepam or the combination made the difference, but I can certainly tell there's a positive change for me anyway. I hope it all continues to help you, and I also hope you get over that cold/flu thing soon!

[anthony]

Excellent that your getting the help you need bec.... well done.

[pandora]

That is awesome bec.....I hope it all goes well for you...you deserve it.