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My initial meeting with the psychologist from work to deal with increased depression in my opinion did not meet my expectations. Lots of talking on my part and lots of nodding on his. Felt disconnected. Perhaps we need more time together. perhaps its a work program and not really what I need. The reason I post this is that I'm trying to gain insight in choosing a therapist that one can click with. I would also be interested in any past experiences with insurance and if and how much they might pay? Or just generally how much does a therapist charge? I might need someone who specializes in basket case cancer patients like me. Do they specialize?
I'm finding out cancer is a long process in either direction. There are major issues with doom and gloom and also major issues in the possibility of living. Both present challenges. Continuing education has taken on a whole new meaning. Perhaps I can learn welding instead?
I'm a 14 year ovarian cancer survivor and have been involved nationally in advocacy & e-health issues for many years.
I'm responding to your concern about finding a psychologist who can help you. Sometimes other patients can help you more than anyone, both with treatment options and with how to deal with the situational depression you have. I volunteer with
www.acor.org which runs many mailing lists for specific cancers. I think you will find some help there.
It is normal to be depressed and anxious - how could you not be? I can't really tell you how to find a therapist to help you, but you need someone who works with oncology patients a lot. You also need medication. The amount of stress all this causes is changing your brain chemistry, the meds help balance it back to what it should be.
Being a cancer survivor is not easy. I make decisions (now, after so many years) based on the assumption that I may live to be 100 and may die much younger. It is part of why I plan to retire at 62 this summer - despite having to find health insurance for 18 months after COBRA runs out. Work stress is killing me.
Just remember, what you are feeling is normal and not unusual at all. It's very hard to put it aside and work and think that nothing has changed. It has, and your quality of life just became very important in a way that it wasn't before the cancer diagnosis.
Hang in there and let me know if there's any way I can help.