Looking for a psychiatrist

[enveri.livejournal.com]

Having some mental health issues that I need to get help addressing. I've looked through the tags, but the most recent post is almost two years old, and I have been trying off and on since I moved here a year and a half ago to find someone.

My experience thusfar is answering machines that ask me to leave a message, then never return my calls. Harvard Vanguard will not see me because my Primary Care is not with them. (My insurance only covers specialists with HV)

I'm at the point of being willing to pay out of pocket for someone that is alternative-lifestyle friendly and will answer their damned phone. I'd really rather not let this go on any longer, and I do not want to go to a clinic that's going to immediately decide I need to be admitted. (Which is, in my experience, what happens if you go in to a walk-in clinic with a psychiatric concern or complaint)

So does anyone have a recommendation? My insurance is with Cigna, for what it's worth. I have a car available, weekend/evening hours a huge plus, as I work within the Boston city limits.

(I have a several-years-old-diagnosis that does indicate that medication is a necessity, so I do need a psychiatrist. I am sure I will receive a further referral to a therapist from that point)

Edited to add: Thank you everyone for all the suggestions and assistance. I have an appointment to see a therapist that's in the same office as my GP. I'm feeling hopeful that this will bear fruit.

Comments

[dreda.livejournal.com]

I have nothing but exemplary and positive things (including on the subject of alternative-friendly) to say about Eve Goldfarb in Somerville or Stephanie Ross in Arlington Center. I do not believe either takes insurance, but both are amenable to working with a sliding scale.

[anotherjen.livejournal.com]

I have also heard Eve Goldfarb recommended.

[siderea]

Eve Goldfarb is a psychologist, no? Not a psychiatrist, and is not able to prescribe meds.

[greenlily.livejournal.com]

My experience with psychologists is that they can almost always recommend you to a separate psychopharmacologist; a non-prescribing psych who is okay with alternative lifestyles will probably know a psychopharm who is also okay with alternative lifestyles. This does mean seeing two doctors, but the meetings with the psychopharm are intended to be brief check-ins to discuss physical symptoms, rather than extensive talk therapy, and may be billed accordingly.

Also, have you checked with your PCP to see if s/he is willing and able to write your scrips? Many PCPs, mine included, are willing to prescribe as long as you can provide them with proof that you're under the supervision of a mental health professional.

(Best of luck. I'd happily recommend you to my wonderful and alternative-everything-friendly therapist, but she retired.)

[dreda.livejournal.com]

In truth, I am not certain. She does, however, have the widest and most comprehensive referral network that I know of in the area, and is at least in that regard a valuable consult. Also, she answers her phone. And her email.