Looking for a psychiatrist specializing in chronic pain and disability.

June 17, 2020 5:26 AM

I know I can look on Psychology Today site, but a recommendation would be most helpful.

I’m in Northern California, and would prefer someone who takes Medicare, but if it’s someone who’s really excellent, I can find a way to pay. Also, since telehealth seems to be working reasonably well, am I limited geographically? I had a much-adored and revered doc years ago who has since retired, and my also-beloved GP retired two years ago. His replacement has been just adequate, and has no recommendations for me, nor does another specialist I see regularly.

I have struggled with a degenerative disability most of my life that has gotten distinctly worse in the last 2 years and have been more anxious and depressed about my decline. There is no medical treatment or cure available. I’m not in a high-risk category for COVID-19, but quarantine is certainly adding to the load. I do what exercise I can, and am meditating. I’ve even tried microdosing psilocybin with mixed results. I think a professional would be really helpful at this point. Thank you for any suggestions.

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

Do they have to be a prescriber? If not: CRCs - Clinical Rehabilitation Counselors, are specialists in chronic illness and disability. Many of us are also psychotherapists, as the training programs for the fields have been integrated. If you want to work with someone who is trained in the psychological impact of disability and treating it, I'd recommend seeking out a CRC.

Go here and click "locate a professional" - and search for the CRC option.
posted by MonsieurBon at 8:04 AM on June 17, 2020 [1 favorite]

I don't have a specific recommendation, but if you are able to do telehealth and have Medicare (which is not geographically limited), that will open you up to any Psychiatrist in California who takes medicare. Because the laws are ambiguous most practitioners are avoiding telehealth across state lines. But, California is a large state with many providers so that particular issue shouldn't be much of a problem.
posted by JZig at 9:03 AM on June 17, 2020

I have a name to recommend based on personal experience of a loved one (just a phenomenal professional who's been flexible and kind and advocated on this person's behalf for years and years). Don't know about insurance situation. If you can DM me I will send it to you, or happy to send it to a mod to pass on to you.
posted by peppercorn at 2:08 PM on June 17, 2020

My Pilates instructor is a pro at adjusting to chronic pain and illness. She is also such a good listener that her sessions are sometimes better than therapy. I'm sure she can't replace a psychiatrist, but sessions with her might be a helpful supplement. She's in Oakland and offers sessions via Zoom with remarkable skill and minimal equipment. Check her out at Be Real Pilates and PM me if you'd like more info.
posted by equipoise at 6:35 PM on June 17, 2020

If a psychologist instead of a psychiatrist would be helpful, I would recommend the one I've been seeing for a couple years — please feel free to MeMail me for his info! He's located in Canada, but half of his practice is telehealth (that's how we've been doing it and it's going well).

He specializes in chronic pain patients and is himself disabled, which I've found has been crucial in how much he "gets it" in comparison to other therapists I've seen. Fibromyalgia isn't by nature degenerative, but mine has been getting progressively worse for a decade, and I've found his therapy outlook really, really helpful for coming to terms with that.
posted by fire, water, earth, air at 5:35 AM on June 26, 2020