What’s my diagnosis?

People start therapy for a variety of reasons:
-Something feels off about the way they process emotions or think of themselves.
-Their relationships are falling apart or can’t fit well together.
-They think they have a diagnosis and want to learn how to fix it/change/make things better.
-They think it might be a good idea/wouldn’t hurt to try it.

and so many more…

For the sake of this blog, lets cover the third point above.

Do I have a diagnosis? Maybe.

Does insurance need you to have one to cover services? Basically, yes.

Do therapists diagnose me at the first session? We generally do not like to (i.e., also why taking insurance can bring challenges).

How do I know what my diagnosis is? If we have an idea of what we might be looking at, just ask your therapist.

Speaking for myself at least, I like to remind my clients that they are far much more than a diagnosis. Whether we discuss a possible diagnosis together, or you came to me from another provider who diagnosed you. Not only do I like to know my client’s history, I also love to work with their provider if they are being prescribed medication for their diagnosis.

Regardless of a diagnosis, there are still daily symptoms, behaviors, and thought processes that are happening. And those are the things that we will work on tackling together. Even if your diagnosis doesn’t change (remission is almost always possible), with the right treatment plan, your behaviors can.

So, when I have clients ask me if they have _____ diagnosis, we usually discuss why they might be wondering (especially if I haven’t picked up on this diagnosis myself), and what this diagnosis would mean to them.

What do I mean by “what this diagnosis would mean to them"?

Sometimes we are aching for togetherness, or acceptance, understanding.

A diagnosis might provide us with an ability to connect to others with the same struggles. It might help us make sense of what has been going on in our minds. It might help us feel no longer alone.

A diagnosis might be a concrete “answer” that we are needing/wanting.

Or, on the contrary, it might make you feel more alone, isolated, or outcasted.

Either way, I am here to support you and be part of your team.

Reach out, let’s chat more.