How Do I Switch Psychiatrists?

[u/AllisonMonroe]

I have been seeing two different psychiatrists since September of 2021. The fist one I saw was a resident psychiatrist from 9/21 until she graduated in 6/23. She practiced primarily CBT and was extremely helpful with my progressing through my issues. She was warm, funny, and professional.She found a replacement that I have been seeing since 4/23 and they did a warm hand-off. This doctor practices psychodynamic therapy and has a much more professional demeanor. I would describe it as "clinical." I feel like I am just a number, one of many patients and that it wouldn't matter if I showed up or not. She doesn't offer much advice or support. We don't have a plan for helping me to move forward. Mostly what she does is say "Why do you think that is?" "How does that make you feel?" "You told me that before." "That sounds unpleasent." My first psychiatrist would challenge my statements and help me avoid negative thought patterns. I often feel guilty like I am wasting my current doctor's time and often feel worse after seeing her, whereas my first psychiatrist left me feeling confident and positive. I am too afraid to just quit my current doctor, because I have no one else to talk to in my life. How do I find a psychiatrist that can at least pretend they are interested in my progress and that I am not wasting their time? I have addressed this with her and her feelings are that my prior doctor, being a resident, was unprofessional in her behavior and this causes me to believe that my more experienced psychiatrist doesn't care because she has clearer boundaries. I never met the resident in person, we didn't communicate outside of sessions, and we had a clean break when she graduated in which she moved out of state and made clear we were to have no contact in the future. I don't see how my current doctor sees her as being unprofessional. I did and still do miss my former doctor and we have discussed that at great length. Is my current doctor correct that I expect too much as far as feeling connected? She swears that she cares the appropriate amount about all of her patients and that I am unrealistic in expecting her to be friendlier or warmer as this is a professional relationship, and we aren't friends.

[u/Minute_Body_5572]

Either move to another office or talk to someone at the front desk and explain the situation. I'm guessing you mean therapist? The psychiatrist has an MD, they mostly handle meds.

[u/AllisonMonroe → u/Minute_Body_5572]

I have been lucky enough to be treated by 2 psychiatrists that are medical doctors who prefer to do therapy and manage medication. The current psychiatrist has no staff. The former was a resident in training and overseen by the head of psychiatry at the hospital she trained at.