Therapist suggestion

Hello everyone,
I am very new to this forum. This is only my second post, so please let me know if I’m putting this in the wrong place.

I decided to reach out to a TMS therapist to help with my journey. Since my first introduction to TMS was hearing the story of Dr. Stracks on a podcast I decided to set up an appointment with him at Cormendi health (Dr. Schubiner also works with him). I was shocked to discover that the appointment would cost over $500 for the first meeting.

Is that worth the cost? Have any of you worked with them before? Are there less expensive alternatives that others of you have used?

Many years ago when I was looking for a counselor for panic disorder, I went to quite a number of inexpensive counselors. I did find that you get what you pay for. It wasn’t until I went to a specialist in anxiety, who also cost quite a bit more money, that I got much better help. So, I’m willing to spend the money if it’s worth it, but on the other hand, I don’t want to break the bank at the same time.

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

I think @Scott G is currently with him as a patient, maybe he can shed some light.

if it’s going create a ton of financial stress then no, I don’t think it’s worth it. Because that on top of TMS is going to be its own giant mess that’s going to create a ton of a pressure to recover quickly and guilt if you don’t think it’s working etc.

 

My suggestion is to consider also going to YouTube to watch some videos where Dr Stracks and Dr Schubiner are being interviewed to see if you think you'll like their manner/approach 'in the flesh' so to speak, whether you'd likely gel with them or not. Might also help you choose between the two, if you're also trying to decide on that at all, and to confirm what you felt about Dr Stracks after hearing him on that podcast. (I'm afraid I can't help with advising what the coaching would be like as I've not been to see either of them.)

 

There is a vast difference in pricing between medical doctors, licensed psychologists/psychiatrists, and TMS coaches.
Coaches for the most part (you should, of course investigate before hand) have education from trusted TMS Dr's and/or psychologists and have often been TMS-ers themselves. They tend to charge much less - so it depends on what you think you need. If you feel you need a trusted medical Dr. to tell you if you have TMS or not, then an initial appointment will cost you (my own regular medical Dr. charges $450 for 15-20 minutes if you don't have insurance!) $500 for 90 minutes of initial TMS consultation from a TMS medical Dr. seems to be about the norm.
After initial consultation most of the Dr.'s provide a variety of methods to work towards being pain free. 1-1 work, groups, following their online program - it's all variously priced.

If you don't feel you need that service, then a TMS coach might be a better option for you. Or you could begin with this Wiki's free TMS program which you do yourself. Dr. Schubiner and Dr. Schecter in LA also have published workbooks you can use for self-guided programs.