Hi guys.

I could use some advice/encouraging words/experiences here.

I've been with (both inpatient and outpatient) youth mental health services since I was a kid and for the last four years, I've had a therapist who seems to understand me and manages to level with me. He's the first of +- ten therapists to do so, and I'm not someone who easily trusts people.

I was supposed to transfer to (outpatient) adult services when I was eightteen but I managed to take it to almost 19, but they're pretty much making me transfer now. There's not really a reason why adult services would be able to help me better than youth services do, but because I'm an adult now, there's just no avoiding it anymore.

But I really don't know how to manage this.

I've had one encounter with adult services so far - I've seen their crisis team after a suicide attempt. They sectioned me, restrained me on a bed for over 12 hours and forced me to get medical treatments I didn't want. So, nope, that wasn't a good first impression for either side. And in case you wanna say 'not all adult services are the same', they're from the same organisation I'm getting transferred to because that's the only one that's active in this region.

I basically don't trust them already due to what their crisis team did, and it adds that I just don't easily trust people. I don't wanna have to go through another ten shrinks to find one that's decent, and the only reason I'm even going rather than asking to be discharged from mental health services in general is because the place I live now (sheltered living) kinda makes me and because there's a fair chance of getting forced if I'm gonna deny treatment, so, yeah.

Does anyone have any experiences, advice, et cetera?

I've heard a lot of horror stories (only getting one appointment each month while being very suicidal, everything you say being declared bullshit 'because you're the one that's mentally ill here!', asking for a new therapist because you just don't click with the current one and being denied so 'because you're a borderline', shit like that.) and I could use some encouragements. I've got an intake this friday and at least my key nurse from sheltered living is coming along but I'm still frightened as fuck.

Is there a way you could contact your trusted therapist and ask for a recommendation for one of the adult service therapists? It kinda sounds like they all work in the same building for the same company, no? If so, maybe he could write a letter of recommendation to one of the higher-ups to get you transferred to that particular person. It might be a better transition to go from the trusted therapist to one he personally recommends based on what he knows about your case.

I actually like that idea, thank you! Adult services and youth services are in two different buildings, but they do have quite close contacts as far as I know. I'll try this, thank you.

You're welcome! Best of luck :)