The Self-Paying Client

• Agoraphobia with Panic Disorder by E.J.White, 10/6/98
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    • Learn with clients you understand by Stephen Lankton, 10/8/98
      
      

I agree with most of your points. The individual is complex and somewhat difficult (as he is a confirmed male agoraphobic with panic disorder, also clinically diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder,a recovering alcoholic (7+ years)and recovering substance abuser (7+ years).

Since agoraphobia in males isn't always diagnosed, the situation is difficult because he is willing to pay outside of his insurance plan, believing (rightly so) that he had been misdiagnosed for many years, which further complicated his downward spiral into full agoraphobia.

Feeling that this is true, he feels the need to try an alternative therapy, adamant in the belief that the health care providers he went to completely dismissed his continual persistance that he had a 'phobia' and not depression, for which he was constantly treated.

A male incest survivor, to further complicate matters, he is intent on finding a therapist who can use hypnosis to unlock a 'sexual component' that he believes is the cause of the agoraphobia/panic disorder.

How does one counter such an argument? Should one? And since the individual is able to pick a treatment method and pay for it outside of insurance, why not encourage it?

I know of one therapist in the state (NJ) who practices Ericksonian principles, but wanted to know if there were more, perhaps in PA, or NY. In other words, why shouldn't the individual be encouraged to 'move on'?

• Interpersonal style by Stephen Lankton, 10/11/98