Back to square one. this is frustrating.

[Buddyholly09]

I'm back to square one. I did some research and found out the new therapist isn't "trained" in EMDR but was going to use me as her guinea pig so she could become certified in EMDR. I'm not going to play around with resurfacing issues by someone who isn't certified to do it.

I had finally found a therapist I felt comfortable with so I could get to the root of this. I don't feel comfortable continuing with her being she didn't make me aware of all the facts about EMDR and being a guinea pig.

The guy I saw before her made me feel like I was inferior to him and uncomfortable. I'm trying to let the wall down but I truly feel like I have to find someone I'm comfortable with.


Does anyone have any tips or recommendations on finding a new therapist?

 

[whiteraven]

I don't have any advice, as I'm in pretty much the same boat and have no experience with EMDR, but I wanted to respond and let you know that I'm really sorry you are struggling right now. Not sure how this therapist markets herself, but hopefully she did not say she was trained in EMDR. It's so hard to find someone you feel comfortable with.

Before, when I was looking for a new therapist, I made a list of qualities and skills I was looking for. For example, if I needed someone trained in specific types of therapies, I added that to my list. Then I did an internet search to find therapists in my area who met the qualifications on my list. If I found any, I narrowed them down by cross-checking them with my insurance company, ratings on other sites, the write-ups on their websites, etc... When/if I find someone I like, I contact them for a first meeting and take it from there.

Doesn't always work out, but it's kind of like hiring a new employee. They have to go through a probationary period before they get to be permanent employees with the company.

 

[kilted]

IF you found a therapist you were comfortable with then stick with her. One thing to check though.... if the therapist is already a trained therapist and is adding EMDR to her list of skills that's a good sign. If she's only training in EMDR and is early in her career then maybe move on.

Certificates only go so far.... there are plenty of therapists in training who are solid and grounded.... with the advantage that they are/should be in intensive supervision. In contrast there are plenty of therapists with certificates coming out of their ears and decades of "experience" that I wouldn't touch with a bargepole....

All therapists have to start somewhere.... and over here in the UK, that usually means trainee therapists work/volunteer in the charitable/agency sector with the most traumatised clients...and generally do OK.

 

[Nessa7]

Maybe start your search with the EMDR Clinician Directory. At least that way you'll know that they all fit your basic requirement.

 

[zoie33]

I totally understand your concern but certification does not mean they have no experience in doing EMDR. I have a great therapist and he is still not certified. They have to have quite a few hours and a lot of it has to be videotaped and they are required to go over it through Supervision in order to get technically certified
You may want to ask how much training and experience she's actually had so far with doing EMDR. I wouldn't rule her out just because she's not certified yet. That does not mean they have no experience. It is my understanding that they have to have at least the second level of training complete and so many hours of EMDR experience with at least 25 different clients before they can even begin certification. I volunteered to be videotaped with my therapist and actually it made me feel more confident. When I was having difficulty mainly because of dissociation he was able to consult with his supervisor and she ended up giving him more techniques that he could try with me. He is still not technically certified at least according to the EMDR website but I feel confident that he knows what he's doing. He is also a great trauma therapist in other ways and I wouldn't think of switching. Good luck to you I know EMDR can be hard even with the best of therapists.