Cptsd And Bad Shrinks

[BloomInWinter]

((((Froggie))))

I don't want to burden you with requests but would love to learn more.

I have had several appointments where I asked questions my T.s couldn't answer...and they give that blank abandoning wall face and so I escape and fill in the emptiness with a misdirection or deflection, but oh, how JUST ONCE I'd love to hear an honest....'I'm not sure...let me check...'

I can see where it's a defeat for them...which is so tragic considering the overwhelming need for trauma T.s out there.

Sending you wishes for rest and comfort...

 

[Deaf Global Nomad]

Welcome to the forum, Christy!

Yes, you are in excellent company. I am on therapist #24 in the past 6 1/2 years. It has been a mind-boggling experience, the re-traumatizing by the professionals having caused more immediate problems. Each therapist I saw had his or her own issues which disrupted therapy in extremely unique ways. One had her best friend hired by the county to be my PCA and the PCA began extorting money from me. One place was a religious center to which the county had taken me. So, trust me, I understand your frustration...

I have needed breaks in between before I was able and willing to try again. Somehow in December I found the motivation to look again, this time on my own and on the internet, and connected with a therapist who is a perfect match for me. She is a trauma therapist with over 30 years of experience and has expertise in diverse therapy methods (patient centered talk therapy, CBT, sand-play therapy, as well as somatic experiencing), which come in handy for me at different times. We have been working together twice a week for 1 1/2-2 hours per session and I have been making steady progress. As I have C-PTSD it will probably take a number of years of hard work from both of us as well as the additional supporters so that I will be able to get and maintain a job as a university professor, instead of just the guest lecture here and there that I can do at the moment.

Best of luck in finding the help that you need! I hope you find this forum (i.e. the support of all the members) as helpful as I do. It has allowed me to work on my writing barriers and I have been able to really work on professional writing during the past few weeks again.

Take care!

 

[Kb3]

I'm sorry you had such an awful experience Christy and congratulations on perservering in spite of it.

Finding a good therapist that can treat trauma effectively can be very difficult and it is hard to shop around when you are feeling unwell. Being treated by an unprofessional/unqualified therapist just adds insult to injury.

What has worked for me is a body based approach rather than cognitive or EMDR. I have a history of early childhood/complex as well as recent trauma and for me EMDR was counterproductive. I have found certain aspects of CBT to be helpful, but overall I would say that a somatic approach has been able to reach the roots of my distress and create lasting changes.

Good luck and welcome.

 

[Fembot]

So true...its hard to find a therapist who you trust, who takes your insurance AND who gets results. It seems so random...so luck of the draw. Its not as if you can say to a friend, family member, or co worker, "so, who treats you for your PTSD and are they any good and do you like them and do they take "X" insurance?"