Does The Age And Qualification Of Your Therapist/counsellor Really Matter?

[sun seeker]

I want to overcome my trusting issues, low self-esteem, attachment and detachment issues. There are other issues about my constant questioning on my past and why the perpetrators what they actually did.

It sounds from what you describe as if your therapist is trying to do CBT, but not very effectively. There may be some objections to this, but in my view CBT is not the best modality for the issues you want to work on. A trauma therapist of some kind might be better, particularly one specializing in early attachment. You might find what you are looking for in someone doing somatic craniosacral work, if there is such a thing in your area.

 

[mrsps]

Hey J_trustno1 I am also seeing a counsellor through ACC have just finished my 20ish sessions I was given and my counsellor has requested more, haven't heard the outcome yet. But I get to go weekly, have you not be allowed to go weekly? The lady I see is 65 and I love her. She specializes in sexual abuse/trauma and I kinda think the older she is the more experience she has! But if you don't think the person you are seeing is right for you, you can request another person.

 

[J_trustno1]

@mrsps: I'm thinking of giving her 2 more sessions. It's been a month since I've seen her due to Xmas and new year holidays. For some reason I feel this lady and I have friction. There seem to be some sort weird feeling when I see her. I really don't find her welcoming. I don't know why but that's the kind of feeling I have been getting since day one of my therapy with her. It's something with her expressions I have problem with. It feels that she is just there for the sake of her job and behaving formal but I don't know. I'm kinda confused. I have never had this happen with any therapist except her.

 

[Ladyghosthunter]

Age: Yes. They are NOT equipped in the knowledge of handling PTSD in its various states to determine treatment unless they specialize in the field. Most are general practice therapists which doesn't mean jack **** in the scope of what we're going through. They've never been there nor have they lived long enough to know what some PTSD definitions are.

Qualifications: Make SURE you check with your insurance provider to find a specialist who deals with PTSD. If you get a general therapist, they won't help you but just sugar coat your issues with psychobabble.

 

[mrsps]

I'm thinking of giving her 2 more sessions

Fair call. See how she is after not seeing her for a month. If you are still not feeling it with her then best to move on to another T. Did you get to chose who you wanted to go to or was she chosen for you? It is hard to know what any T is going to be like. Sometimes it is trial and error to find the one that fits best. Best of luck to you :)

 

[J_trustno1]

I didn't choose her my previous therapist referred me to their clinic. My only concerns were that my new therapist has to be a female and she has to be someone of not the same culture. However, I didn't know that I will struggle again after ruling out two possible triggers. I'll see what she does next week and will ask her about the structure of this therapy. I really need to know where I am getting at. I don't like beating around the bush and not getting what I want to at the end of my therapy.

I hate it when they sugarcoat it. Her attitude makes me feel that she is very fake to me in terms of actually helping me and worrying about my actual process.

 

[Sammyiam]

Hi Jess,

She must have a fairly good lot of training to be ACC certified, as they have to apply to become a ACC therapist here in New Zealand. I'm like @mrsps and I see my one who is a clinical psychologist every week. I used to see a counsellor every week but she wasn't ACC accredited so I had to pay for it myself (here in New Zealand it is different we don't really have insurance cover for counsellors etc all our hospitals are free ) she was the one that told me that it is a lot of work to get ACC accredited and you have to have your paper work and qualifications up to standard to even be able to apply. I think that you have to click or it is a waste of time.

I would google ACC registered counsellors in New Zealand or go to their home page and a list comes up under ACC counsellors type in your city and heaps come up with what all their qualifications are and what they specialise in eg CBT Trauma etc Also you will have been given a case manager ring her and have a talk to her, they are really nice and ask her. Just ask for sensitive claims and they put you through.

PM me if you need any help Jess

 

[Sammyiam]

Hi Jess I just looked up the ACC website and there are heaps and heaps on their list for your town ! Go have a look and let me know what you think.

Sammy

 

[joeylittle]

Trust your gut. If it feels like its not effective, and she isn't compelling enough as a motivator or communicator to get through to you in a way that is going to be productive, then it doesn't matter if she's the most qualified and highly spoken of therapist in your entire region; if it's not working for you, it's not working for you.

It sounds to me like you are giving it a fair shake, and that its likely you will need to move on.