Finding A Therapist

[heidi]

Any tips for finding a therapist? I'd like someone with a PhD. Any other tips?

 

[WillyKat]

Yes:

- If you're in the US, and probably other places, you can look up their PSY# license online and see their credentials, specialties, publications, "approach" or "philosophy", methods, and see if there are any negatives (like complaints). Now, a few complaints aren't necessarily bad; its probably comes with the territory (see below). If they've only been practicing a year and have a bunch of complaints, run away. If they've been around a long time and have a few...personal opinion: don't put too much stock in it. Their approach is important, so you may want to look up the various treatment programs for PTSD. You can find that on this forum.

- Shop around: schedule appointments with a few that look good to you online. And tell them its a get acquainted / "shopping around" visit to make sure there's a good fit between you and your needs, their specialities and approach, and if there's good chemistry. Sometimes there isn't, and this is I think why there can be complaints against therapists that don't necessarily mean anything. Digression: my first visit was awful; I felt that idiot could not possibly help anyone and I complained. Then again, I dunno and maybe his approach works for some people.

- Then decide on which one you want to work with. I like the phrase "work with" because it really is a partnership. Consider how easy you think it would be to open up with them. Without that kind of trust, it won't work.

- Finally, if you get a couple months into it and realize its not going well, you can change. Keep in mind though that therapy is hard, it can be emotionally exhausting, and more than likely, you'll feel like you're getting worse before you get better. To me, it seems like crawling through Crap River having faith that the other side is better. While your neck deep in crap, that can be hard to believe.

Feel free to post the results of your visit and get some feedback here. It might help.

Happy hunting!

 

[heidi]

I look at their photos and wonder could I like that person and then I'm not like..no.no.no. next....no. I'm very interested in behavioral therapy but I'm not finding much on that front. I think it might be an eeny meeny minny moe selection process. I guess I don't have much faith in this profession.

 

[nomedic1]

Good luck with finding a therapist, it took me four of them to find the one I could relate to, hang in there it is worth it. A good therapist is able to break through all that scar tissue and help you heal.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I kind of lucked into mine. I went to a pain psychologist as part of a chronic pain program. It turned out that he had 26 years of trauma experience as well, so when I realized I had need of a trauma therapist, there he was. I have looked for others when I am mad at him (transference) and I don't know where I would begin.

 

[heidi]

Thanks. I think that I'm not expecting the first one will be a match so maybe that's why I feel so ho-hum about the process. Hopefully I will be able to discontinue seeing them if that's the case. I wish there was some sort of psychic power I could harness for this.

It is rare to have a connection that works. With anyone really.
That must be why this is so hard. It's really not just credentials it's the dynamic as well.

Anyway, thanks for your responses.

 

[piratelady]

I'd like someone with a PhD

I've seen a couple therapists and the one with the PhD was the worst. I no longer look at credentials, I focus on their experience and approach. I have a few sessions and then I have a feel for whether or not we will be a good fit. I think it's more about their experience and how you interact with them.

 

[heidi]

I think it might have something to do with what your needs are as well. I'm not really looking for someone to heal me. I almost feel like I can just tell them what I would like from them and what I think would be helpful to me and it's not much. At this point just having a place to say things I can't talk about normally would be helpful.

But I do think a PhD is the way to go. I just don't think therapists get enough training.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Finding a therapist is HARD!

At first I looked for people trained in trauma. Well, those didn't work out so well. Then I looked for someone skilled in treating attachment issues. That worked well, although we didn't get too deep into the attachment issues themselves, unfortunately. The latest I found by looking for a neurofeedback therapist. There are very few around me so I guess I lucked out. She was the first person I called.

I don't know where you live, but if you're in a rural-ish area like me, then only looking for phd's can put you at a disadvantage. I've had to travel over an hour for therapy in the last 4 years.

 

[saffy]

I don't think therapist ever can get enough training.

There are so many advances in diagnosis and treatment. Saying that I think it is about the persons qualities and ability to empathise which will make them good therapists.

I think also that therapists have different personalities and you have to be compatible with the one you choose. Feel safe. Feel they are empathising. A way to tell is listen to how you feel. Do you feel you are progressing. Do you feel positive.

That taken into account I think researching them carefully will at least give you a chance of finding a good one, but it will down to how they come across when you meet for the first time. :)

I would also say that whilst looking try and look at as many self help techniques as you can as you never know you might find one that is helpful. Anything from meditation to building life skills again.

I hope you find a good therapist and sorry I could not point you to one directly. :)

Best wishes
Saffy :)

 

[heidi]

In truth I need to see a therapist because I need to show others that I'm trying. If it were up to me I wouldn't see one at this moment. Last time I saw one it led me to being in the bad position of having to get on and then get off a medication that was very hard for me to get off of. It's also hard to deal with the fact that people don't think you're trying unless you're on drugs. So I guess I have to do both even though getting off the last medication was the best thing I could do for myself.

But I guess these and other frustrations are things I could stand to talk to a counselor about.

Sorry, I'm rambling. Thanks!

 

[Britt.f7]

So I guess I have to do both

You do not have to do both. Being on meds or not being on meds should be your choice, not anyone else's. I happen to be on meds, and they help me, but I am weaning myself off two, with doctor's knowledge, because I feel the need to. The other two there is no way I'm giving up because I know that they are working.

Therapy doesn't have to be the way it was with that last therapist and the drugs. You might just have to be firmer in your convictions against meds. They should be able to find alternative ways to help you.

You need to do what is best for you, not just what other's think. Take care of yourself and the rest will fall into place.

I wish you luck.