How To Find A Good Therapist?

[BlankCanvas]

Hi Ursa,

It's disappointing to hear that people would talk about DID being 'difficult' to handle. No wonder why discussing all of this over the phone is upsetting you! Hang tough :) Do you think you will stay with this new therapist or you going to keep looking? I wonder if you have a close friend/family member that might be able to make some phone calls for you to get some good leads?

 

[Ursa]

Hello BlanckCanvas

I am from another country and arrived here (USA) almost 4 years ago. Because of language barriers it took me a lot of time to make any friends at all. Now I have friends but they are not close enought that could get busy with these issues... actually I did not assume my condition yet and most of them did not know I was doing therapy in the first place. I try to avoid being a needdy person because it would make the few friends I could make here disapear. My husband is the only family member I have here but his work schedule does not allow him to do this work for me.
I appreciate your suggestion, it is just that it would not work in the situation I am in right now.

Talking about the therapist I really don't think I will stay with her, but my mind is not set yet. Sometimes what I think is a good idea is not 10 minutes later and viceversa. I try to do my best to avoid contradictions and take some time through some decisions. I set up 2 more interviews for tomorrow and Thursday and I will try to decide after those experiences. This is my first time doing "therapist shopping" but I think is important to be confortable about whoever is going to do this work.

 

[BlankCanvas]

Hi Ursa,

I can totally relate to you... What seems like a 'good idea' changes very quickly at times. Therapist shopping reminds me a lot of shopping for a wedding dress. When you find the right one, you know.

Sounds like you're doing some serious footwork, keep us posted on your search! :D

 

[Ursa]

I decided for a therapist.

Thanks everybody for the tips and PMs.

 

[sticks-and-stones]

I have the same problem.

My old support advisor is off work on sick leave and so I was fobbed off to another who really doesn't understand me at all. I went to her twice, but haven't and don't want to make another appointment.

The neurologist I spoke to yesterday (about something different) was shocked when I admitted that I had PTSD but wasn't getting professional help for it.

Thing is, I'm at university so you'd have thought it would be easy to get to see someone. No. They haven't referred me to the official counsellor because even though they know everything that's happened to me (the first advisor kept all my notes on file) I'm too good at putting on a brave face in sessions and they think everything's just fine.

Also, I've done some digging and it seems the counsellor only sees people for 6 to 8 weeks before handing us back to the advisor.

Or should I bypass that system and go back to my GP and ask if he can refer me to someone external?

I really can't be bothered to fight. I'm doing so much better now than I was over the summer but I know deep down that I'm not totally over it and some professional help would be good in the long run.

Any suggestions or ideas or experiences would be great. Thanks!

 

[hero2zero]

Do some research on the Therapist your insurance company sends you to... Someone mentioned a background check.. Good idea... Another would be his/her areas of expertise.

Prime example - Police officers from a large metropolitan police department who were involved in critical incidents were being sent to a sex therapist-by-trade. (I guess it may have been good in theory, because at least they had something to keep themselves occupied throughout all of those sleepless PTSD nights)

Typically, insurance carriers (including workers comp) will send you to the "lowest bidder". You get what you pay for though. Just because they have a bunch of fancy titles doesn't mean they'll help you.

I guess I was fortunate enough to have a lot of crazy coworkers who led me to my current doctor. Sure, he's a doctor, but what makes him great is that he's a human being first. He will make you laugh, cry, reflect, set goals and actually make you believe you still have a future. (That's something I haven't felt in just about 6 years.)

Finding a good therapist may take some time. If it doesn't work out after you've tried a few, just don't give up.

Maybe you can post where you're located and another member may be able to refer you to someone they've dealt with in your area?