Therapy - Difficulties With Therapist

[trapped]

I shouldn't be wasting space by posting this, but I've got to get it out and tell someone about it...

My therapist is an unethical b.... she is totally not understanding at all with the flashbacks. The other day there was lots of thunder, and that is one of the triggers for my flashbacks. My therapist was making fun of me because I have this stuffed animal I have to carry around (at least somewhat, like it has to sit in my lap when I drive, etc) whenever there's thunder and/or the flashbacks are getting really bad, as it keeps me from dissociating quite as badly.

She's also said in the past before how stupid it is for me to be afraid of flying. I'm not afraid of the actual flying, I'm even only a couple hours away from my pilot's license. But I can't fly on commercial flights without being drugged up. It's not the flying really. It's the fact that I have severe claustrophobia. That as a child my dad locked me in the trunk of a car for hours. That I've been flying on a plane that was hit by lightening when I was a kid and was flying all by myself, and that was scary as hell. That I was sexually molested on a plane.

And lately I've developed a phobia of dogs. To the point where even if the dog is 2 football field lengths away, I'll still have an uncontrolable panic attack. My therapist told me that was stupid and irrational. Then today, without telling me, she brought in a dog into the room and tried to force me to play with the dog for the whole session. No discussing it before hand. No warning. She hasn't even worked with me on relaxation techniques yet, which I've been asking her to do. I finally got up and walked out and went into one of the other therapy rooms and made it quite clear I'd keep moving to a different room or leave if she brought the animal in with her.

Am I just being really unrational? Is it wrong that I feel upset and feel like my trust has been betrayed?

 

[pandora]

Sounds like yoou need to fing a therapist that you can trust totally..we already have problems with that...keep looking.

 

[Leda]

You are definitely NOT stupid and irrational! Get another therapist as soon as possible - this one seems to be retraumatizing you rather than helping you to cope with your PTSD.

 

[cherryblossom]

I have to agree with Pandora and Leda. You need to find another therapist. Even if you do not find a new therapist right away, I think you should stop seeing this one. Having no therapy would surely be better than seeing this person. To call you stupid and irrational is out of order, totally unprofessional, and down right rude.

I wish you well in finding someone who will help, rather than hinder you.

 

[TLight]

Get another freakin therapist.

 

[teejaye]

You deserve so much better than what your therapist is doing. She is TOTALLY unethical, like you say. To me, it seems she has no idea what she is doing. Therapists, friends, family, co-workers, etc. should all validate your feelings and encourage you. I mean, you have this amazing coping skill that works (your stuffed animal) and a decent therapist would recognize that it's AWESOME that you came up with that idea!
Obviously, you are intelligent, introspective, and have sharp instincts. Probably you are with a therapist who is not as advanced as you are in understanding PTSD and anxiety.
Please let us know how it goes for you ... and remember you deserve a lot better!

 

[2quilt]

Dump this bitch therapist and report her to the state psychological association for unethical behavior.
We love you the way you are!

 

[cherryblossom]

I shouldn't be wasting space by posting this, but I've got to get it out and tell someone about it...

By the way, I meant to say you are not wasting space :smile:

 

[kers]

Just curious, what were her words for some of these incidents? Sometimes we read attacks where there are none, due to hypervigilance. I'm not saying that's the case, just that it's worth exploring. Have you been able to address her behavior with her, or are you not comfortable doing so? (which speaks volumes about how effective the therapy is, anyway)

 

[Lisa]

Doesn't sound this is the therapist for you.... ! She should discuss flooding or exposure therapy before she implements it... it's unethical and abusive on that alone that she did that without speaking to you about it first. You have a right to be asked what treatment you agree to, and a right to refuse it... and the flooding technique applies all the same - and especially, because of the distress it can cause if not handled appropriately.

She did not handle that appropriately.

With everything else too...frankly it sounds like she just isn't tuned in and is disrespectful and abusive.

Therapists are a mixed bag, in my experience. I work as a psych assistant (or did before I got sick and had to take time off), and it's an attractive job to those who want to help... but also to those who enjoy enhancing the power difference. As somebody asking for help, it makes you vulnerable, which makes any therapist obligated to treat you with appropriate care.

In my view... sounds like theres not a lot appropriate, nor caring.

Change your therapist, for your sake. I've been on the recieving end of abusive therapy before... it took me YEARS to get anywhere close to past it.

 

[freya]

I too think it's best to find another therapist. If she actually said that something you do is 'stupid' that to me is reason enough to drop her.

Sounds like maybe you know more about PTSD and how to treat it than she does?

 

[Mina]

Another vote for getting a new therapist. I agree with 2quilt about reporting her as well. Goodness knows what damage she might also be doing to other clients if those are her techniques...!