Unhelpful Therapist

[Deleted member 29920]

Forgot to add- I went to rape Crisis for a drop in and they couldn't have been more helpful so not all free services are useless.

 

[Deleted member 29899]

@notsurewheretoturn 'private care can run into the thousands ....privilege of the weathy...'
I have been unable to work for years. I have spent THOUSANDS, and all those thousands came from my savings and what little I had saved for my pension. Little did I know that I would not have been recovered by now. There are many people who spent all their money on their health. I am trying to sell my wedding rings now for food. People do what they have to do. The 'non-rich' and poor, do what they have to do if they want good or great health care.
I had a govt psychotherapist call one of my children a filthy name. I left, rabid, with tears in my eyes. I rebooked an appointment demanding to see him a week later. I went in and demanded an apology. We basically sat there for an hour, him with a look of shame on his face and me having a panic attack and livid. When I think of it, it makes me sick. Finally after an hour (he amazingly) came clean. He said he had watched a dirty movie with teens in it the night before out appointment. What a shallow Neanderthal *sshole. So- those have been some of the things I've run into over the years, with free services.
Not sure why I shared that, I think I really needed to get that off my chest. I have no one to tell these things to. Thanks.
For anyone who has adequate free service, I'm really glad. There are not enough good therapists out there and even fewer who are skilled with PTSD.

 

[Deleted member 29920]

People like that should not be in these types of jobs. I don't care how long and hard they've studied to get there, the most important skill is empathy and many of them just don't have it. They certainly do not deserve the wage they get - £40000-£70000 a year???

Imok, I'm sorry that like me, you still haven't recovered. I'm glad you're here, sharing things, getting them off your chest, you have everyone on here you can share it with. I think it's empowering :)

I'm about to begin my trauma diary, as I have too much in my head...

 

[Deleted member 29899]

Thanks for the kindness @Cj77. I appreciate it. I wish u the best in yr recovery as well.
No, people like that shouldn't even be working with people at all. He's in the wrong job.
I find that the REALLY good ones are fully aware that they ARE good at what they do, therefore they go into private practice. They know their skill is worth the $140/hr (or whatever large price). Good for them. If I were a therapist and knew my skill rose above my colleagues I'd probably do the same. The only thing though, is that it's unfortunate for us people who don't have the money.

 

[Deleted member 29920]

Thank you @imok. Just because we don't have the money though , doesn't mean we don't deserve adequate help.

 

[GWhizz]

@imok I totally agree - I find the public services here are ill-equipped and under experienced. I'm actually currently attending a free service myself and let's just say, it's been more harmful and stress invoking at times. The problem with these services is that they're overworked and understaffed. My team have no particular specialty but tend to see and diagnose bpd a lot and did attempt to diagnose me with this and depression but later did a back turn when I protested. They also wanted to fob me off to a voluntary counselling service without any formal assessment or diagnosis as they just don't have the time to see me as a priority until I eventually admitted just how much I was self-harming and dissociating.

I don't even blame the service providers. How can they be expected to treat alcohol and drug abuse one minute and then a spectrum of mental health disorders the next? We know there's never a 'one fits all' service. So these services really need to think about breaking it down and specialising. Right now my service is very basic and generic. I have no other life-line right now due to financial struggles. So it's either be left to my own devices (which wasn't working) or try to guide the service by keeping up to date and informed myself. My therapist actually admitted last week she feels unsure of herself now after I brought some important facts to her attention.

Unfortunately it's up to us to advocate and keep these public services on their toes. Sigh :banghead:

 

[Deleted member 29899]

@GWhizz, then where will u be if this therapist is ill equipped to help you? Sounds like she's are that she does not have the knowledge or experience which is very unfortunate.
Yes. Understaffed and overloaded. Mind you that's the way it's been for decades. And for decades no one has been getting adequate service.
I'm left to my own devices. Which isn't good either. Without $ I see my option as - waiting a year to see someone who is not versed in PTSD and will ask me how they can help me. ! (Just my humble disappointed opinion in a system that doesn't work). Only my opinion.