EveHarrington
MyPTSD Pro
Something that I have noticed is that so many therapists believe that they can treat anybody, or a wide variety of disorders.
This is what lead therapy to fall apart for me with my newest therapist. I was told that she could help treat my OCD type symptoms as this is what I had requested. I reiterated this in every session. It got to a point where I said “No DBT, as I do not find it helpful for this issue”. Her response? “I need to terminate therapy as DBT and CBT are my specialty.” And at this point I’m dumbfounded.
From day 1 she pushed me to talk about my trauma and told me I have CPTSD. She instructed me to read up on Pete Walker and when I mentioned Judith Herman, and her 3 part model, the woman who coined the term “CPTSD” she said she wasn’t familiar with her or that approach. Hmm, interesting, considering she was pushing the idea that she was a trauma expert…. I will note that I did not want to talk about my trauma as that is not why I was there. I don’t believe I should be forced to process my trauma when that’s not the issue I need help with. If a person walked in with OCD symptoms and no trauma history, they’d get OCD treatment and not be distracted by other issues. Not everything leads back to trauma, and she couldn’t grasp this concept.
Moving on, in later sessions she kept pushing mindfulness on me and yeah, that’s great, but the basic form of this concept of being aware of my obsessions doesn’t do anything to stop them.
DBT isn’t even a first line or even second line type of treatment for OCD, hence my frustration with her belief that it could treat my symptoms. It’s insane to me that she actually thought THIS would be helpful for me.
I told my mom what happened and gave her the clinical manual to read. She even looked up DBT online and was like “uhhhh, this is a cult!” I seriously laughed so hard.
The nail in the coffin was that in my last session I was literally spouting off the crux of my obsessions and SHE WAS REASSURING ME the WHOLE session! Yeah, this is exactly what NOT to do as it just fuels the disorder, and anyone with a basic understanding of OCD would understand that.
So, it’s clear that she thinks she can help anyone, but in reality she can’t.
Interestingly since she’s a “senior” therapist there, my transfer to someone else happened quickly, but I’m dubious as to whether or not this person can treat OCD. I’ll call and find out though. (My last transfer took months.)
If you search for a therapist, you’ll find this same phenomenon ie that therapists think they can treat a wide variety of disorders. This is all found my viewing their online profiles. I REALLY need someone trained in treating OCD but I don’t think there’s anyone in my county.
I do have an appointment on Thursday with a therapist I saw once online. I couldn’t handle Skype therapy during the pandemic so did not continue. She has a modality that has helped me in the past so I am hopeful.
But yeah, this idea of a generalist therapist who can help “everyone” needs to die. Maybe if you have very minor symptoms? For certain disorders? But no, many people really need specialists. Yes, OCD can be treated by CBT, but it needs to be a modified version from what I’ve found so far.
Anyway, this is just my frustration in finding yet another new therapist.
This is what lead therapy to fall apart for me with my newest therapist. I was told that she could help treat my OCD type symptoms as this is what I had requested. I reiterated this in every session. It got to a point where I said “No DBT, as I do not find it helpful for this issue”. Her response? “I need to terminate therapy as DBT and CBT are my specialty.” And at this point I’m dumbfounded.
From day 1 she pushed me to talk about my trauma and told me I have CPTSD. She instructed me to read up on Pete Walker and when I mentioned Judith Herman, and her 3 part model, the woman who coined the term “CPTSD” she said she wasn’t familiar with her or that approach. Hmm, interesting, considering she was pushing the idea that she was a trauma expert…. I will note that I did not want to talk about my trauma as that is not why I was there. I don’t believe I should be forced to process my trauma when that’s not the issue I need help with. If a person walked in with OCD symptoms and no trauma history, they’d get OCD treatment and not be distracted by other issues. Not everything leads back to trauma, and she couldn’t grasp this concept.
Moving on, in later sessions she kept pushing mindfulness on me and yeah, that’s great, but the basic form of this concept of being aware of my obsessions doesn’t do anything to stop them.
DBT isn’t even a first line or even second line type of treatment for OCD, hence my frustration with her belief that it could treat my symptoms. It’s insane to me that she actually thought THIS would be helpful for me.
I told my mom what happened and gave her the clinical manual to read. She even looked up DBT online and was like “uhhhh, this is a cult!” I seriously laughed so hard.
The nail in the coffin was that in my last session I was literally spouting off the crux of my obsessions and SHE WAS REASSURING ME the WHOLE session! Yeah, this is exactly what NOT to do as it just fuels the disorder, and anyone with a basic understanding of OCD would understand that.
So, it’s clear that she thinks she can help anyone, but in reality she can’t.
Interestingly since she’s a “senior” therapist there, my transfer to someone else happened quickly, but I’m dubious as to whether or not this person can treat OCD. I’ll call and find out though. (My last transfer took months.)
If you search for a therapist, you’ll find this same phenomenon ie that therapists think they can treat a wide variety of disorders. This is all found my viewing their online profiles. I REALLY need someone trained in treating OCD but I don’t think there’s anyone in my county.
I do have an appointment on Thursday with a therapist I saw once online. I couldn’t handle Skype therapy during the pandemic so did not continue. She has a modality that has helped me in the past so I am hopeful.
But yeah, this idea of a generalist therapist who can help “everyone” needs to die. Maybe if you have very minor symptoms? For certain disorders? But no, many people really need specialists. Yes, OCD can be treated by CBT, but it needs to be a modified version from what I’ve found so far.
Anyway, this is just my frustration in finding yet another new therapist.
And lots of people on here are going through something similar—not that it makes it any better for you. You are a warrior to keep trying.
