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Old Nov 24, 2010, 06:53 AM
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Member Since: Oct 2006
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
Posts: 6,588
Make a list of what you need in a therapist. That list is like a job posting in a way.
For example - from my own list a year ago- "PTSD and Trauma experience. CSA experience."

At the bottom of the list, make a list of what you would LIKE to have in a therapist. Mine: "Willing to accept emails outside therapy as an extension of the therapy to a limited amount." Yours might be "Able to take emergancy phone calls after hours."

Then make a list of therapists in your area and start by calling them.
Naturally you will mark off those not accepting new clients and those who don't call you back.

For the Ts who do call back, ask them the questions on the list of your needs. "Do you have experience working with people who have PTSD?" Mark off those who do not have what you need from a T. Those who do have what you need, ask them if you can set up an interview with them just to get a feel for how they are as a therapist - to see if they will be a good match or not. Remember - you are the one hiring them!

Your list should be short by this time. Go to the interviews and take your list of wants. Be honest with your wants and just see how they respond to your questions. Allow yourself to go through your list of potential Ts BEFORE you pick one. Just thank the T for their time and let them know you will get back with them on what you decide. Be sure to follow up with Ts you don't pick and let them know you are going with someone else, but ask them if they would mind if you kept their number on hand incase the other T didn't work out. The way the T responds in this situation will tell you a lot about how they will act with you as a client!

Hope this helps!
Thanks for this!
jexa, Omers