I would NOPE!!! my way out of there so fast heads would be spinning. This is not safe and not supportive and harmful instead of helpful.
In session one, I gave my T a list of topics that I would want to address, so he knew what was going to be on tap in the long haul (what? Me trying to scare someone off by how broken I am? Nooooo, never. Watch out for the puddle...the sarcasm is beyond dripping). And followed it up by saying "I don't know where to start, but the sexual abuse is not it; it's the only thing on the list that is off limits right now". He respected that. He even avoided questions about my anxiety that could brush up against the CSA, recognizing that it would take time for me to trust him. He was prepared to wait as long as I needed to bring it up.
Could you try something similar? Do you have other issues you could address to start with something less scary and develop a rapport with the T before starting on trauma work?
Wait. That was a stupid question. You DO have other things to discuss: the effect of the previous T's behaviours on you. That was NOT appropriate behaviour, especially from so called "trauma therapists". And how new T handles that discussion should give you a good idea about how he/she will handle your therapy.
Good luck
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stava
Hi all  I'm new here. I've been having a particularly difficult time lately and have sought professional help.
So far I've seen three different therapists. I'm not sure what is usual or not for therapy sessions and hope to hear more about other's experiences.
I informed all the therapists that I have dissociation and trauma and CPTSD. I told them that I tend to have difficulty function from dissociating. The first therapist immediately pushed me to talk about trauma. I dissociated so extremely that I couldn't drive afterward. I just sat in my car for hours until I could drive. The second appointment I told him about the difficulty I had and told him that I didn't want to talk about trauma until I felt I had more tools in place and I felt safer. He kept asking me trauma questions and wanted me to talk about trauma.
Is this normal? Do therapists often keep pushing clients into talking about abuse immediately? Is this a therapeutic technique?
The third therapist I pre-screened. I asked her if she had experience with trauma survivors and dissociation. She said yes. I asked if she's able to be caring and compassionate toward trauma survivors and she said yes and shared some nice things. She seemed nice. The first visit went ok, she talked about dissociation.
During the second visit she became aggressive, impatient and frightening. She kept edging her chair closer to mine while getting louder and more scary. I was obviously uncomfortable and went into a protective stance but she kept doing it.
Then she said the abuse was my fault because I allowed it. Then she said that I wasn't abused, I just thought I was because I'm sensitive. I was full on dissociating and trying to survive at this point. Then she stood up and walked around the room a bit, then came and towered over me, with me cowering in the chair looking at the floor. Then she said that "it wasn't abuse, you're just too sensitive, right??" and made me agree because she was towering over me and leaning in closer to me.
Is this a technique?? I'm so traumatized right now. I thought therapy was supposed to be about creating a safe space and I'm so confused.
TL;DR How did you find a good therapist and what do you consider a good therapist? |