I think credentials are important too....but they don't tell the whole story. So, here's mine and sorry it's so long.

I have had several T's, all Psychologists. This time, I called the Psychoanalytic Institute in the largest city near me and asked if they had a candidate (a student of the institute who must meet very high standards to be accepted, and who is arleady a practicing therapist) in my area they could refer me to. I wanted psychoanalytic psychotherapy after doing research even though I didn't know I was Borderline at that time as I do now.

I was referred to a *wonderful* therapist that i like so much and who has been there for me more than any other therapist in my 12 years of treatment. She didn't diagnose me, but after almost a year with her I told her I thought that Borderline seemed to 'fit' and did she agree... she did, readily. She'd thought so for some time but didn't want me to feel assaulted with a diagnosis (I'd told her about the last Psychologist who abuptly slapped 2 diagnoses on me and my stunned reaction to that). I really appreciated her concern around that.

So long story, sorry. But what I want to say is that this therapist who I am so glad I found, who is so supportive and gentle and firm at the same time, is not a Psychologist. She's a MS, LMHC. (Masters, Licensed Mental Health Counselor). I wasn't sure about those credentials at first, and I would not have even considered going to someone with those credentials several years ago. But she is just what I want and need.

Also, when we first met I was concerned about expense because my insurance at that time didn't include her in their network. (my insurance since changed to a high-deductible plan with a $3000.00 deductible so I pay out of my own pocket anyway.) She offered to help me find someone else If I wanted to use my insurance, and that some therapists do not list all the diagnoses they treat [because insurance likes only short-term therapies and some diagnoses (like Borderline) imply long term treatment] and she thought she might know some on my insurance company's list. .. So, I wanted to encourage you to call the ones you find and see them once or twice in person and see what they have to say about whom they treat.