I think the personality of the T has more to do with how therapy goes than their training does. I have worked with two different T’s (one on the east coas and one in the Midwest. They do not know eachother) that both earned their PhDs at the same exact school 3 years apart. Both have about 35 years of experience and are licensed psychologists in their state.

T1 specialized in trauma and did a lot of CBT based work. They were able to help me with symptom management but did not feel that it was possible for me to experience any deeper level of healing. They were very directive and prescriptive in their approach but warm. I did feel a connection and some level of trust. In a bit over 2 years of working with them I did manage to have significantly better control over flashbacks and body memories but continued other unconscious negative patterns. There was never any discussion of transference even though there was some of it that I would have benefited from discussing with them.

T2 is my current T... AKA awesome T. Graduated from the same exact school three years after T1 with their PhD. They provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples and families and see all age ranges but mostly adults. They have extensive training (continuing education) in group therapy (if they specialized this would be it as it is their favorite), psychodrama, and experiential therapy. They are much more interested in my feelings and are very eager and optimistic that they can help me achieve a much deeper level of healing. There has been some transference in this relationship which we talk very openly and freely about. T has been able to both be very structured and directive when I didn’t know what to do or when I don’t feel safe enough. When I have something I want/need to do T steps back and let’s me run with it. He will offer ideas from his trainings of options I may not have thought of. T is incredibly kind, compassionate and nurturing with IMO appropriate boundaries.

Again, both came out of the same school and both are state licensed psychologists and members of the American Psychological Association. How they treat me is night and day different.