[llafitte93]

I know everyone has different preferences when it comes to therapists, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to see if there's a common expectation for those of us with BPD. So here it goes!

What are your expectations of your therapist working with your BPD? Is there anything you fear going into counseling? I'd just like some insight as an aspiring counselor.

Hi
I was diagnosed with BPD and major Depression in April of 2011, and then placed on a waiting list for DBT. I started the program in October of 2011. I had no idea what to expect.
I hated group at first, but I got used to it. I had a great individual therapist too.
I flunked out 8 months in to a 12 month long program, but am getting back in ASAP. My flunking out was my fault and had nothing to do with the program.
Hope that was helpful.

[PrairieCat]

Originally Posted by llafitte93

I know everyone has different preferences when it comes to therapists, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to see if there's a common expectation for those of us with BPD. So here it goes!

What are your expectations of your therapist working with your BPD? Is there anything you fear going into counseling? I'd just like some insight as an aspiring counselor.

I will see my psych next week and I look forward to this. We are upping my mood stabilizer, as I can only take a tiny bit of antidepressant. I will ask him to refer me to a therapist in case I get into any trouble in my daily living. I had a wonderful free therapist for 4 mos. when I had PTSD. I will be forever grateful to her. I had a psychologist for a few months but he was asleep most of the time, a very old fellow, too old (77). The wonderful free therapist referred me to a couple of counselors but they did not work out, a big joke. I have written the following about a bad therapist I had for a long time. When I left, I did not say goodbye to her. You can guess what her last words were to me!

THE SORRY THERAPIST
I’m sorry, so sorry
I apologize
I’m sorry for all of
Your misfortunes
I’m so sorry, so very sorry
I’m sorry I’m a therapist
‘Cause I’m a sorry one
I’m sorry I exist
As I cannot help you
At all
All I can do is say
I’m sorry
Over and over
And over and over
I’m so sorry.
Oh, so sorry.
I’m sorrreeeee.

[PrairieCat]

Originally Posted by PrairieCat

I will see my psych next week and I look forward to this. We are upping my mood stabilizer, as I can only take a tiny bit of antidepressant. I will ask him to refer me to a therapist in case I get into any trouble in my daily living. I had a wonderful free therapist for 4 mos. when I had PTSD. I will be forever grateful to her. I had a psychologist for a few months but he was asleep most of the time, a very old fellow, too old (77). The wonderful free therapist referred me to a couple of counselors but they did not work out, a big joke. I have written the following about a bad therapist I had for a long time. When I left, I did not say goodbye to her. You can guess what her last words were to me!

THE SORRY THERAPIST
I’m sorry, so sorry
I apologize
I’m sorry for all of
Your misfortunes
I’m so sorry, so very sorry
I’m sorry I’m a therapist
‘Cause I’m a sorry one
I’m sorry I exist
As I cannot help you
At all
All I can do is say
I’m sorry
Over and over
And over and over
I’m so sorry.
Oh, so sorry.
I’m sorrreeeee.

I expect a therapist to listen to me with no distractions. I want her/him to hear me and to understand my words. I want a therapist who KNOWS about bipolar disorder and who can explain it to me, whatever actions I have been taking, if I am being reckless, if I am out of control or hypomanic. I want a therapist to be able to help me if I am depressed. I want a therapist who can answer my questions with confidence. I need her to ask me why I choose damaged people to be in my life, male and female and to help me with that issue. She/he needs to be extremely knowledgeable and not just a young kid starting out because I am an older woman. I need a compassionate therapist who can actually SHOW compassion. "But I don't need no stinkin' I'm sorreeeeeees."

[technigal]

My therapist gets BPD and explains things so well. I never feel put down or judged. She really helps me understand my actions and emotions. She puts the medical stuff into words that I can understand. My therapist understands DBT and is getting me prepared for that (supposed to start in January).

to have a T that actually cares, not go through the motions and treat me like a client. One that really listens well and takes into account the things I say not just categorize everything, analyze by the book and all that shizz. Needless to say I haven't found one and have stopped looking.