*Trigger Warning* T Exploitation and Sexual Abuse

I don't know if I did the trigger warning properly. Triggering for sexual abuse and exploitation by a therapist.
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I have DID. I was diagnosed when I was in my late teens. I sought treatment from a therapist who specialized in trauma. She molested me. I didn't know what to do, so I kept seeing her. Since then, I've never told anyone about my DID or what she did. I'm trying to see a new T, but I just don't trust them. I'm so traumatized. I lose time.

wecome. not sure if you know this but two years ago the USA went through some major changes in how mental disorders are diagnosed and treated...

my point is that its now very rare to have what happened to you happen now, compared to 12-20 years ago (another post said you have a 12 year old son with schizophrenia so Im guessing you are in your late 20's to 30's and that your diagnosis and mistreatment \abuse by past therapist happened at least 20 years ago) my point to help ease your anxiety on being in or seeking out therapy based on past history of a treatment provider having abused you.

also with this change over to the new diagnostic standards many who received their diagnosis beyond two years ago are now having to undergo new diagnostics \their own diagnosis being compared \re-evaluated to the new diagnostics. many in the past with a diagnosis of DID are upset when their treatment providers are now having to diagnose them with another mental disorder where their dissociative symptoms are better explained than with DID....

my point since your diagnosis was so far in the past when you were a teen ager please dont let it upset you if when seeing a treatment provider now in the present changes your diagnosis because your past diagnosis symptoms and criteria do not add up to the present DID diagnostics...if you end up being switched over to another dissociative disorder or other mental disorder than now includes DID and dissociative like symptoms it just means all your symptoms and problems are better explained with the new diagnostic label.

you can read about the present diagnostics for dissociative disorders that america now goes by in my link at the bottom of my post. or visit a library and ask for the new DSM 5, or your new therapist can explain to you how you fit in with the new diagnostics and what new labeling they now have to use on the files and insurance forms. your treatment providers should also by now have their copy of the DSM 5.

Goodness sakes! Please do see another T! Only a T can help you work through this... and put it into perspective. (((safe hug)))

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How do I find one? Like, is there a way to vet them? I just feel like I make a really good victim. I want to get better, not worse. I reported the T that abused me, it came out that she abused nearly all her patients, and she's still licenced and practicing.

What an upsetting experience. I'm sorry you had that happen to you. Of course you'd be reluctant about working with another therapist. But, hang in there. That was one person, and probably they should have been reported for malpractice or abusive conduct or something. That was totally outrageous behavior for an adult working with a teenager or a therapist working with anyone. It breaks their code of conduct.

You can find a reputable therapist by talking with other health professionals you trust, like your primary physician. You can also talk with friends about finding one without revealing your original diagnosis. That's private information. You don't have to tell anyone about that. Hope this helps.

This is very helpful. I'm in my early 30s. So it was a really long time ago. I don't care a whole lot about what my official DX is, I just want to feel better. I just feel so awful all the time.

I found my therapist through the ISSTD - the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.

They have a 'Find a Therapist' link here that helped me: Find a Therapist

It might be one resource, anyway.

Was it the DSM III back then or is this an alter's age speaking? Hopefully this wasn't because of me changing from DSM IV to DSM V my story is very messy dealing with exploitation etc. I don't think so, but anyway. I stumbled on a website, in fact I was warned about this post not in word for word terms but I was led here this morning. I'm guessing I'm connected with someone on this website. I have yet to get any I'm sorry for those who exploited me all visually and few other crimes, including cyber. I'm not sure what state your in but there is a fabulous website, how therapist abuse their clients. Lynette's Law Maryland. It not only has sexual abuse by a therapist, but also ways that you wouldn't even begin to know as abuse. Like who knows that to be abuse going in. I would contact a lawyer if I was you. Compare that to a teacher being involve with a student. Unethical.

I had no idea this happened to anyone else. Thank you.

I'm sorry that you went through all that. It's been so long that I'm sure the statute of limitations has run out, but I bet, maybe file a complaint with the Board of Counselers and Therapists for your state?

Be well.

I did file with the board after it happened. She was suspended for a few weeks (6 maybe) and then she returned to work.

I'm sorry you were molested by a therapist. It is unconscionable that a therapist would take advantage of a client in that way.

I was sexually exploited by a previous psychiatrist, too. That psychiatrist is a male. There were seven victims that came forward....so you're not the only one...and neither am I. I found a therapist who specialized in therapy exploitation at the time and she helped me a lot.

I had to move after a few years and I refused to get back into therapy for fifteen years due to the exploitation abuse issues. Two years ago, I found a genuine, caring ethical female psychologist and I'm so lucky to have found her. She was the second therapist I interviewed in this state.

My PM's are open if you would like to talk to me..
Or reply here. That's fine, too.
Good luck with the therapist search. Interview a few...you are not obligated to see the first one...or any of them.