[Bluenosette]

Good day,

I just started seeing a Psychologist for the first time in March of this year. I really do like her. Since starting therapy she has referred me to other medical professionals, and I do have a great support system set up. I had a consultation at a sleep clinic recently, and after speaking to the doctor there they told me I needed to find a therapist who specializes in PTSD treatment. My current therapist has experience dealing with trauma, but not PTSD in particular. Is it really that important I change? The thought of starting over with someone new is... I don't know how to explain it, sorry. I just can't imagine.

Thank you

[Open Eyes]

I understand your nervousness, but with someone who is an experienced PTSD treatment provider, rather then just a trauma specialist, your therapy will be better tailored to your need in how to handle what challenges the PTSD can present.

(((Hugs)))
OE

[Leah123]

I absolutely understand your concern about considering changing therapists. I recommend you consider the following, as I do not believe it's black or white as to whether it's necessary to change, depending on your answers:

1. Have you seen improvement?

2. Is your therapist confident that she can continue to serve you, including being willing to do ongoing education herself, if needed, to give you more tools?

3. Do you have a strong therapeutic alliance? I believe a lot of the healing that happens in relationship is in the bond itself, this has been true for me, and there is research to support it.

4. Certain types of therapy have been shown in studies to be most helpful for PTSD: some studies mention CBT or EMDR, for example. Does your therapist provide a type of therapy that is conducive to healing your symptoms? (In my case, I don't find either of those perfect, and we use other methods, so I don't think one size necessarily fits all, because along w/PTSD we're all unique and may have other challenges and strengths with which to work.)

5. What does your therapist believe is best? Her first obligation is to your healing, including referring you to someone who can help you better if she ever believes it would be beneficial or necessary.

Hope that helps!

[skeksi]

I think Leah123's suggestions are good. My therapist is not a PTSD specialist, and we opted to continue working together at my request (my reasoning being that he was the first person I had ever begun to trust and I had a positive working relationship with him). He's doesn't have training in things like EMDR, but he's familiar with lots of other approaches that have been helpful to me.

I think it's a good conversation to have with your therapist so that you could evaluate your options. The other thing to remember is, you could try seeing someone else and do not feel it's a better fit for your needs, you can always return to your current therapist.

[ThisWayOut]

I think the above-mentioned points/questions are good for starting a conversation with yourself and/or your current T.

I found that when I started seeing a therapist experienced in one of my specific traumas, it felt easier to open up about that stuff. It's not that my past therapists have been necessarily difficult to trust, but this one asked some very specific questions that no one had asked before... She also does a lot of CBT and DBT stuff, which is good in a pinch (though not my preferred style)

[Bluenosette]

Thank you all very much for your responses. It has given me a lot to think about. I have to keep reminding myself that there are no set guidelines. Everyone is different, and different things work for different people. I guess I was just hoping for a quick fix, and I didn't realize this was going to be such a long rocky road. Thanks again everyone.

It is a long, rocky road, but healing is possible!

If you are comfortable with your current therapist, stick with her.

You'll both learn good stuff while working on your healing process.