Um. I dont get this? Dont get me wrong.. I think social workers can do WONDERFUL things for many clients. I am just very very very very nervous to start therapy with a social worker.

Are they trained in therapy and psychology? Are they trained in what can turn into severe MH issues?

My first fear is that we get started, and she says a few weeks in "I dont feel I can help you.. I need to refer you to the psychologist herself"

My second fear is that some of the intense trauma related stuff/DID i stuff etc is going to be completely overwhelming to her and shes not going to know what to do or possibly do something that could be retraumatizing.

Can someone tell me more about social workers as therapists?

I deal with BPD,DID, PTSD, panic disorder and POSSIBLY bipolar 2 and adhd.. who knows about the last two, they were just suggestions from the pdoc.. she said BPD can mirror symptoms of the last two so theres really no way to be SURE.

Should i just ask for the psychologist or should i give this social worker a try?

[Yoda]

About twenty years ago I was in therapy with a social worker. She counseled domestic violence victims. She was an excellent therapist. If I recall correctly she had a masters degree. I think that is pretty much required to counsel but that could be a regional/state thing.

The most important thing is finding somebody YOU can connect with.

Good luck.

[ECHOES]

bowzz, I used to insist on a psychologist... had many years of useless therapy.

Then I searched for a psychoanalytic therapist and got a referral from the psychoanalytic institute near me. I was astonished when we met and I learned she is a LMHC, licensed mental health counsellor with a masters in social work. She's been a therapist for 20 years. She is wonderful--the best therapist I've ever had. I hope you will give your new T a try and see how it goes

[rainbow8]

Did you ask your pdoc WHY he referred you to this particular social worker? He must have had a reason. Maybe she/he does have the kind of experience that your pdoc thinks will help you.

My first T was a social worker. She told me that she regularly saw someone to help her help me. But she hadn't been in practive for too long. I imagine there are social workers who have just as much experience as psychologists, but I know they are trained differently. Someone else can probably tell you more about that. My social worker seemed to understand psychology pretty well, and was the first to diagnose me with BPD. I'm sure she did that in conjunction with the consultant she saw. In retrospect, it probably would have been better for me just to see the more experienced psychologist or psychiatrist first, but I think my social worker was competent.

In my opinion, because you have DID, you need someone very experienced. Have you seen a T before? Again, I would ask your pdoc why he referred you to this particular person.

My T is a social worker with over 20 years of experience, and she rocks!

[googley]

Rainbowzz-

I'm sorry you are feeling so uncertain. Social workers can be trained to do clinical work, it depends on what the focus on in school. If they are a LCSW or a LICSW (though licensing names change depending on state) they are certified to do therapy. I work with social workers who do therapy with trauma victims. They are all excellent at their work and work with women who have complex and multiple diagnosis. Some of the difference is the amount of training in research that comes with a PhD and is not included as much in a MSW. Match is the same with social workers as it would be for a psychologist. It may be that your Pdoc thinks this social worker would be a good match for you and has training in working with trauma victims. I would suggest going to see her and asking her your questions. She will be able to tell you how she was trained and her previous experience. I hope that you find what you are looking for.

[Indie'sOK]

I think my T is a LMHC, and she sounds like she knows what she's talking about. I had a social worker a couple years ago as well, and she didn't help me at all. I don't think she was a bad counselor, we just didn't connect. I think it really depends on the person.

If she's good at what she does and she connects with you, I think it could go very well. Good luck

Im a T/Social Worker.
Yes - we are trained to deal with severe mental health issues.
I myself have DID. Finding a social worker with experience in that particular area will take as much effort as finding someone with a background in psychology.
One thing I must say is that usually a social worker is more in touch with community resources than is someone from a psychology background.
I'd say give the SW'er a try. If not, ask for a referral.
It's not so much the degree, as it is the individual therapist and their experience.

[Elysium]

Hey there...

I agree...give her a try!!

I had some really bad experiences with Psychologists and Psychiatrist when I was younger, so all I wanted to do was see LCSW's for the longest time. My old T was an LCSW and she was excellent for treating my Complex PTSD and helping me with my Depression.

In being diagnosed with DID a few months back, I had the experience of working with some Psychologists with their PhD's and they were excellent as well. I have since switched therapists to one that specializes in DID, but only because my old T didn't feel she had the experience/training that she needed to treat me. We still have an occasional check in session, but are working towards full termination. My new T is also an LCSW and she is amazing!!!

One thing I've found...and these are just my observations; I have found that P-Docs are very clinical and can be stuffy, unless you find one that does psychoanalytic therapy in his practice. Psychologists have also seemed to me to be more clinical, and have seemed to be more interested in researching me than helping me with my issues...that came secondary. With the LCSW's, I feel like they are more in tune with community and that they don't have all their texts books shoved up where the sun don't shine. I don't feel like they look down their noses at me and I don't feel like a research project. (Totally not meaning to say P-docs and PsyD's are bad....they're not!! These are just the perceptions I have formed).

Regardless of whom you choose to see or what degree that person has, I think the most important thing is finding a person who has the experience and training for what you need them for, and that you both click with eachother.

[Kiya]

"My second fear is that some of the intense trauma related stuff/DID i stuff etc is going to be completely overwhelming to her and shes not going to know what to do or possibly do something that could be retraumatizing."

A highly valid question - you have every right to call and ask the SW straight up before you go - let them know what they're up against (no offense, I'm DID too along with like 5 other things). DID is not something to walk into untrained. Most Master level therapists can't even deal with it.
That said, I have a great social worker who totally gets DID better than my PsyD and can tell immediately when I 've swapped out. But that is because she's worked with (only) one other person and is a skillful observer of people.
Best!

[sunrise]

Your pdoc probably didn't refer you to this therapist because she was a social worker but because of her expertise in a specific area that would be helpful to you or because he thinks your personalities would be a good fit. I don't think the degree the therapist has makes a lot of difference. What is probably more important is their experience, specialty focus areas, and their therapeutic approach. Some social workers could be CBT, others could be humanist, and others psychodynamic. Just the same as other types of therapists, who can have different approaches. If it were me, I would ask pdoc why he recommended this particular individual. When I was looking for a family therapist for me and my daughter, I asked my T to recommend someone and I told him I wanted someone who worked with teens, rather than focused on couples. He gave me someone's name (who we did do therapy with) and later told me he selected this individual because he thought we would both get along well with him and also because this family T was kind of shy and he knew my daughter was shy, and thought this would be a good fit for her especially (she might be overwhelmed by an extrovert). So this was a very simple reason he recommended this T. Your pdoc probably has his reasons too and can share them with you.

[cmac13]

I personally am a social worker and my therapist is a social worker with 37 years of clinical practice under her belt! It is about the connection and the relationship that heals. Personally the psychiatrists I have known and met do not approach the therapeuatic relationship like the social workers I know. My therapist uses a humanistic approach...

[peaches100]

My t is a licensed, clinical social worker with 20 years of experience. I think she is very knowledgable, in tune, and hardworking with me. She has at times, though, had to get additional training to help me with my complex issues.

[Christina86]

Originally Posted by Rainbowzz

Um. I dont get this? Dont get me wrong.. I think social workers can do WONDERFUL things for many clients. I am just very very very very nervous to start therapy with a social worker.

Are they trained in therapy and psychology? Are they trained in what can turn into severe MH issues?

In my experience, yes they can be excellent therapists and able to deal with MH issues. My ... 2nd? therapist actually was a social worker... had that accreditation but actually worked as a therapist for my university. I really liked her.

[MissCharlotte]

(Rainbowz)

My T is a social worker. He is an LCSW; with advanced training in psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, somatics, and who knows what else. He's an excellent therapist, and well qualified to deal with my complex ptsd, dissociation, depression, etc.

She/he may or may not be able to help you but it won't necessarily be because of the initials after her name.

ahhhhh

THANK YOU everyone!

You have made me feel alot more comfortable.

Im really hoping I didnt offend anyone by saying this - definetly was not my intent.