therapist who 'specializes' in specific issues

I'm curious about this: what makes a therapist 'specialize' in certain problems such as 'molestation'? I would think that a good therapist can help a client with almost any problem. What additional training does a 'molestation specialist' have that another thoroughly trained, well-credentialed therapist does not? Isnt' being a therapist a specialty in itself? Just curious.

I had a therapist who specialized in AODA (even though that's not one of my problems). Her dad was an alcoholic and she chose to work in a field that could help her cope with that while helping other people. She writes papers and does research on the subject, while being a therapist for people with all sorts of problems, not just alcohol and drugs.

My pdoc (the one I'm leaving) specializes in post-stroke depression. It's usually a combination of their research interest and their personal issues, at least in my experience.

Candy

our answer isn't meant to sound flippant

it is kinda like asking why go to a neurosurgeon instead of a internist/general practioner when they're both M.D.s

because the speciality a professional chooses to enter usually requires a set number of hours of education ( most quite high) in that area and to maintain licensure most require ongoing credit hours of a much lesser amount.

we'd rather talk with a therapist who has training in what special needs a survivor of molestation requires than a therapist who passed through the "molestation" part of their coursework for their degree.......they might be proficient but not up to date in latest proceedures or changes to field.

comes down to individual pref. some ppl never seek out specialists and do just fine with run of the mill therapists. others have different needs which can be better met by those who have trained and practiced their specialities.

make sense? sorry if simplistic. not really up to delving into why a therapist, or anyone, would choose specific fields. maybe their own history?

it means that they have had specific coursework in molestation and abuse and have attained a special certification--from what I have been told.

My ex-therapist had a "specialty" of "trauma-PTSD". He'd taken additional courses/classes/seminars, etc. regarding PTSD-trauma as well as did his internship working with trauma survivors (VA hospitals, etc).

I think my main concern in seeking a therapist with a specialty would be asking them how many clients they've treated with this specific issue, have they studied it, have a good understanding on the effects in our lives, etc. You could ask those things over the phone, then interview them further in an initial meeting.

Good luck and let us know?

KD

My therapist specializes in bipolar. She leads workshops to educate other therapists about the disorder & treats mostly bipolar people. She has helped me understand the disorder better & thus improve the quality of my life.--Suzy

Yes, a good therapist can help with lots/most problems but like everyone else, the therapist has things that interest him/her more than others. Could be personal reasons or just something that attracted them when they were studying/working to become a therapist. Think of the various mental illnesses; would you be interested in all of them equally if you were a therapist?