Therapist is unwilling to work on trauma that happened in therapy...

I'm so sorry that you're dealing with... I only skimmed the responses, so forgive me if I'm repeating, but I agree that most university counseling centers are probably not set up for trauma work. Sadly.

When I started grad school... I had *just* (like a month before) been diagnosed by an expert with a dissociative disorder. And, that diagnosis had caused my then-T to stop seeing me, because he had no experience with dissociative stuff (and we didn't have very good rapport, but it was still upsetting).

Oh, and I was laid off about the same time. Luckily, my grad school was funded.

But, as you can imagine, it was a crazy, stressful time. I had asked the "consult T" if she recommended anyone at my school's counseling center, and oddly - she did!

So, I set up an appointment. And the woman seemed happy enough to meet with me and talk. *sigh*.

Then she said pretty much what you've heard, that they're not set up for long-term care. In fact, she said, "We don't see students long term, unless they don't have any insurance or other options."

I said, "Wait! I'm a student, all I have is crappy student insurance through the school that doesn't cover therapy! So... you can see me?"

Nope!

THEN - knowing this woman also worked part time at a sliding scale kinda' place, I asked if I could see her there... since I had been referred to her, and she had expertise in my stuff (which is hard to find).

Nope. No explanation. Just nope.

Best part - no referrals at all! Just "sorry, we can't help". I... I'm struggling to express how awful that was, without getting saying something super triggery for everyone else. It was just *awful* and crazy-making.

Sorry for the side story. I ended up writing a letter (!) to another therapist that had expertise in dissociative stuff, explaining that I was a student, and asking if she could see me on a sliding scale. She could! So, that might be one way to proceed - if you can find someone else that you think you might like?

I hope you can find someone trustworthy. It IS weirdly difficult, isn't it?!!

(Edit: Sorry if I overshared. It just brought up memories of how awful that time was, and how stupid all the people that were supposed to be helping were, and how.. ugh.. I can't really count on anyone but myself. Didn't mean for that to run over your thread! *hugs*)

I have C-PTSD too, so I can relate to the anguish of it.
I also can understand wanting more engaging activities. are you social? Maybe you can try something on meet up or look for a local game night group or something.

Hopefully somehow you find something that works for you.

Hi HD!

Thank you for your support!!

I think this therapist may not have the training to help you. Telling you that the trauma resulting from therapy abuse has to do with your childhood abuse is just preposterous. It sounds like she really doesn't know what she doesn't know. Also, her other responses to your situation are really unprofessional. If you stay with her, you risk being further retraumatized. To say the least, you may get frustrated and feel like you are just pulling teeth.

In fact, I think it is worth it to find a provider in the community that specializes in trauma. EMDR is one of the treatments for trauma.

According to scientific evidence, it has helped so many people suffering from traumatic experiences: war veterans, abuse situations, car accidents, bullying among other traumatic situations.

I hope you are able to connect with an EMDR provider. You do not need to retell every single detail. You would share about an event. Then when you do EMDR all similar situations get processed at the same time.

I did get what I was looking for and I never needed to go back to the university after my referral. I didn't feel like they could help me anyways. I just stuck to the therapist they referred me to and everything worked out better for me.