Choosing a therapist

Still trying to figure out which therapist to see... I'm just so uncomfortable about this... I wish I could just take some test to determine which would be best for me! I know I can switch if it's not working out, but I only have until May or June with whoever I see, and want to avoid wasting any time like that. Maybe you guys can help me figure it out?

My issues are major depression, tendency towards suicide and negative thinking, loneliness and disconnectedness from others with problems trusting and being vulnerable, unhealthy eating patterns, some self-image issues and someone in the hospital who I trust thinks I have deeply hidden anger issues. History of self injury and BPD. Causes are chemical, childhood rejection/abandonment/bullying by peers, and emotional issues with mom.

These are the ones I can choose from:

Men:

"W. K.", Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Associate Director
Theoretical Orientation - Humanistic/Existential
Interest Areas:
» Understanding and integrating spirituality in psychotherapy
» How and when to focus on the existential aspects of issues in therapy
» Supervision and training
» Relational aspects of therapy

-This is the person I saw when I went in suicidal. I liked him, but I'm not sure about his theoretical orientation, it sounds kinda off, like it might not sit well with my Christian beliefs, but I'm really not sure.

"E. K.", Psy.D., Coordinator of Crisis Intervention & ACES
Theoretical Orientation - Cognitive Behavioral
Interest Areas:
» Crisis Intervention
» Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
» Consultation/Outreach
» Health Psychology
» Stress Management
» Emergency Management
» Disaster Mental Health

-I understand his theoretical orientation. But his interest areas don't really fit me, I think, except when I'm in crisis, I guess.

Women: (I'm more comfortable with men, generally)

"B. P.", Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Director
Theoretical Orientation - Psychodynamic
Interest Areas:
» Supervision and Training
» Eating Disorders
» Disability and issues in therapy
» Development of the spiritual and psychological components of wellness

-I'm not sure if she's even seeing anyone new since she's the director. By her gender and picture I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable with her. But her theoretical orientation and interest areas seem like they could be a good fit for me, maybe.

"P. M.", Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist,Assistant Director and Director of Training
Theoretical Orientation - Integrative:Relational/Humanistic/Psychodynamic
Interest Areas:
» Supervision and Training
» Women's Issues
» Relationships
» Sexual Trauma
» Eating Disorders

-Again, a woman, I'm not so comfortable with women. Her theoretical orientation sounds like it's probably good in being integrative, but her interest areas don't really apply to me, at least in their general senses.

Any ideas?
Thanks

((((((((((((( Tao ))))))))))))))))))))))

This has to be such a difficult decision for you to make, I was really lucky and went to a mental health center where they evaluated me and assigned me to the therapist that fit my needs best. I have been with my t for two years we have a good relationship.
Before I started therapy I always felt like I would be more comfortable with a man, most of my life I have been more comfortable around men then women but my t is a female and we get along beautifully. Good luck with whoever you choose.

This is a very tough decision. I think I would choose E.K. I don't know why except I too am not comfortable with women and I like his interest areas--health psychology may help with eating issues, stress management would help with school/family/anger, the crisis intervention will be helpful and theoretical orientation of CBT is great to change your outlook and way of thinking/dealing. Please please please remember this is just my opinion. Good luck!!

I would definetly talk to them each. Let them know you a bit and see what they have to say. Then choose.
What do you think?

I love your details!
I'd have to go with the male T #2 with the PsyD.
If your not comfortable with women, I don't think either woman T would be a good choice. The first therapist is "existential"--which really sorta freaks me out. Your problems are grounded firmly in reality, not the meaning of life in general.

Well, this is TOTALLY my opinion, but I lean towards #2 because he is cognitive behavioral, and since you only have until May, maybe you could get the most help with day-to-day stuff quickly that way.

My T is humanistic (like #1) and I love working with him, but it's a slow process - or it has been for me, because of my extreme resistance to building a relationship.

Perhaps you could pick two or three and have an appointment with each to see who "feels" right? Or even talk to them on the phone? When I was trying to pick between 2 Ts, I talked to both of them on the phone a couple of times - and I knew that my T was the right guy for me after those conversations. Being comfortable with whoever you choose is probably the most important thing.

Good luck to you - let us know who you choose...

Thanks everyone, that really helped. I'm going to try to meet with E.K. and see how it feels, then go from there.

Taonuviel, have you ever been in therapy before? If so, does CBT work for you? It doesn't work well for me, so #2 would probably be last on my list. But I know it is very helpful for many people. My own T sounds more like #1 and his approach was very effective at helping me with depression whereas as my first CBT therapist's approach was not helpful. I think the important thing is to "know thyself" and what works for you.

When you go see E.K., you can ask if your particular set of issues is within his scope of practice. He does sound like he is involved in some interesting areas--Emergency Management and Disaster Mental Health. I had a friend who was a psychologist who did this sort of thing. He would be one of several mental health professionals on the scene at disasters (e.g. earthquake, building collapse, bomb, etc.) to help people cope--part of an emergency management team run by the local government.

I think earthmama had a good point about CBT and your only having until May to do therapy. They tend to move quickly. I remember my CBT therapist told me at the outset that my depression would be cured/fixed/controlled (not sure what word she used) within 6 months. That turned out not to be true for me, but I think it means that was the typical time she needed for dealing with a client's depression.

Good luck!

Er... now I'm changing my mind! I had looked up what the therapies are to begin with, but not very extensively. I thought I already had an idea of what they were, but I was wrong. I found that humanistic/existential isn't so weird, and sounds like something that'd be good for me. Looking at CBT again, it's the kind of thing I've always found to be too simplistic for me. So really the only problem is my time frame. But now I'm leaning towards W.K. again...

sunrise, E.K. heads up the team when a crisis happens on campus or involving students. Right now they're in that mode because 2 students died of carbon monoxide poisoning in their car somewhere.

Taonuviel, I'm sorry about those students who died.

I think humanistic orientation is pretty mainstream. I remember you were a little apprehensive because you wondered if W.K.'s approach might not fit with your Christianity. My T believes spirituality is one of about 5 different areas to work on, and he himself is quite spiritual, but he doesn't push particular beliefs on me. He would allow the client to be spiritual in whatever mode they were used to, including Christian. It could be your T is similar and would make space in therapy for spirituality but not demand it. If your Christianity is a focus for you, then this might actually be a good thing, because this T is open to incorporating the spiritual in therapy.

A tough decision!