Can't Find a Good Therapist

[Amrator]

I can't find a therapist in Chicago who knows how to treat CPTSD. You would think in such a big city like Chicago, it would be easy, but it's not. There's quite a few trauma therapists, but I don't think many of them know how to treat CPTSD.

They would tell me they know how to treat CPTSD, but they don't even know about the phase approach that is usually recommended.

What do I do?

[Kat]

Sorry to hear you're having such trouble finding someone.  I started therapy over a decade ago.  The idea of C-PTSD was already out there, but not nearly as well-known as it is now.  When I started therapy with my current therapist, she was an intern.  I had gone to someone for over a year before switching over.  I had held back quite a lot from my initial therapist and never quite felt a solid connection with her.  The therapist I'm seeing now has said time and again that it's not so much the form or type of therapy that leads to recovery and healing, but the relationship.  I believe that to be true.  That said, she's also realistic about the fact that what she offers may not be all that I need.  She's encouraged me to try Somatic Experiencing therapy and biofeedback, etc.  So, maybe the trauma therapist you find doesn't necessarily know about the phase approach, but he/she feels like a good fit and is open to learning.  That person might be the best one for you.  Trust your instincts.  Best of luck, Amrator.

[radical]

I don't know how to help other than to suggest you 'try out' a few, ask questions and see how you feel.  I'm not sure what the "phase approach" is, but if it is important to you, talking about it and seeing how they respond could be valuable.

It does see to me that the relationship is the most important factor, but a good understanding on complex trauma is also important, as much in steering away from harm as in the right direction.  For me, the key in the relationship is consistent reliability.  It's important that you aren't walking on egg-shells and you aren't feeling that sometimes you are "getting it right" and sometimes you are "getting it wrong".  Rather than striving for approval or to avoid punishment, the more authentic you are able to be over time, the more value is likely.  I have difficulty trusting myself, and find I'm always trusted to find what is true for me.  I have a variety of tasks and they all seem to focus of helping me build a coherent narrative and to find the most genuine ways to talk to myself in ways that are helpful.  The whole approach seems to about  opening me out and about integrating, rather than try to make me into someone else.  There is structure, wisdom and kindness, and I don't feel like I need to be a performing seal to 'win' support.  I'm constantly surprised by this.

I'm also being referred to a variety of other treatment modalities and services, and I feel good about having such a holistic and broad framework and support system.  I think this could be another avenue to ask questions about.  Are there other practitioners that you work with to as part of a a holistic treatment plan?

All the best in your quest.   I know it is hard to find the right person.  I'd been searching for a while before I found this person, but it has felt like more luck than good management, on my part.

[Candid]

The therapist I'm seeing now has said time and again that it's not so much the form or type of therapy that leads to recovery and healing, but the relationship.  I believe that to be true. 

I agree.

It does see to me that the relationship is the most important factor, but a good understanding on complex trauma is also important,

This makes me wonder how many people with personal experience of CPTSD can make it through academia. My own experience at university showed me just how sluggish, self-serving and excluding it is. For example, I took a psychology subject called Human Development Across The Lifespan. It was 100 per cent mainstream: how Mother's attention, mirroring, encouragement and delight in her child wires the infant brain, then the important developmental milestones, separating and individuating, and on and on to acceptance of impending death without so much as a stab at what happens when it goes wrong right at the beginning. You can certainly get a psychology degree based entirely on what's presumed to happen for everybody -- and while you're doing that, any sign of deviation will be struck out.

Pete Walker has an MA in psychotherapy. As far as I know, you don't need any qualification to set up as a psychotherapist. Psychologist or psychiatrist yes, but therapist no. I've never seen Our Pete cited in any academic papers. He's a specialist and a godsend, but I suspect something of a rogue element and looked down on by the academics.

I have a variety of tasks and they all seem to focus of helping me build a coherent narrative...

That's a major stumbling block, isn't it? And without a coherent narrative, it's acutely difficult to have a stable sense of self. For me, anyway.

... and to find the most genuine ways to talk to myself in ways that are helpful.  The whole approach seems to about  opening me out and about integrating, rather than try to make me into someone else.  There is structure, wisdom and kindness, and I don't feel like I need to be a performing seal to 'win' support.  I'm constantly surprised by this.

And delighted? I would be!

Amrator, there are many paths towards wholeness, and the 'best' CPTSD practitioner on the planet wouldn't be right for everybody. No one has your unique experience and way of looking at the world. The difficulty with a coherent narrative is that hindsight keeps kicking in. What's right for you now is different to what would have been right for you 10 years ago, and different from what you might need 10 years from now. Just look for the T who hears you now, with your present mindset and circumstances.

[sanmagic7]

lots of good suggestions and insights here.  i, too, believe that the therapeutic relationship is of utmost importance.  i also believe that the therapist who's best for you may not know exactly about c-ptsd, but would be willing to learn, would do some research, and would realize that this beast must be come after from different angles. 

there are many different kinds of therapy out there that can be utilized to help with different aspects of complex trauma.  it's called 'complex' for a reason.  besides traditional talk therapy and emdr, i've used writing, art therapy and massage therapy.   they've all played important parts.

i'm about to see a trauma therapist for the first time in 2 weeks.  she says she specializes in ptsd, so i'm wondering how she will do when we stick the 'c' in front of it.  it'll be interesting.  i am going in hopeful.

just as an aside, candid, here in the states, there are licensing regulations, a certain level of education, and a test to complete before you can be licensed as a therapist in the states.  however, anyone can call themselves a counselor.  there's a difference between the two.  so, a little different here than in your part of the world.

so, amrator, i wish you the best in finding someone who will be helpful for you.  i hope you don't give up,   

[Amrator]

lots of good suggestions and insights here.  i, too, believe that the therapeutic relationship is of utmost importance.  i also believe that the therapist who's best for you may not know exactly about c-ptsd, but would be willing to learn, would do some research, and would realize that this beast must be come after from different angles. 

there are many different kinds of therapy out there that can be utilized to help with different aspects of complex trauma.  it's called 'complex' for a reason.  besides traditional talk therapy and emdr, i've used writing, art therapy and massage therapy.   they've all played important parts.

i'm about to see a trauma therapist for the first time in 2 weeks.  she says she specializes in ptsd, so i'm wondering how she will do when we stick the 'c' in front of it.  it'll be interesting.  i am going in hopeful.

just as an aside, candid, here in the states, there are licensing regulations, a certain level of education, and a test to complete before you can be licensed as a therapist in the states.  however, anyone can call themselves a counselor.  there's a difference between the two.  so, a little different here than in your part of the world.

so, amrator, i wish you the best in finding someone who will be helpful for you.  i hope you don't give up,   

You're saying it's not possible for someone with CPTSD to get a college degree? My dream is to be a physicist. I'm working on my bachelors in physics right now, and I plan on going for a Ph.D.

[sanmagic7]

o, amrator, no, i wasn't saying that at all, and i'm sorry if i gave you that impression.

i went back to school, got both my b.a. and m.s.w. while in my 40's, and i know that i was also struggling with c-ptsd at the time.  at the same time, i was also involved with 3 of the people who hurt me the most.  but i managed to become a therapist in the midst of all of it.

so, yes, it's definitely possible to become a physicist, to realize your dream, even while battling c-ptsd.  it may be a little more difficult at some times than at others, but it's very do-able.  there are others on this forum who are in college right now, also going after higher degrees.

go after that dream, and don't let anything stop you.  we are here to help and support you whenever possible so that you can achieve it with flying colors.    i have faith in you, and don't doubt for a minute that you will be successful.