How to find a therapist

I've mentioned it in other placed, but I'm considering switching therapist. So, I went to look for a new one and thought I'd share how I did it.

First, it's best to check the ISST-D members list (http://www.isst-d.org/). Unfortunately, there was no one reasonably near (considering it will be a weekly trip for a long period, I'd rather have it not too far away). They are (AFAIK) all experienced with dissociative disorders and trauma.

Then, I started at a random therapist (doesn't matter much which) and looked for a psychiatry association (I guess that's what it's called in English?).
If you're lucky, they have a list of members, searchable by profession and location. If you're really lucky, you can include dissociative disorders and sort at distance. I wasn't very lucky. I went for 'emdr' (there wasn't even trauma in the list, but I guess emdr covers that ). Just take a note (or bookmark the website of those) of all that are reasonably near and make a good impression (I dismissed a few because they didn't seem to do long-term issues, for example). If they are members of more than one association, you can look through those as well. So, in the end, you should have found all relevant therapists.

Next step will be actually contacting them in some way. Think I'll post when I've done that (and how). I think I'll ask whether they have any experience with dissociative disorders (considering I've been diagnosed with DDNOS, so I have 'proof') and autism (probably not very relevant for many forum members, but it is relevant for me). The latter is not a requirement, rather 'good to have'.

I made this (general) thread to share tips/ideas on how to find a therapist. Feel free to share your tips/advice as well.

Thank you. This is quite helpful. We will be looking for a new T right around.. well, now.

Hope you find someone good

I forgot to add possibly the most obvious. A list of therapists licensed by insurance. (Is that called licensed? I don't know.) Then you know at least they're covered by insurance. Unfortunately, I couldn't filter at specialty so it wasn't exactly helpful (only at 'psychotherapists').

Actually contacting them turned out to be quite difficult. Probably fear of - again - telling about dissociation. I've contacted two so far.

I just asked that I was looking for a T and whether they had someone experienced with dissociative disorders (mentioning I was diagnosed with DDNOS, thus having 'proof'). ... And forgot about the autism. Whatever. They should at least know a bit about that, as it's one of the more 'accepted' and common disorders. And I can handle it quite well myself.

Good to hear it was helpful

I hope you're able to work on your fear so you can find what you need to help you heal.

Best of luck

oaktree wrote:I forgot to add possibly the most obvious. A list of therapists licensed by insurance. (Is that called licensed? I don't know.) Then you know at least they're covered by insurance.

No, they are not licensed by the insurance company. They are merely contracted. They have signed up take that insurance, which means they agree to accept the insurance company's fee schedule.

I have searched for a new therapist several times now, and currently am working with one who is not a contracted provider. However my insurance allows for non-contracted providers. Here is how it works for me. I pay the therapist and receive a statement. I send the statement to my insurance company for them to reimburse me.

Licensing is a whole other, very complicated issue. In some jurisdictions (states, provinces, countries) there are multiple licensing boards that are recognized legal bodies in the jurisdiction. Usually there is one for psychiatrists (MDs), another for clinical psychologists (MS, PhD, PsyD), and yet another for counselors, and so on. However in many jurisdictions the term "psychotherapist" does not refer to any form of licensing. That is why sometimes you will see a therapist advertise themselves as a "licensed psychotherapist" to differentiate themselves for those providers who do not hold a license.

For what it is worth, my therapist who is not contracted with insurance is licensed.

The psychologytoday website has a pretty good search engine for finding a therapist; therapists pay for their listing.

In any case, I hope you find help, oaktree ! You've been helpful to me (and others) around here, so the least I can do is wish you things get better.

I too have recently tried looking for another therapist, just in case. The insurance "sponsored" ones all refused me, citing that my case is too complex, and not in their field of expertise. Just checked the ISSTD directory, and the few therapists in the country satisfying most of my criteria are over 700 kilometers away (approx. 440 miles) ... and they are also the closest ones The impossible part is getting a bilingual therapist in my case.

lifepuzzle wrote:Just checked the ISSTD directory, and the few therapists in the country satisfying most of my criteria are over 700 kilometers away (approx. 440 miles).

It may be worth your while to contact each of them and ask them for names of therapists closer to you, who may meet your criteria.

Una+ wrote:No, they are not licensed by the insurance company. They are merely contracted.

Oh, of course. Yes.
I can also get insurance for therapists that aren't contracted, as long as they meet certain degrees.

Una+ wrote:The psychologytoday website has a pretty good search engine for finding a therapist; therapists pay for their listing.

That's exactly what I was looking for! Unfortunately, it doesn't cover where I live. Thanks anyway.

Una+ wrote:It may be worth your while to contact each of them and ask them for names of therapists closer to you, who may meet your criteria.

That's a really good idea. I'll remember that one, in case I can't find someone.

lifelongthing wrote:I hope you're able to work on your fear so you can find what you need to help you heal.

Thank you I've already got a reply from one (stating they couldn't really help me with dissociative disorders, but offering further help in finding one?). It really helps to get such a positive reply. To prove the (irrational) fear isn't true. Because just 'getting over it' doesn't work.

I'm glad they're offering to help. We all need confirmation our fears aren't true sometimes. Only natural

Best of luck.