Finding a C-PTSD Therapist

[Comatoze]

C-PTSD isn't an official diagnosis so I'm not sure how easy it'll be to find a psychologist who knows about it and can help me, anyone have any tips? Anthony posted some tips about finding psychologists who specialise in military-related PTSD, but since in my case it's more to do with domestic violence, i'm not sure how useful a psychologist specialising in military-related PTSD would be.

Also, no doubt there are lots of dodgy psychologists out there. Any tips on how to detect which ones can't be trusted? Some problems that I can forsee are:

- psychologists who don't really care, who will just see me as another patient and not a human being
- psychologists who are out of touch with young people
- psychologists who will try to enforce their personal beliefs on me (eg. religious beliefs)
- psychologists who are closed minded or judgemental
- psychologists with their own emotional problems
- psychologists who don't understand psych theory, or have a limited or skewed perspective of the world and the mind
- psychologists who might cause secondary wounding, as described in anthony's thread

So yea, basically looking for any ideas which will help me determine if I have the right psychologist or not. What sort of things would a good psychologist say during the first session?

The reason it's important is that if I open up to the wrong person and I get the wrong response, I might never open up again...

[anthony]

There is no such thing as a C-PTSD therapist. A therapist is a person who undergoes tertiary education to gain the qualification of therapist. This is typically at a university or country equivalent for a period of 3+ years to gain.

There is also no such thing as a "military specific therapist" or "military PTSD therapist." What you missed with the post you read was that I outlined you want to find a therapist that a military organization recommends to military because it means they will be adequately experienced in dealing with trauma. It has nothing to do with military, it is purely that the majority of PTSD is found from military, or atleast highlighted in that area as a mainstream.

If you find a military organization and ask them what therapists they would send a veteran too, being a trauma specialist within the therapy field, that is the person you also want to go too regardless how you got PTSD itself. PTSD is PTSD, regardless what other labels exist for it. The symptoms are the same, the outcome is the same.

[Claire]

Not every therapist is a good one however it is for you to determine who you can trust and who you cant. There has to be a leap of faith to a degree, to start with. Some therapists in this country offer an introductory appointment to see if you get on. After all, a therapist is a person and like any other you might not like each other. You could also ring around a few and have a brief chat to them. There are plenty that do not have any of the problems you list. A therapists job is to be non judgemental and not enforce their beliefs on anyone, religious or otherwise. They are there to help you get yourself better, they are a guide. If you rang them and spoke to them first you can ask them about their previous experiences and successes in dealing with your kind of problems. Then you might be able to form an opinion yourself as to their suitability.

[Comatoze]

There is no such thing as a C-PTSD therapist

Hmm yea the thread title is a bit misleading, it should really be something like "Finding a therapist who can help with C-PTSD".


If you find a military organization and ask them what therapists they would send a veteran too, being a trauma specialist within the therapy field, that is the person you also want to go too regardless how you got PTSD itself. PTSD is PTSD, regardless what other labels exist for it. The symptoms are the same, the outcome is the same.

The question is, do you think that the typical trauma specialist knows about C-PTSD, not just PTSD? I don't claim to be an expert, but from what I've read, there are important differences in both the diagnosis and the treatment:


Children and adults exposed to chronic interpersonal trauma consistently demonstrate psychological disturbances that are not captured in the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis.


Van der Kolk and Courtois (2005) suggest that C-PTSD better describes the pervasive negative impact of chronic trauma than does Post traumatic stress disorder, as PTSD fails to capture some of the core characteristics of C-PTSD. These include psychological fragmentation, the loss of a sense of safety, trust, and self-worth, as well as the tendency to be revictimized, and, most importantly, the loss of a coherent sense of self. This loss of the coherent sense of self, and the ensuing symptom profile, is what most pointedly differentiates C-PTSD from PTSD.



van der Kolk et al. (2005) suggest that treatment for C-PTSD should differ from treatment for PTSD in several important ways. While treatment for PTSD focuses on the impact of specific past events and the processing of specific trauma memories, treatment for C-PTSD should also include a focus on problems that cause more functional impairment than the PTSD symptoms.

The last thing I want is to be treated for PTSD when I actually have C-PTSD, as this (might) do more harm than good, or just be a waste of time? What do you think?

[pandora]

I would hope that the counsellor...if experienced in trauma and anxiety (as mine did) took things very slow because I often freeze when talking about my traumas but she just seems to be gunuinely caring and concerned. When i had a criminal injuries hearing...she even took the morning off and came with me on her own time. I even hugged her that day.
maybe...try to make a list...also I am using a book "The PTSD workbook....by mary Beth Williams and Soili Poijula. I have found it very helpful and we have worked on the information. i often find that i have so many things that I am still dealing with...that this book helps to organize my fragmented thoughts.
I have huge trust issues as well. I have been telling myself this in life and in therapy. I have to learn to trust. Not all people are out to get us. But...hurt me once shame on you...hurt me twice shame on me...It might be hard to find a therapist when you already have this person being really terrible....kind of like self sabotage before you realize you are doing it...maybe after you find out his/her qualifications and you have an initial meeting maybe your intuition will help...like "trust your gut" Just be prepared before you go...ask her things too, be open and honest from the beginning. Not all of them are bad...it really is a caring profession and I know it is hard to listen to people tell about their traumas but that is what they went to school for...paid to go to school for.
i went to school to be a nurse because I wanted to and I truly care about people and want to help others...some people are meant for it some are not. I am not sure if this helped at all but maybe just keep an open mind. The person/therapist hasn't done anything wrong or anything to make you not trust them. i know it is a hard thing to do but we sometimes have to give people a chance and not think the worst about it. Maybe write down some positives like.....If the person turns out to be really good...you will be getting proper help, you may see a light at the end of the tunnel, the worst thing is...you don't like her or get along, you might need to meet a couple until you meet the right one and that is ok too as long as you get the proper help you need. ok...I am rambling now...take care. Just make sure you feel safe, or take a friend with you if you are not sure whether to trust your own intuition...sometimes...another point of view can be helpful.

[EmoxxKid]

It's all about trust...at best you could google therapist in your area that deal with PTSD, call them and ask them do they know a great deal and have they worked with people with C-PTSD.

The fact is....it's going to be a while before C-PTSD gets the attention it should (and will get). Until then I simply looked into and spoke with these therapist and asked them is this something they deal with.

There are people out there....I promise;) Hang on!

Geneva

[txmomof3]

Remember that you are paying them for their services...so you can interview several different therapists until you find one that fits you. IMHO, one of the most important things in any healthcare provider is their ability to recognize their own limits. The others have given wonderful suggestions of resources to find a therapist...you might try making a list of questions and calling around. Good luck!

[becvan]

Com:

If you can find a therapist that does trauma work.. they will know the variations in PTSD. Also, the basis for trauma therapy is the same.

Even though C-PTSD is not yet in the DMSV, it will be and is widely recognized amongst the professional field. A psychiatrist or psychologist will know this stuff.

Get treatment for PTSD period. I have C-PTSD, but my treatment is no different from that of someone with PTSD. (at the moment) It won't hurt you to get treatment for it. It's a good place to start and to help you begin to stabilize.The symptoms that set C-PTSD apart take time and trust to work on. You don't even start to go there until you have the foundation worked on which is regular PTSD symptoms.

Don't sweat all the different labels and titles. We all suffer from the same thing here, no matter what label we have.

bec

[anthony]

It is not the difference between C-PTSD and PTSD, it is the knowledge of being a therapist vs trauma specialist. Again, follow the advice already given above and you will find an appropriate trauma therapist that can help you. Stop reading is my advice, and start doing, because your obviously just creating confusion for yourself.

[Comatoze]

Cool thanks for the advice every1. I have an appointment in a couple of hours, apparantly she has "some experience with trauma" - that's all I know. I guess i'll play it by ear.

[anthony]

Great... that is what you need... trauma specialist, not just any old day to day therapist. You will typically find a therapist will specialise in one specific area, and whilst they cater a broad range of topics and information, like any job, you find a specialist who knows the most about a given area.... ours being trauma; not PTSD. Trauma is the cause to PTSD. You need to first heal your trauma before you can even begin taking on how to manage your PTSD uniquely.

[Comatoze]

Well it went pretty well I think - we got on well and she seemed to know what she was talking about. She said she wasn't a trauma specialist but had dealt with domestic violence victims before. She also said CBT was the approach she'd take to try to reduce the symptoms (eg. distrust and edgyness).

[anthony]

That is great. Yer, I think that would be the best for you being diagnosed with multiple trauma. CBT is the preferred option for your case IMHO also. Great to hear you have found someone you like though presently.... hopefully they will push you, as that is what PTSD needs; it must be pushed then empathised, never sympathised with.

[Awakening]

hopefully they will push you, as that is what PTSD needs; it must be pushed then empathised, never sympathised with.

Sorry if I'm seen to be taking over the thread but just curious (perhaps I'm a bit thick) but what is the difference between empathy & sympathy?

Good luck Comatoze (interesting user name by the way).

[anthony]

Empathy: Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives.

Sympathy: A feeling or an expression of pity or sorrow for the distress of another; compassion or commiseration.

[Comatoze]

I'm trying to work out how a therapist would express empathy. Surely it'd be unprofessional to talk about their own traumatic experiences (if any) to try to show that they know how you feel, but how else would they identify with it?

[Kathy]

Comatoze, I am a retired therapist and am a carer rather than a sufferer; I have never been through anything traumatic enough to cause PTSD. It is possible for a therapist to have empathy for a client without having total understanding of what said client is going through. It is similar to, a doctor may have empathy for his patient, without having to experience the patient's physical pain and suffering. Empathy does not mean one must identify totally with the other person. Even in the case where two people have experienced trauma, they will never be able to fully relate to one another as everyone's experiences are different; we are all unique individuals.