I called a mental health provider today and had a short interview to see if they could treat me. When I tried to explain what kind of outcome I'm hoping for she kept interrupting me, saying how my wording was wrong. Apparently I had to state it just right so it aligns with their treatment objectives or something? By the end of the call she said she would bring my case up with her colleagues at the next meeting and get back to me, but now I feel like I did something wrong, like I should have expressed myself more clearly and done more research beforehand. I feel so ashamed, and so invalidated :(

Fear Strikes...

Date posted: 5y

Was the person you spoke with a therapist or an administrative staff person such as a secretary?

prim

Date posted: 5y

A therapist

Yayfortherapy

Date posted: 5y

Hi Prim! I’ve heard one of the most important factors for success is having a therapist that you like! So I think you have a good plan of giving this a try, but if this therapist continues to make you feel icky, find a new one!

prim

Date posted: 5y

Thank you! Yes, I definitely want to find a therapist I feel safe with.

Fear Strikes...

Date posted: 5y

What kind of outcome did you try to explain to the therapist? Is this therapist ERP-trained? If not, definitely search for another therapist.

prim

Date posted: 5y

Apparently they are a team of eight therapists, so I don't know who would be treating me yet. I guess I'll give it a chance, if it feels unhelpful after a few sessions I'll look for a different therapist :)

Fear Strikes...

Date posted: 5y

@prim Definitely make sure it is someone that uses Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, otherwise you will be wasting your time and money.

prim

Date posted: 5y

@Fear Strikes Out Thank you, I will!

Stronger.

Date posted: 5y

@Fear Strikes Out I disagree, there are other methods to treat OCD. I've been seeing a different therapist for a long time and it was extremely beneficial.

Fear Strikes...

Date posted: 5y

@christinejg94 Besides maybe mindfulness or ACT augmenting ERP, what other evidenced based OCD treatments are your referring to that were beneficial?

Evelyn4416

Date posted: 5y

That’s so weird. Keep an eye out for how their behavior is if you decide to stick around. You want someone who will listen to you and not correct you on wording and whatnot, that just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Good luck finding a therapist and make sure they know ERP! :)

prim

Date posted: 5y

Yeah, it did make me feel weird. I will give it a try, and if it doesn't work out I will look elsewhere. Thank you for the encouragment :)

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