This is a true story from much earlier in my healing process, and shows the problem that faces survivors of severe childhood trauma when they are looking for a qualified therapist. The "experts" may not be as good as claimed. Large full page ads in the phone book proclaim a therapist's expertise, while others are given as a referral from an organization when called. Telephone numbers can be gathered from the net, from professional organizations, and from friends. But how does the person dealing with a wounded psyche know which is the competent therapist? To complicate the process, how does the survivor believe that they DESERVE good therapy, or recognize it when it is present (or its absence)? This article is an attempt to help answer some of these questions.
First, the problem of insurance needs to be addressed. If a person has insurance coverage, they may need to contact their provider first for a referral. Often, there will be several options given, and the client will need to choose one.
Others survivors have no insurance. In this situation, which is all too common, they may be at the mercy of a MHMR system that in some localities (but not all) refuses to treat DID, or free clinics where the quality of care may vary from marginal or poor to excellent. Sometimes, therapy can be received through Medicaid, or Medicare if the person is on disability, and the survivor can contact therapists who take these plans for reimbursement.
