The search for a good therapist

Try asking friends who have been HELPED by therapy, and are getting better. This is a great credential for any therapist. You can also try contacting the ISSD (link is available under "links" here) for a list of therapists in a locality. The ISSD does not guarantee that the therapist is competent in working with DID or trauma, only that they are a member of their organization, but it is a starting place.

Organizations that work with survivors of trauma may also be able to give a referral, as well as hospitals and/or units dedicated to DID and trauma. Therapists who are well known and respected, and known to be safe, can be another source of a possible referral.

Think about whether you would be more comfortable working with a female or a male therapist, before starting to interview one, since this may narrow your choices down.

The next step is the phone interview. Before seeing a therapist, try doing a brief interview with them, and ask a few questions. Your goal should be to do a phone interview with at least 3 therapists initially. Questions you might ask on the phone should include: *Are they accepting new clients? How long is the wait before being seen?

*What about fees and how insurance claims are handled? Check whether the fee is paid up front and the client contacts their insurance for reimbursement, or the therapist handles billing. You may also need to contact your insurance company for PREAUTHORIZATION in order to be reimbursed. This means the insurance company wants to approve the therapist first, or they won't pay you if they see them. Does the therapist have a sliding scale if there is no insurance? How long are sessions? Does the therapist ever go over, or give extra sessions, and if so, how does he/she handle billing? How far away is the therapist's office from where you live?

*Experience: what kind of credentials does the therapist have? Experience working with survivors of trauma and/or ritual abuse? Do they understand DID? What kind of license do they hold (LPC, MSW, marriage and family counselor, etc.)? What school did they go to? How long have they been a therapist?

*How available is the therapist? How does he/she handle crisis situations, or after-hours calls? Suicidal ideation in the client? Does the therapist work alone, or with

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