The search for a good therapist
with a group that has rotating call? How does he/she view hospitalization? The role of medication? How far ahead should appointments be cancelled (24 hours is usual)?
*Discuss their personal philosophy of healing: how they became interested in working with survivors of trauma, how they view the healing process, and how they help clients work towards this goal. What is their belief/faith system? Do they pray with clients? How do they view spiritual warfare? Are they directive or nondirective ? What do they do when a client disagrees with them, or the direction therapy is going? Do they believe that ritual abuse is real? How do they help clients deal with flashbacks? What does he or she feel about integration (or not)? Does she respect the client's wishes in this area? How does the therapist feel about switching during a session? Are they willing to learn more? Go to conferences?
If the phone interview goes well, and both of you feel that you could work together, then the next step would be a personal interview at the therapist's office. Here, you can see the therapist in his or her working ambience. Remember, the therapist is working for YOU, not the other way around, and it is okay to go with your gut instincts. You deserve to find someone that you feel comfortable working with. At this point, you might want to ask: How does the therapist take care of his/herself to avoid burnout? Do they have supervision, or others they can vent to? Do they have a sense of humor? What are their views on boundaries? Giving hugs? Confidentiality? What will they do if you see each other in a public place?
Is the office comfortable? Private?
Ask yourself: how is the therapist relating to me? Do I feel I could become comfortable working with him/her? Am I treated wiith respect? Does the therapist listen non-judgementally?
Once you have found a therapist that you feel comfortable with, as time goes on, it also helps to have realistic expectations of the therapy process. Ritual abuse is a severe type of abuse, and the therapy process is often long and involved. It is important to not expect that the therapist will be able to "fix you" or "make it all better," instead, the client needs to realize that THEY will be the one making changes, with the therapist as a supportive facilitator. Also, a therapist cannot
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