Goodness. It’s infuriating how much malpractice you’ve encountered and suffered with these different therapists. It is the kind of person who really doesn’t honor their mission, nor the people they interact with. I’m really sorry you’ve been experiencing this. All of it. I’m a social worker myself, and before working at Heartsupport I’ve seen some wrong shit happening as well. It’s just out of my comprehension how someone can choose a field that aims to support people in their most vulnerable moments in life, only to do such a poor job as a result.
1 - Way to judge you and be absolutely inconsiderate with the words they choose. This was plain judgment… that’s terrible.
2 - Yikes. A professional that encourages stigma, that’s… beyond understanding.
3 - This must have been such a very confusing time for you. I’m really sorry.
4 - Ugh, this is really hard. You learn to trust someone and somehow to rely on them during your darkest times, and suddenly you’re left on your own… this must have been also so confusing and leaving you feel abandoned.
It makes a lot of sense to be reluctant with therapy now. You have been brave for reaching out, seeking support with different people, telling your story and sharing things that were painful to you… But you’ve experienced experiences that can leave feel betrayed. It’s understandable that, because of it, therapy might not seem as safe and appealing as it could be years ago. Between then and now, you’ve been hurt, you’ve grown, you’ve known difficult experiences with people supposed to be safe. The fact that you hesitate now is not a bad reaction - on the contrary, seeking to protect yourself is healthy.
It sounds like communication is functioning well with your psychiatrist? At least, I’m assuming so through your message. I would imagine that because of their function, they also represent a different side of “professional support” to you, and it could be used at your own advantage too. I would definitely encourage you to have open conversations about your prior experiences in therapy, with your current psychiatrist. To ask them the exact questions you’re asking here and express why you feel hesitant to start over. Eventually, they could also refer you to someone they know based on criteria you would share with them.
Personally, when my therapist had to move away to a different location earlier this year (meaning I would not be able to meet with her anymore), it was soooo difficult and I’m not fully over yet that feeling of abandonment even if it was just a part of life. But the perspective of having to start again with someone and learning to trust a new person again, with no guarantee that they would be the right one, is already exhausting. However, her and I discussed about possible therapists in my area that she knew about, based on my needs and expectations. I literally told her the type of approach I didn’t want, or how I expect a therapist to be with me (example: I need them to interact and inquire, not to leave plenty of silences all the time). Based on this, she has been able to recommend me two therapists, and I’ll be giving a try starting in mid-September - i.e. the time it took to also decide it and feel like the timing was right again to make an appointment.
All of this to say: I would encourage you to exploit as much as possible the safe spaces you might have today already. Just because it doesn’t engage you in anything - it’s only about discussing at this point. All of this that you have shared is also something you can directly share in your first session with a new therapist. That will clearly set the tone, open the communication and let them know how much you need for the story to not be repeated. You are the client - you are the one setting the tone and the pace of your therapy. Always.
-Micro, Heartsupport staff