Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 310769

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How experienced is your therapist?

Posted by jane d on February 7, 2004, at 22:55:03

My own theory is that experienced is better. I certainly get a picture in my head as people describe their therapists but I could be totally off. Is anyone willing to say how much experience their therapist has in broad ranges such as trainee, 1 year, 2 to 5, 5 to 10, 10-20, 20+ etc and whether they think that is important.
My own is at close to the 20 year mark and I think it helps her keep things moving efficiently.

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist? » jane d

Posted by Dinah on February 7, 2004, at 23:15:41

In reply to How experienced is your therapist?, posted by jane d on February 7, 2004, at 22:55:03

Twenty years exactly, I think. Nine with me, eleven before me. I think part of the eleven were perhaps in a more intensive clinical setting, though I could be wrong about that. It's just an impression I got, not anything he's said directly.

I know he does supervision for other therapists. But I like that he's only a bit older than me so I don't have to worry too much about him dying or retiring soon.

However, I don't think his experience has helped him keep things moving efficiently with me. (grin) But I don't think he can be blamed for that problem!

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist?

Posted by Elle2021 on February 7, 2004, at 23:30:39

In reply to Re: How experienced is your therapist? » jane d, posted by Dinah on February 7, 2004, at 23:15:41

My pdoc has has about 15 years of experience. I'm not sure how many years my T has had.
Elle

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist?

Posted by Penny on February 7, 2004, at 23:38:34

In reply to How experienced is your therapist?, posted by jane d on February 7, 2004, at 22:55:03

Not entirely sure, but I would venture 20+ years, though not all in private practice. I know she worked at one of the state hospitals for a while.

My former T had worked in a hospital and then in private practice for a combined total of about 15 years or so.

I agree - they do often get better with experience. How could they not?

P

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist? » jane d

Posted by fallsfall on February 8, 2004, at 9:35:52

In reply to How experienced is your therapist?, posted by jane d on February 7, 2004, at 22:55:03

16, I think.

I think that less experienced therapists can do fine with less seriously ill patients. My guess is that those who gravitate towards this board have more complex cases. I think that the experience is necessary when the case is more complex.

So, I think that therapists starting out could gain their experience with the more straight foward cases, and as their experience grows they could take on those of us who present more of a challenge.

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist?

Posted by gardenergirl on February 8, 2004, at 9:48:05

In reply to Re: How experienced is your therapist? » jane d, posted by fallsfall on February 8, 2004, at 9:35:52

I think mine has about 20. He's amazing.

gg

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist?

Posted by terrics on February 8, 2004, at 11:23:57

In reply to How experienced is your therapist?, posted by jane d on February 7, 2004, at 22:55:03

Over 20 yrs. experience. She was my first T. and I was her first private patient. Then I did not see her for 20 yrs. Saw 2 others who were not good, then found her again in my health ins. plan. terrics p.s. She is a much better T. now.

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist?

Posted by deirdrehbrt on February 8, 2004, at 12:15:12

In reply to Re: How experienced is your therapist?, posted by terrics on February 8, 2004, at 11:23:57

Mine got her MSW about 30 years ago.I've worked with people who have less experience, and it was almost always a bad experience. I have a real difficult time trusting people whom I could have baby-sat, and I don't think that they can understand me.
I had one call me in the hospital and quit. It was sort of a dual experience when she did that; I felt let down on the one hand, but I didn't like her very much at the start. In our sessions, it was nothing but an interview. Did such and such happen? how do you feel about that? what was your family like? etc. I could watch her face with my answers and see her shudder at some of them. I felt as if I needed to protect her while discussing my life. I was also getting sicker and sicker working with her.
I think that Falls fall is exactly correct. The lesser experienced therapists need the less complex cases to learn and build on. Every one of the lesser complex cases has some complex elements built-in, and they can learn through that. The more complex cases, such as those with a very lengthy history, multiple diagnoses, and labile and volitile personalities should be at least supervised with a more experienced person.
Of course, who am I? It's just another opinion.
Dee

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist?

Posted by pegasus on February 8, 2004, at 15:33:02

In reply to How experienced is your therapist?, posted by jane d on February 7, 2004, at 22:55:03

The one I just left was about 10 years in private practice, and the new one is about 20 years. I notice a lot of differences, but it's hard to say what is experience, and what is just personality or orientation. So far, I think my new T handles things a little more smoothly, and seems a bit more tuned in to me. But my old T seemed really good too.

-p

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist?

Posted by Miss Honeychurch on February 9, 2004, at 8:47:32

In reply to Re: How experienced is your therapist?, posted by pegasus on February 8, 2004, at 15:33:02

23 years of teaching and private practice. I feel I have done quite well with him and intentionally sought someone out who had a lot of experience.

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist?

Posted by Karen_kay on February 9, 2004, at 11:44:09

In reply to How experienced is your therapist?, posted by jane d on February 7, 2004, at 22:55:03

Well, I feel like a mule... Everyone is saying 20 +... Well, what Bubba lacks in experience, he makes up for in charm, I suppose. He just recently started practicing, about 2 years ago I think. But, again I love rookies :) I think he's a perfect fit, and though he makes mistakes he is learning, and we are learning together. I really like the fact that he's quick to admit he's wrong. And I enjoy the fact that we're really learning together. It makes this a journey we are taking together. And I know he'll always remember me. (/Not at ALL suggesting your therapists won't remember you, but he's learning a lot from me and he can use that knowledge in the future to help others.) I think that's the part I love the most. The fact that I can help others because I'm helping him learn as well. Heck yeah I'm difficult, but that helps him in the future. He said I'm the first client he's had to not have any memories of abuse and then to remember them during therapy. That means he can hopefully use the experience he's gained from me to help other clients in my situation. That's my hope anyway.... (Oh goodness, this turned into a defense of my therapist's lack of experience as well as a rant..... Am I Racer or Karen???? Oh goodness :))

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist?

Posted by Fallen4myT on February 9, 2004, at 18:48:56

In reply to Re: How experienced is your therapist?, posted by Miss Honeychurch on February 9, 2004, at 8:47:32

WOOOO HOO experienced that's what I would LOVE to know :) ...On a serious note over 15 years and has never been called up on any charges and so on I looked his liscense up :)

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist?

Posted by thewriteone on February 9, 2004, at 19:05:56

In reply to How experienced is your therapist?, posted by jane d on February 7, 2004, at 22:55:03

My T was 20+ years in the field. I'm glad for that. I don't have anything against T's that are new, but I think I'm probably a more complex case and maybe someone new wouldn't have the patience to deal with me. I think my T started out late in life. I think she did the family thing first and then started working 'cause she's well into her 60's. I never discussed it with her, but that's just what I imagine happened.

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist?

Posted by lonelygirl on March 25, 2004, at 2:31:33

In reply to How experienced is your therapist?, posted by jane d on February 7, 2004, at 22:55:03

Mine is the least experienced of all! I win :) He just got his license in November 2003 (he got his Ph.D. in 2002). I adore him and I don't think any less of him than I would if he had 20+ years of experience. I think he is brilliant.

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist? » lonelygirl

Posted by fallsfall on March 25, 2004, at 6:42:55

In reply to Re: How experienced is your therapist?, posted by lonelygirl on March 25, 2004, at 2:31:33

Your therapist has done a marvelous job. He made you feel safe enough to want to come back and talk to him more. To let him get to know you better. He may be new to the business, but he has what you need most - he cares. You are lucky.

 

Re: How experienced is your therapist? » lonelygirl

Posted by Fallen4myT on March 25, 2004, at 18:06:38

In reply to Re: How experienced is your therapist?, posted by lonelygirl on March 25, 2004, at 2:31:33

I wish you would share this with him for you and for him ..what a nice heartfelt thing to say about how you feel on the man you didnt want to even see at one time


> Mine is the least experienced of all! I win :) He just got his license in November 2003 (he got his Ph.D. in 2002). I adore him and I don't think any less of him than I would if he had 20+ years of experience. I think he is brilliant.


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