Recently we’ve been having “issues” with our current therapist. As part of trying to find a new therapist, we contacted one in our home town who is listed on the ISST-D site. With no real idea who we were or our background, she took time out of her day to recommend another therapist closer to where we currently live to see if she knew of anyone.
We contacted the therapist closer to us, and again she took time out of her day to ask if we could travel to Auckland (where there are a few therapists with experience in helping those with dissociation) and saying she’d get back to us. Those who have read of our adventures about travelling to Auckland for a conference will know this isn’t really a possibility. Today we heard back from her, she apologised for not getting back to us sooner as she’d been on holiday – good grief we were just thrilled she replied at all! She’s given us two people to try – both are registered with ACC so we can see them at reduced rates. One is the supervisor of our previous therapist (who is nice, but just doesn’t have the skills to cope with the dissociation); so we’re going to try the other therapist first to see if she is taking on any new clients.
Thank you to all the therapists out there that go above and beyond to help a total stranger in need. We’ve been stunned with the assistance that we’ve received and are grateful. Some would say “that is their job” – but for helping us there was no financial reward, it was purely working from an ethical and moral standpoint of helping someone in need.
Another example of this work is Kathy’s blog Discussing Dissocation. The answers given to questions are extensive without drawing conclusions or stepping beyond what I would consider to be boundaries – it also helped me realise that other parts of our system are confused, hurting or worried. Sorry Sophie, I’ll try to be around for the therapy session tomorrow, or I’ll see if Carrie or One can do it :)
So a big Thank You to the therapists out there! Yes, some should be on the other end of the therapy relationship, but some are excellent and help restore/maintain faith and belief in the profession.
