in my particular case, 2 stated they had experience and treated it before, when 1 did not - and the other had brief exposure as a co-therapist in a hospital setting with a primary therapist who is known in the community (i happened to know her too) for maybe 1 or 2 sessions. i was interviewing therapists who freely stated they had 'experience' and then when pressed for details (actually, trying to discuss the diagnosis and specialized treatment) they drew 'blanks' and weren't familar with techniques commonly used or issues that commonly come up - i was treated 'shamefully' - "do you want to get into that" (?) or became defensive. few would answer questions about experience with any detail - seemed shocked i'd ask. i'd get vague references of so many years doing this or that. i did try a couple of these 'therapists' out - which was harmful. they basically told me, i was 'wrong' for being the way i was. i'm grateful i was not newly diagnosed and had some education and support structure already. even with that, i found it difficult to defend why i was still looking - when as far as insurance was concerned these 'proffessionals' stated they had experience (they didn't have - isn't there a duty there, as well?) the dsm IV lists 4 primary symptoms, and when i ask about treating 2 of those - i was told, universally, 'they don't deal with that' (implying i had control over it) and common lay-person defination for the way another term was used vs how it's used in defining this disorder. it turned out the reason they didn't 'deal with' one symptom was because they didn't know how. that's dangerous for me. i was met with frustration when i wasn't able to do common tasks - but common problems indicated in this disorder. basic 101, listed on one page of the DSM IV. there was never an indication that they considered it 'thier problem' and seemed to get upset when i went to discontinue - even threatening me on one occasion. all blamed the failure on me. yet, when i call various clinics (most accept state insurance) and ask, the first response is 'yes' they treat it and when i press for further information, "anyone can treat it. no specialization is required". i could need as much treatment for thier therapists' treatment, as i do for anything else. the problem is so common. that's what i don't understand. i would like a describtion, examples of how the ethical code is actually applied when it comes to needing or practicing specialized techniques or treating disorders that they may not be experienced with. i understand most have training in treating personality disorders, mood disorders - but this doesn't fall under those and it is treated by a wide range of license holders that have gone on to specialized training. there is one accredited organization in training - reffered to by APA and most other proffessional sources. i looked at the state database for cases that came up before the licensing board - the most common reason a therapist was santioned is 'practicing outside of their experience and training' (surprising?) i still found no definitions of how that is actually applied or when a therapist might know that or feel a need to refer or consult with someone. how would a therapist really know? or someone like me know if there might be a valid complaint? if therapists believe they can do good, then they have to understand they can do equal as well - and i'm not really interested in 'proving harm' at this point - unless that's the deciding factor? (yes, i understand 'standard of care' is not neccessarly the same - in this case there was a standard of care and a 'best practices' agreement with insurance approval, but to keep it simple, i'd like to disreguard that for now)
there are a couple of workshops that deal with techniques that can be used in treating this, but those workshops also emphasize that they are NOT competent for treating the disorder based on that workshop - stressing further specialization is required. APA stresses specialization. AAPA stresses specialization. the state behavioral health guidelines stresses specialization. it should be pretty well known.
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