Seeking a therapist - need recommendations

[lolprivacy.livejournal.com]

Hi, folks. I am writing because am interested to find a therapist. I would like to work with a provider who is experienced with one or more of the following:

- major depressive disorder
- anxiety disorders
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- borderline personality disorder/symptoms
- adult survivors of child abuse (not necessarily sexual)
- LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people

The provider's age, sex, gender identity, skin color, level of physical ability, etc are irrelevant. The provider's religion is not necessarily an issue, given that they do not believe that non-believers and/or queer people are "going to hell", or otherwise slated for a less pleasant fate than believers.

I would prefer to work with someone who is:

* unfazed by people who are "different". While I am fairly normal-looking, I have experienced homelessness, I am queer, and I have certain beliefs about the power of ritual and the nature of reality which are somewhat unique. While the provider need not be coming from the same place, I believe that I will be best served by receiving treatment from a truly open-minded, accepting provider.

* naturally warm and kind. I am quite sensitive to any level of a brusque, dismissive or judgmental attitude, I cannot tolerate it in a clinical setting. I imagine that discussing the things I need to talk about will be painful; and I believe it will be safest for me to open up to a truly gentle soul.

* extremely intelligent. After several ill-fated attempts at treatment with various providers, I have determined that this attribute is necessary in a provider, in order for me to receive the full benefit of treatment.

* MBTA-accessible, though immediate proximity to Davis Square is not necessary (see below).

I am grateful for your willingness to listen, and I hope you will respond. If you prefer not to respond in an LJ comment, please email me, at [my LJ username]@gmail.com - this may be useful if you wish to recommend a provider outside of Davis Square. Feel free to email me if you would like to receive the list of recommended providers, minus the names of the persons recommending.

I thank you, very much, and I wish you good health.

(Cross-posted to davis_square [here] and b0st0n [here])

Comments

[lolprivacy.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Ron. I had indeed given the tags a look, and I concluded that my needs were different enough to warrant a new post.

[ron_newman]

Not a problem. I hope you get good and useful recommendations from your post. So that this post is helpful to people in the future, could you post the list of recommendations that you get via e-mail, minus the names of the people recommending?

[lolprivacy.livejournal.com]

Certainly, I didn't realize that would be an appropriate use of the community space. I'd happy to make that resource available once the replies seem to have finished rolling in.

[ron_newman]

Thanks. That's one of the best uses we can make of the community space -- 'paying it forward' to future readers.

[lolprivacy.livejournal.com]

Word. :)

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

So true. I just used the tags the other day to set up a dentist appointment.