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Wayward Side :
looking for a new therapist

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 Alyssamd24 (original poster member #39005) posted at 1:56 PM on Tuesday, March 11th, 2014

I need to go back to therapy and now that our health insurance has changed again (permanent this time) I am starting to look.

I want a therapist who specializes in infidelity but the website I have been looking at doesn't have that as a search option. What else should I look for? Relationship issues? Family counseling?

I also want a therapist who will help me uncover the whys and help dig up FOO issues I have but I dont know what theory or practice that is.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Sometimes the worst thing that happens to you.....the thing you think you can't survive....its the thing that makes you better than you used to be.

posts: 1316   ·   registered: Apr. 16th, 2013   ·   location: Massachusetts
id 6718852
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Shayna71 ( member #42105) posted at 2:03 PM on Tuesday, March 11th, 2014

I don't know your religious views, and if you are opposed to religion this won't help, but many churches, especially larger churches, have clergy that are trained counselors, and have plenty of experience dealing with infidelity.

Even in the small church we attend now, I have talked to our pastor, and he has shared with me that he has counseled many couples over the years, 3 in the current congregation. Most churches don't care if you are a even a member. We recently moved, and I had only attended this church a handful of times. They just want to help, and there is NO charge.

Me: BW 46
Him: WH 43
3 month EA and PA w/a mutual friend
DDay 09/20/2013
Married over 20 years
DS 25, DS, 18 DD, 17 (On DDay)
Currently in R

Why Repentance Is Necessary? Because Undeserved Mercy Empowers Entitlement/Sin

posts: 328   ·   registered: Jan. 17th, 2014   ·   location: Indiana
id 6718861
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obliquestrat ( member #42165) posted at 3:22 PM on Tuesday, March 11th, 2014

When I started, I went to someone from the "Find a Local Counselor" section. They were very kind and understanding, but I didn't feel like they were anything like an infidelity sharpshooter - and that's what I wanted.

I found a winner by "phone screening" a dozen or so local/insurance-covered ones with some questions including:

- what % of your practice is individual versus couples?

- how much experience and training do you have with infidelity?

- what books THAT YOU'VE PERSONALLY READ align with your infidelity philosophy?

- how do you feel about a BS' need to know on details?

- do you agree that the BS and WS share the marriage, while the WS owns the A?

the most revealing, by far, was the book thing. Some couldn't even name infidelity-specific books. I think the part that tied them in knots was the bit about them reading it - I think many take the, "I recommend this one to my clients and they seem to like it..." type of line, without actually studying (or even reading) the material themselves. Or maybe they read something 10 years ago, and basically forgot about it.

Our counselor lit up when asked the question, immediately naming Not Just Friends, How To Help Your Spouse Heal From Your Affair, and After The Affair. And on our first visit to their office, they had copies of those and many more on their desk, filled with color-coded bookmarks.

posts: 110   ·   registered: Jan. 22nd, 2014
id 6718928
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Prayingforhope ( member #41801) posted at 3:58 PM on Tuesday, March 11th, 2014

I also found therapists in my area were happy to provide the first session for free, just to test the alignment. This is often as important to the therapist as it is to the patient.

I had sessions with 3 or 4 different therapists before selecting the one I have been seeing for the past 3 months.

I also found that good therapists are happy to recommend OTHER therapists who they think may be better suited to dealing with your unique needs. This happened to me with one of my free visits and the recco eventually was the therapist I chose for the long term.

Good luck. It's an important decision but also an exciting one for you personally!

WH 41
BS 40
D-Day Oct 28th, 2013
Together 18 years
Three amazing boys 12, 9 & 6
Praying for hope daily

posts: 260   ·   registered: Dec. 27th, 2013
id 6718967
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FixYou71 ( member #42654) posted at 11:58 PM on Tuesday, March 11th, 2014

Obliquestrat gave excellent advice on questions. I'm sure others will chime in.

Have you checked the psychology today website? Once you choose your city you are able to narrow down your choices and there are some pretty good bios for the therapists there many include websites or email addresses and offer free phone consultations. Its the only site I've found with any real info so far.

BS:44
H: 50
Dday #1 Oct 2007 (Porn for 2 yrs)
Dday #2 May 2013 (Porn for 5 more yrs))
Dday#3 May 2014 (finally admitted to drunk kissing OW in 1994: the 2nd drunken kiss with another woman during our M)
DD 22 and DS 18
Married 1993

posts: 700   ·   registered: Mar. 3rd, 2014
id 6719557
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 Alyssamd24 (original poster member #39005) posted at 12:21 AM on Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Fix you,

Yes the psychology today website is the one I have been using. But as I said I don't really know what to select for their specialty choices.

Sometimes the worst thing that happens to you.....the thing you think you can't survive....its the thing that makes you better than you used to be.

posts: 1316   ·   registered: Apr. 16th, 2013   ·   location: Massachusetts
id 6719580
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Actionsoverwords ( member #41949) posted at 12:30 AM on Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Hi Alyssa,

Have you used the "Find a therapist" feature on the Psychology Today website? It allows you to find a therapist within your area and accepts you insurance, along with a list of issues that they specialize in.

When you find a therapist that fits your criteria, don't be afraid to treat it like a job interview and essentially ask questions that see if this person is the best candidate for you.

Your insurance might have a list of counselors in their network. Check their site and run a search on the participating providers name to see if there are any reviews, comments, etc. Then call and interview them.

It's a tedious task, but as my BW often reminds me to help me put things into perspective, "How much time have you put into your [cheating, addiction, lies! affairs! etc.] compared to the work you've done?"

Where there is a will, there is a way. Best of luck to you.

posts: 569   ·   registered: Jan. 7th, 2014
id 6719587
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FixYou71 ( member #42654) posted at 2:02 AM on Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Yeah. I do seem to remember infidelity wasnt exactly on the list but narrowing the bios are helpful. I did wish they had infidelity as a specialty specifically. I do recall some that I viewed mentioned it in their bios.

BS:44
H: 50
Dday #1 Oct 2007 (Porn for 2 yrs)
Dday #2 May 2013 (Porn for 5 more yrs))
Dday#3 May 2014 (finally admitted to drunk kissing OW in 1994: the 2nd drunken kiss with another woman during our M)
DD 22 and DS 18
Married 1993

posts: 700   ·   registered: Mar. 3rd, 2014
id 6719656
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 Alyssamd24 (original poster member #39005) posted at 2:05 AM on Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Thanks, I will check it out again!

Sometimes the worst thing that happens to you.....the thing you think you can't survive....its the thing that makes you better than you used to be.

posts: 1316   ·   registered: Apr. 16th, 2013   ·   location: Massachusetts
id 6719661
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FixYou71 ( member #42654) posted at 9:12 PM on Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Obliquestrat- Hope you don't mind - I copied/pasted your post to forward to another poster (giving you credit) Thought this was good advice as she is getting bad council.

BS:44
H: 50
Dday #1 Oct 2007 (Porn for 2 yrs)
Dday #2 May 2013 (Porn for 5 more yrs))
Dday#3 May 2014 (finally admitted to drunk kissing OW in 1994: the 2nd drunken kiss with another woman during our M)
DD 22 and DS 18
Married 1993

posts: 700   ·   registered: Mar. 3rd, 2014
id 6720628
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somethingremorse ( member #42047) posted at 9:18 PM on Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

I checked for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). This is sort of a state to state designation. Some have it and some do not. In my state, LMFT's need to have extra and specialized training and experience. After I got the small list of locals with that qualification, I checked the listing in Psychology Today to get a description of their practice. I started with the one who talked about couples counseling. Then I talked to her on the phone for half an hour.

I know that not all great MC's have LMFT certifications, and vice versa. But it was a place for me to start. Good luck.

Me: WH (40s)
DDay 11/03/13
In MC and IC

posts: 911   ·   registered: Jan. 13th, 2014   ·   location: Pennsylvania
id 6720636
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