Chicago Therapists Who ACTUALLY Specialize in Trauma
October 21, 2017 3:21 AM Subscribe
I live in Chicago, and need recommendations for good therapists who actually have their specialty in trauma, as opposed to just using it as a keyword.
Adults who suffered non-sexual trauma in childhood, I guess. I'm deeply reluctant to claim the "trauma" mantle, given that I was never sexually abused and had parents who loved me. But I ended up taking the "family protector" role as a young teenager in circumstances that I shouldn't have had to, and I got physically abused by peers through junior high and high school. I had very un-affirming experiences in a small college community and as a new adult. As such, in my early 40s, I generally feel very hostile to the world and to the future; if they were on my face, my true emotions would often be a snarl.
I'm virginal, constantly actively planning for the worst in every circumstance with very little hope for any future. I don't feel suicidal, mostly because I love my parents and don't want to do that to them; I'm afraid of oblivion; and part of me knows that to kill one's self is to permanently rule out any chance of positive change.
tl;dr - My whole self is stuck on permanent threat assessment scan.
I stopped seeing my former therapist after 15 years because there was no change to or erosion of this hostility, and in our exit interviews, it wasn't a surprise; her proposed plan of attack would not have been effective. (Pretty much, "experience safety in this room and let it melt you.") Answers to a question here suggested a solid trauma therapist, one knowledgeable in various techniques such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, IFS, and somatic approaches.
So, here's why this became another question: Jesus crud, looking at the recommended Psychology Today website, everybody and their freakin' mother seems to list trauma as a specialty.
I need some help to cut down the leads. I need to find people who actually are good in this field -- I feel like I'm getting older far too quickly, and I want to work hard to get myself to a healthy place and a healthy life. I am so damn lonely, and all I want to do is hug and be hugged, to make a meal with someone who is happy to be there with me. (That's why I'm still a virgin; I know a sex worker won't give me that.)
So I don't have time to work through a bunch of bad therapists, and thus need good leads. (Ideally ones that take BlueCross, but if they don't, maybe I can work with out-of-network fees.)
One small note: when I looked up IFS, I kinda dug it. I think I've been doing some version of that on my own for a long while -- when I was a teenager, I read Sybil and liked the mental model. So knowledge of IFS might be a plus ... but the bottom line is I'm looking for someone good.
Adults who suffered non-sexual trauma in childhood, I guess. I'm deeply reluctant to claim the "trauma" mantle, given that I was never sexually abused and had parents who loved me. But I ended up taking the "family protector" role as a young teenager in circumstances that I shouldn't have had to, and I got physically abused by peers through junior high and high school. I had very un-affirming experiences in a small college community and as a new adult. As such, in my early 40s, I generally feel very hostile to the world and to the future; if they were on my face, my true emotions would often be a snarl.
I'm virginal, constantly actively planning for the worst in every circumstance with very little hope for any future. I don't feel suicidal, mostly because I love my parents and don't want to do that to them; I'm afraid of oblivion; and part of me knows that to kill one's self is to permanently rule out any chance of positive change.
tl;dr - My whole self is stuck on permanent threat assessment scan.
I stopped seeing my former therapist after 15 years because there was no change to or erosion of this hostility, and in our exit interviews, it wasn't a surprise; her proposed plan of attack would not have been effective. (Pretty much, "experience safety in this room and let it melt you.") Answers to a question here suggested a solid trauma therapist, one knowledgeable in various techniques such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, IFS, and somatic approaches.
So, here's why this became another question: Jesus crud, looking at the recommended Psychology Today website, everybody and their freakin' mother seems to list trauma as a specialty.
I need some help to cut down the leads. I need to find people who actually are good in this field -- I feel like I'm getting older far too quickly, and I want to work hard to get myself to a healthy place and a healthy life. I am so damn lonely, and all I want to do is hug and be hugged, to make a meal with someone who is happy to be there with me. (That's why I'm still a virgin; I know a sex worker won't give me that.)
So I don't have time to work through a bunch of bad therapists, and thus need good leads. (Ideally ones that take BlueCross, but if they don't, maybe I can work with out-of-network fees.)
One small note: when I looked up IFS, I kinda dug it. I think I've been doing some version of that on my own for a long while -- when I was a teenager, I read Sybil and liked the mental model. So knowledge of IFS might be a plus ... but the bottom line is I'm looking for someone good.
If you're willing or able to travel to Lake County, MeMail me. I worked with a therapist specializing in trauma and certified in EMDR who takes BCBS PPO.
posted by princesspathos at 8:13 AM on October 21, 2017
posted by princesspathos at 8:13 AM on October 21, 2017
Me again. It appears my former therapist (whom I worked with for five years) now also sees clients in the city. Please MeMail if interested.
posted by princesspathos at 11:42 AM on October 21, 2017
posted by princesspathos at 11:42 AM on October 21, 2017
The Center for Contextual Change is a good place to start. I can vouch for the clinical excellence of David Kessler, LPC. Good luck.
posted by Mrs.Spiffy at 4:42 PM on October 21, 2017
posted by Mrs.Spiffy at 4:42 PM on October 21, 2017
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You may want to look for therapists that do IFS specificly because it isn't something that everyone does.
The rush day hospital is an unorthodox approach for php if your experience significant functional issues. They are pretty trauma informed, but it's an intense program.
I recommend getting a therapist that can do EMDR in house, it's useful, and shows the therapist had taken the time for additional training and certification in something trauma based.
There aren't too many IFS, EMDR therapists out there and it should limit your search.
posted by AlexiaSky at 7:02 AM on October 21, 2017