What to do when therapy isn't working out?

[LemonLime]

Mary Poppins, thanks for that.  I hope you will let us know if you end up working with July Rosenberg and if so how it goes.
Do you have to meet with her one on one, or does she have other resources?   Thanks

Boy, the gap in knowledge on this Cluster B stuff is real.  I am feeling quite discouraged after another round of wasted time and money for therapists that don't "get it".  How disappointing.
I will say I still have a tiny bit of hope with my new therapist.   It did take him 3 sessions to finally wonder aloud if my sib has a PD.....even though I had told him from "minute one" that I felt she had one, or at least traits.
I do think the T ego gets in their way most of the time, and they either don't "get it" or they insist on being the one to make the "diagnosis".  Ugh.
It's tempting to do non-T stuff only, such as this website/forum which has been a lifesaver for me.

[mustard_seed]

Hey Mary Poppins-- sorry I'm just now seeing this but Thank you for sharing that resource... I will have to check her out!

It makes sense to find someone who understands the effects of narcissistic/other PD abuse. I hope it goes well for you with her.

Are your support groups online, by chance? I ask because I am in the USA but I've seen some UK support groups as well that were online and seemed like they could be a fit.

I tried a general support group for anxiety last fall and had a pretty terrible experience, so I'm a bit hesitant but would definitely like to hear more. Are your groups moderated? And if so, is it by a trained professional, or a volunteer, or someone else? Just curious to know more about how functional, helpful support groups truly operate. The group I joined was created by an online anxiety guru (actually a licensed therapist but operating her own own online course business), but it was completely unmoderated and felt, honestly, toxic. 

I've heard a lot of good things about the Pete Walker book and EMDR too.

I just finished studying up on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in a course on "Wondrium" (it used to be called the Great Courses) and am writing myself a "treatment plan" for the next few months, at which point I'll revisit the therapy question if I'm not seeing improvement in my symptoms. Psychology is such a young field compared to the other disciplines... and this PD stuff is so fringe... I think we have to be our own advocates and healers in this climate, to be honest. Like, others can help, guide, assist, support... but ultimately, I am the only one who is 100% going to be there for me, if that makes sense.

-Mustard_Seed

[mustard_seed]

LemonLime-- sending you good thoughts as you navigate the therapy journey. I think you're so right that their egos get involved at times and get in the way of treatment. I hope it continues to go well with the promising therapist. As others have reminded me: remember, you're paying for it-- it's for you-- it's OK to advocate for your needs to be met, for your viewpoint to be validated. Trust yourself!
Thanks for sharing about your experiences. Every time I hear about someone on these boards having a similar experience with something I breathe such a sigh of relief and feel less alone. It's a tough road, but we're on it together.
-MustardSeed