How to Choose a Therapist for Dissociative Identity Disorder

Knowing how to choose a therapist for dissociative identity disorder (DID) is much different from knowing how to choose a car or a box of on-sale cereal. DID treatment can be challenging and there are so many considerations to ponder when choosing a therapy for DID. Do you need a specialist? Do you need a DID therapist? What brand of therapist do you need? What type of treatment does he or she offer?

When searching for a DID therapist, you might look at plenty of names, a profusion of credentials, an abundance of psychological groups, or a plethora of specialties. How do you know which therapist will be a good fit for your unique DID symptoms? What qualities does an effective dissociative identity therapist have? Do you even need a therapist that specializes in DID to become well?

Qualities to Consider Before You Choose a Therapist for DID

Define a 'Good' Therapist

Listed below are 10 qualities to consider in choosing a therapist who is willing to treat DID:

He or she:

1. develops a trusting and healthy therapist-patient relationship.
2. is willing to do additional research on your condition and to admit when he or she does not have an answer to your questions or is wrong about something related to you or your condition.
3. accepts that DID is real and does not shame or judge you for your symptoms. He or she is comfortable with all headmates in the system.
4. does not accuse you of lying because your statements and symptoms might appear to be inconsistent.
5. adapts to the needs of the system. Being a therapist that treats someone with DID means meeting the needs of headmates that might have competing needs. An effective therapist will understand how to address these needs and attempt to meet everyone’s desires. For example, there have been occasions when our littles would come out in session, so our therapist would play checkers or other games with the little ones in our system. This is one way of adapting to the needs of all in the system.
6. gives plenty of notice regarding absences and vacations. An effective and considerate therapist will provide several remarks or warnings that he or she will be unavailable. However, a conscientious therapist will provide alternative and emergency therapists to attend to you in case of emergency and crisis (How to Deal with a Therapist's Absence).
7. will offer additional session(s) if appropriate. While this might not be available all the time, a good therapist who treats DID will understand the need for more support and attention.
8. responds to emails and phone calls in a timely manner, even on the weekends, if possible. A therapist who is willing to check in on you during the week after a tough session makes for an effective DID therapist.
9. will be In it for the long haul and has a history of longevity with his or her patients. Likewise, a good therapist will be someone who won’t run when the going gets tough. The therapist will be tireless, patient, adaptive, and unrelenting in his or her treatment of you.
10. is patient. You should mostly set the pace of therapy but should sometimes allow the therapist to challenge you a little bit more if you can handle it. The therapist should have patience regarding what you are willing to do and can handle.

While all these qualities are wonderful, what makes the most difference in a client/therapist relationship is the connection the two of you have. How well do the two of you get along? How well do you communicate?

Respecting Boundaries in the Therapist-Client Relationship Matters

Should You Choose a Therapist Who Specializes in DID?

My therapist does not specialize in dissociative identity disorder; however, we communicate well, I feel heard, and I believe he has my best interests at heart. While he does not possess every single one of these qualities, he does practice many of them and still maintains his effectiveness as a good therapist.

Finally, this list can be a tall order, and no therapist can be all things to you all the time. If you have a therapist who possesses even some of these qualities, then you have a therapist who is worth holding on to. Also, always let your therapist know how appreciative you and your system are for having the therapist in your life.