26 Ju s t a u t * decomber 1. 2000
Help is out there:
A guide to choosing a therapist
by
H eron
oes your heart sink every time you
even think about the holidays? Do
you dread facing homophobic
Uncle Henry? Does your holiday
menu include lots of unresolved issues? Do you
really need to suffer through it alone?
No. Many services are available to help you
make it through hard times or maybe even
improve your whole outlook on life. And
because Portland has such a huge gay and les
bian population, many of those services are
designed especially for us.
Many people turn some shade of blue dur
ing the holidays, while others wade through
Seasonal Affective Disorder, appropriately
known as SAD. If you suspect your depression
is triggered by gray winter weather and decreas
ing daylight, check out the special clinic at
Oregon Health Sciences University, where
much pioneering research has been done on
the subject.
Or are you seriously depressed? Depression
is so common in our society, it’s called the
common cold of mental illness.
But depression can be life threatening— if
your thoughts are turning toward suicide, get
help immediately. Any area emergency room
can provide immediate assessment and get you
set up with services.
Fortunately, depression is treatable. A psy
chiatrist or a specially prepared nurse practi
tioner can prescribe antidepressants that can
improve your mood by altering your brain
chemistry.
So, before you throw yourself off a bridge, get
help. However, rarely will a psychiatrist have
time to explore your issues, such as how to cope
with your brother George’s habit of trying to
save your soul over Thanksgiving dinner. Most
so-called talk therapy is done by counselors.
What can you expect from a counselor?
Counselors can help you understand yourself and
others. They can help you gain insight, recognize
repeated patterns in your life, develop coping
mechanisms and become a happier person.
with talking candidly to a stranger. If you decide
against a particular therapist, do tell them why
and ask for their referrals. They want a good
match as much as you do, and they often can
suggest a colleague better suited to your issues.
Ask yourself what kind of feedback you
want: someone who talks a lot and gives plenty
of suggestions and/or advice; or perhaps you
really just want someone to listen while you
around you have been through similar times.
vent; or is it sympathy you really seek? If so,
“Holidays are the hardest times for all of
you
might be better off crying on a friend’s
us," Haines says. “Holidays often bring us in
shoulder, as counselors are by their nature
contact with families and religious institu
trained to help you “fix” your problem.
tions that may not be supportive of our
At your first meeting, be prepared to ask a
queer lives.”
lot of questions. Therapists use stun-
Women’s Therapy Northwest, locat
ed in Portland, has prepared a
It IC C tn rtlin n
ningly diverse methods to counsel.
II
lb
blUl
I
liny
Go to that first meeting ready
membership directory, A Guide
for Women and Men Seeking
and important to note with a list of your concerns.
Therapy. This free book lists
•L a n
I
J
±
How does the therapist
that
Oregon
law
does
not
propose to help you? How
109 local counselors as well
long should you expect to
as their qualifications, areas
require
licensing
for
people
wait to see results? Will
of interest, theoretical ori
entation and prices.
offering counseling services, you do all or most of the
talking?
The directory is avail
although
many
colleges
One therapist I explored
able at area stores and
restaurants. To find one near
statewide offer degrees for this article includes
Gestalt, hypnotherapy, mindful
you, call 503-756-3248.
.
». -
Many periodicals, including Just
Ifl COUflSBIUlCJ.
ness, Jin Shin Jyutsu and artwork
ortland counselor Mary Beth Haines,
as her theoretical orientation. Anoth
Ph.D., M.A., offers some advice on
Out, contain large sections of ads from
er lists contemporary rational psychoanalytic
finding a therapist. She works with the
therapists, which can be a good starting place.
Gay Mens Counseling Service.
psychotherapy, movement desensitization and
For such an important decision, consider
Haines suggests asking a trusted friend or co
reprocessing. Whew! Before agreeing to open
auditioning counselors. Many therapists offer a
worker to recommend someone. She points out
free first consultation and often mention that
your wallet and your wounded heart to anyone,
that whatever your problem, you are probably not
in their ads.
you owe it to yourself to know what to expect.
alone, and you might be surprised to find others
It’s a great way to evaluate your comfort level
A big problem in psychotherapy are
clients who fail to advocate for themselves.
Ethical counselors agree you should be in
T h e follow ing is a list o f degrees and credentials included in A Q uide for Women and M en Seeking T herapy :
control of your own therapy. Haines suggests
two to four meetings before you decide to
A.C.S.
Approved Clinical Supervisor
M.F.C.C.
Marriage, Family, Child Counselor - California
change therapists unless, of course, you hate
A.C.S.W.
Academy of Clinical Social Workers
M.F.T.
Marriage, Family Therapist - California
them immediately.
A.D.T.R.
Academy of Dance Therapists, Registered
M.P.S.
Master of Personal Studies Degree
“It’s important to find a good fit,” she
A.T.R.
Registered Art Therapist
M.P.W.
Master of Process Work
explains. If you are not satisfied, say so. “Stand
B.C.D.
Board Certified Diplomate (Social Work)
M.R.E.T.
Master Rapid Eye Technician
up for yourself if it’s not working, but call and
C.A.D.C.
Certified Alcohol/Drug Counselor
M.S.
Master of Science Degree
let them know if you are not coming back, out
C.C.M.H.C.
Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor
M.S.W.
Master of Social Work Degree
of courtesy,” she recommends.
C.G.P.
Certified Group Psychotherapist
M.S.W.A.C.
Master of Social Work, Addictions Counseling
Keep in mind, though, you will be starting
C.H.T.
Certified Hakomi Therapy
N.A.C.C.M.H.C. National Association of Certified
over from scratch with someone new.
C.M.H.C.
Certified Mental Health Counselor - Washington
Clinical Mental Health Counselors
Should you seek out a gay or lesbian thera
C.S.W.
Certified Social Worker - Washington
N.A.CF.T.
National Academy of Certified Family Therapists
pist? If the therapist’s gender or orientation is
C.S.W.A.
Clinical Social Work Associate
N.C.C.
National Certified Counselor
important to you, you might be on your own in
L.C.S.W.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Oregon
N.D.
Naturopathic Doctor
paying the bill.
LM.F.T.
Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist - Oregon
P.A.C.
Certified Physician's Assistant
Your insurance might limit who you can
L.M.T.
Licensed Massage Therapist - Oregon
Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist - Oregon, Washington, California
see and might not have a gay or lesbian
L.P.A.
Licensed Psychology Associate
P.M.H.N.P.
Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner - Oregon
counselor available or might be unwilling to
Licensed Professional Counselor - Oregon
L.P.C.
Psy.D. Licensed Doctorate of Psychology
offer that information. Kaiser Permanente,
Master of Arts Degree
M.A.
R.N.
Registered Nurse - Oregon
for example, will allow you to seek a thera
Master Addictions Counselor
M.A.C.
R.N.C.S.
Registered Nurse Clinical Specialist
pist by gender but declines to divulge a ther
M.Div.
Master of Divinity Degree
R.P.T.-S.
Registered Play Therapist - Supervisor
apist’s orientation. However, Kaiser does
M.Ed.
Master of Education Degree
R.S.W.
Registered Social Worker - Washington
offer some specifically queer group therapy.
And, yes, in this computer age, you even
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