Seeing a counselor who has a "abuse history" themselves or someone who hasn't had one?

Tobey

How about one that is experienced in treating abuse survivors, especially males?

I can recommend one not to see - Dr. Steve.

If someone has a history of abuse in their past, I would want to make sure they have moved well beyond it in their own healing. Otherwise, it could (possibly) make for an unhealthy situation. On the other hand, they would understand the issue from a different perspective.

I wouldn't make my decision based upon this fact personally. See which one your gut feels or tells you is the one that will help you the most. And go with that one.

I think I've seen Ken put a link up to an article written and on this site somewhere about selecting a therapist. You may want to check that out and I don't know for sure where that article is.

Don

The charity I work for employs about ten therapists and we work solely with sex abuse Survivors.
I have no idea at all if any of the therapists are Survivors.
I don't know if the one I saw was either.

I'm training to become a counsellor at the moment, and I would try not to disclose to any client my history. It's THEIR time, not mine.
Obviously my personal experience will colour the relationship, but hopefully in a positive manner.
Any issues I have I would take to supervision or deal with in my personal therapy.
I wouldn't be strict about disclosing, if it was in the clients best interests I might do it, but not until I had taken the issue to supervision.

A lot of counselors and therapists enter the proffesion because they have experienced the benefits of good help themselves, and if they needed help in the first place they must have had some problems.
Personally I think we as Survivors need someone who really knows about abuse and it's effects.
Who are the experts?

Dave

I agree with the idea that the important thing is if the therapist is skilled in treating male survivors of sexual assault. Yoiu might get lucky with someone who has not made that a study. But experience seems to help. Personally, I like female therapists more--but that is my hang up about talking to a guy about waht happened and wondering if he feels superior to me.

Bob

From A Consumer's Guide to Therapist Shopping:
Ken

Thanks all - you said things how I was thinking about it. First of all it is almost immpossible to find someone who has experience dealing with MALES who have had these experiences. I went to one person and they looked like I had come from outer space ...I left before the time was up. I have never tried a female counselor mine have always been male. I want to stick with a male counselor just need to find a good one.

Tobey

Something you may want to try (if you haven't) is e-mailing Mike Lew or his colleagues. They were able to put me in touch with someone in my area who had experience dealing with male SA survivors. Good luck.

That is interesting thinking. I have only had one therapist, and so have nothing for comparing. But yes, I think what is most important is their experience in dealing with us, survivors, specially male survivors.

leosha