In finding therapists or help, what are you thoughts on people who claim to be experts – and even have the credentials saying they are experts, vs. those who have direct experience working with DID? Obviously people could be both – but feel free to talk about anything related to “experts” of DID.
New Landscape ~ DID/MPD Support Group
New York support group for people with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) / Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD)
An expert in any profession must have both required credentials and a depth of experiece that others in the field do not have. If both of these qualificatons are present a client must then use his/her heart as a guide. Without a sense of loving-connection no “expert” will be helpful and could possibly cause great harm. Unfortunately, I do not know how this last criteria can be met without investing lots of money and time, both of which can be very scarce for a lot of people.
I waited for decades before seeking help because I knew inately that the person I talked to had to fill all of the above criteria. Then, when circumstances forced me to seek help I went to a relion-sponsored agency figuring that someone there would perhaps meet the criteria, especially the “loving-connection” one. I got lucky!
If a choice has to be made between a credentialed therapist with less experience but with gifted interpersonal skills and someone with vast experience but only ordinary interpersonal skills, then I would definitly choose the person with less experience.