I printed the list in the site, its a bit overwhelming. Curious if anyone has any first hand experience or recommendations for a good one.
I've been trying to find a therapist in my area for my anxiety and just to talk with someone after moving to a new area. Turns out, its very hard to find a therapist in my area that takes my insurance. I went to one guy and I really didn't like him.
I found a different therapist who has been doing it for 20 or so years. I really like her and feel comfortable, and she's definitely helped calmed my nerves about various issues and I've had good conversations with her. I've seen her 3 times now, but she hasn't billed me. I asked her about it and she said she can bill my HSA card. But she also hasn't filed a claim against my insurance yet. I brought this up to her and she mentioned she is behind on billing and that she would bill me in the next week or so.
Thinking about it more, I didn't sign any forms before starting therapy with her. I only sent her images of my insurance card. I thought this was a little odd, so I decided to Google her and double check she does take my insurance. I realized the 2nd google result is my state's professional licensing board mentioning her. Turns out, her license was suspended for 3 months due to "boundary violations" and failing to responded to licensing board about said allegations. She was also given probation for 2 years and stayed suspension for 2 years. This was 5-6 years ago.
I was curious of she had any good reviews of her as therapist, so I googled further. Not much of an online presence but I did find this Facebook page mentioned her. It was like a tabloidy local news pages that "exposes" people, seems perfectly content with ruining people's lives for clicks. The article they posted was about how a local therapist got suspended for 3 months after sleeping with a client. The post was very incoherent but it included a video that I guess they stole from her personal Facebook, Instagram or something. She was very angry in the video and admitted to sleeping with and dating, a former client. The video was not a good look.
Reading between the lines of the incoherent tabloid post, its comments, and my therapists angry video, it seems to me like she was in an abusive marriage, and then made the mistake of sleeping with her former (?) client. I have to imagine her ex reported her to the licensing board in retaliation. Its also a small town so shit travels fast.
So, what the hell do I do? I really liked her prior to finding all of this out, and she is a therapist I like in an area where therapy is hard to find with my insurance. Part of me really regrets Googling her more and finding the video, and it certainly did not give off the calm demeanor she gives off in therapy. It makes me feel uneasy.
I also don't believe she should be crucified for her 1 mistake. One of my close friends is also a therapist, and I'm sure if her clients found out her life choices (didn't get suspended by licensing board) my friend made, maybe they would reconsider my friend as thier therapist.
I feel like I need a therapist to talk about the situation with my therapist...