Okay - I have my surfboard and ready to ride the wave with you.
When I was going through a really tough time, I saw a psychologist. It was the first time. I was sssooo underwhelmed with her - she didn't help at all. I thought it was something to do with me, maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe the way I was feeling was going to be like this forever.
My GP got me back on track though.
She made me think about this psychologist as someone who is employed by me (well.. technically I was paying her anyways!) and her job description was to get me to a better place. She even had me write a criteria to measure her. Well, needless to say, she fell short!
What this helped me to do though, was to take the "person" who did seem like quite a nice lady, out of the equation. My next appointments with other psychologists was almost like a job interview!
I don't know if framing it like this is helpful - but what I'm getting at is I need to separate the personal from the 'busienss' (aka helping me). It really helped me feel less conflicted about leaving an ineffective MH professional.
Not all therapists are the same, and we're not going to click with all of them. If they aren't fitting your job description, it just means they aren't suitable, not that they are a bad person or not a nice person. They just do things in a way that doesn't fit.
I think it's great that you've had 11 therapists - I know that sounds weird... but I think A LOT of people stay with their therapist because they don't realise they can shop around to get the best fit. OR they live in an area where they don't have many options.
Don't be ashamed or like a failure for moving on - it's takes courage and like all things that take courage, it's hard!
But we will be here through the journey!
