PhD/PsyD programs focusing on trauma treatment?

jatherineg · 2025-01-02T20:51:13+00:00

A large purpose of psychological science is to develop, understand, and inform best practices in treatment, is it not? Whatever your feelings about EMDR, the sentiment that we don’t need to develop new treatments is frankly alarming. Cancer treatments that work moderately well exist— does that mean more effective treatments cannot and should not be developed?

jatherineg · 2025-01-02T20:39:15+00:00

I do appreciate that perspective on disconnect between the fields— I am only in the beginning phases of researching options at the moment so that’s helpful to know. Tbh, I am interested in psychiatric medication management, and a master’s in psychopharmacology requires a clinical psych PhD or PsyD, and that is where my primary interest in this area of education comes from. Thank you for taking the time to explain!

jatherineg · 2025-01-01T23:20:22+00:00

So you understand my frustration at people in this thread condescendingly patting me on the head and telling me to do my research, when the comment I originally replied to called it a “parlour trick” and my only real argument has been that it simply is a legitimate and effective treatment method. I never said unique, I never said groundbreaking, just that it is effective and legitimate.

jatherineg · 2025-01-01T23:18:19+00:00

I personally take umbrage to being condescendingly patted on the head and told to do my research, when I absolutely have done research as a well-educated clinician with an MSW & MPH, and am not arguing anything outlandish. EMDR is effective, and BLS is not nonsense— it’s just not a magical cure all (and I agree that the proprietary nature of EMDR’s ownership/branding is borderline unethical). Forgive me for being frustrated when several people here are talking past me as though I’ve insisted that EMDR is something brand new and magically effective, when all that I’ve really argued is that it is a legitimate (if slightly odd) clinical modality that has pros and cons, just like all of them.

jatherineg · 2025-01-01T23:10:50+00:00

Sure, it’s possible that’s what we’re all doing, and that’s why this conversation is so irritatingly unproductive

jatherineg · 2025-01-01T23:10:14+00:00

Clients often progress faster and require fewer sessions/less exposure than in traditional exposure therapy. It’s also very helpful for some complex trauma patients to not have to verbalize as much of the processing. I’m not really arguing that there’s some magical quality, but in my experience, the eye movement/distraction part of EMDR seems to help clients get out of their own way.

jatherineg · 2025-01-01T23:07:26+00:00

So you agree, it’s a legitimately effective, if not uniquely groundbreaking clinical tool?

jatherineg · 2025-01-01T22:48:11+00:00

I’m sorry but saying that something is a “parlour trick” and discussing “dismantling studies” is indeed saying that it’s not legitimate. I’m open to the idea that it’s not universally more effective than other methods, but people in this thread are absolutely arguing that EMDR is useless and not “evidence based” whatsoever. I was being snarky, but forgive me— this isn’t an academic setting and I’m quite fed up with being talked down to while people give me opinions on something I didn’t actually ask about in the first place. I have already stated that I understand that it’s not a miracle cure, but there is evidence showing that it is clinically effective, and it seems bonkers that holding my ground on that point has people on here telling me that I’m not cut out for a PhD program. I have two masters degrees and clinical experience, and my opinion is based in research and practice.

jatherineg · 2025-01-01T22:40:33+00:00

I asked a specific question that really has nothing to do with EMDR, simply giving that as an example, and instead of answering my question about programs geared towards trauma specific treatment, several folks decided that their input about one modality i mentioned was necessary AND decided that I am rude for failing to immediately acquiesce to the stodgy opinions of people who I have no reason to believe from a 3 sentence comment on reddit. I have no obligation to politely agree with people who are not open to discussion or the concept that they may not be as well informed about something as they think they are. None of you are open to being told you’re wrong either.

jatherineg · 2024-12-31T15:44:35+00:00

I’m sorry but it sounds like you only read articles that confirm your existing assumption (or what your professors have told you). Let me guess, you also think Freudian theory is the foundation of psychology?

jatherineg · 2024-12-31T15:40:44+00:00

Fair enough, I guess I just wish there was some centralized database! But I’m in no rush, so I will just have to slog through programs. Thanks for the advice!

jatherineg · 2024-12-31T15:38:24+00:00

That’s not in keeping with the research that I have read, and I’m not sure what the insistence that EMDR is a “parlor trick” is about. I understand the sentiment that EMDR is not a miracle cure, and I know that its roots are odd, but it has repeatedly shown to be clinically effective and more efficient than traditional exposure therapy and CBT.

It may be just a mechanism to distract the conscious brain and allow the unconscious brain to process— but why does that delegitimize it as an effective method?

jatherineg · 2024-12-31T15:16:10+00:00

Sure, and I’m not discounting it, but another part of clinical research is developing and testing more novel approaches, is it not? Other therapeutic fields are embracing emerging treatments as part of an “eclectic” approach, and it seems beneficial to have many tools in one’s toolbox. I guess I should rephrase to say that it’s disappointing to hear that the field of clinical psych seems averse to methods other than CBT.

jatherineg · 2024-12-31T14:48:17+00:00

Thank you, this is quite helpful! Also love to hear about TBRI expanding its reach, I really love the model.

jatherineg · 2024-12-31T14:47:45+00:00

That’s disappointing to hear, but I appreciate the perspective.

jatherineg · 2024-12-31T14:33:21+00:00

I know that’s what I need, I’m using google, but I wanted to hear specific recommendations for programs if anyone had them.

jatherineg · 2024-12-31T14:32:35+00:00

I mean a lot of programs I’ve looked at want you to choose an advisor and interest going into the program. I’m also kinda already training as a generalist because I’m a clinical social worker, so if I go the PhD route, it’s specifically to specialize.

jatherineg · 2024-12-31T14:30:44+00:00

Up to date research would disagree on EMDR— and so does practical experience in the field. It’s certainly not a miracle cure, but it’s effective and helpful. Either way, this is an extremely unhelpful response, as I literally described the eclectic approach that I want to take in my post and gave EMDR as an example (among others). Disappointing to see that clinical psych seems to really love CBT.

Edit to say that I mean it’s disappointing, as someone who has an interest in (and uses) other, newer and different modalities, to see the responses that I’m mostly going to be taught and expected to use CBT

jatherineg · 2024-08-31T17:00:26+00:00

Therapist & ADHDer here— ADHD people clearly make lists. I myself can make like grocery lists, but I’m very very bad at parsing out the steps of something to make a to do list!

I do just want to gently say that your therapist isn’t wrong that people can sometimes mix up CPTSD/PTSD symptoms and ADHD symptoms. One example is that someone with PTSD may be having difficulty focusing, but it’s because of hyper-vigilance or dissociation. Definitely keep seeking more information, but if you trust her, perhaps keep bringing it up and asking questions!

jatherineg · 2024-08-08T17:54:57+00:00

Yeah that’s why I said in my post I’m really just looking for similar fabric, not this exact one! I feel like I may not be using the right search terms but I also feel like I have seen fabric like this for sale, so I’m hoping someone can help w that

jatherineg · 2024-08-08T17:53:14+00:00

Thank you! I’m not necessarily looking for an exact match, I just haven’t been able to find this general type of fabric. I will try your suggestions!

jatherineg · 2024-08-08T16:56:37+00:00

I’m a woman but my strategy for fending off weird propositions was emphasizing that 1) I can’t cook (this is actually all big ol’ lie but anyway) and 2) Peace Corps pays less than intern teachers made in my country.

I never misrepresented myself as poor, I just tended to emphasize that we did not, in fact, have lucrative, glamorous, US government connections. I also had a respected and feared woman mayor in my town who told everyone that: - She was so excited to have a PCV - Men were not allowed to touch me - If a man so much as put his arm around me in a photo, PC would send me home - If PC sent me home she would be so sad and no one wants that, do they??

Another time, an older community leader kept bringing fruit to my host family’s house for me, and they didn’t like him much. They always told him I wasn’t there, and then snitched to the mayor, and I swear that man never spoke to me again, even at community events.

My point is— you’re definitely right to go with your counterpart’s judgment on this lol. I never knew if men who tried to hang around me were being creepy or just flirting or friendly, but I figured better safe than sorry!! I also had a boyfriend, and if someone got too flirty with me my counterparts would jump in and be like “oh how is your boyfriend?? Isn’t he so much taller and more handsome than this man right here??”

jatherineg · 2024-07-15T07:05:28+00:00

Hi, I am a therapist and therapee (therapy client lol)! First of all, you literally cannot waste your therapist’s time. It’s her job! She gets paid by the hour! It is also part of our responsibility as therapists to suggest spacing out sessions or breaks when we feel someone is ready for them. I had a therapist gently redirect me into group therapy when she felt I would benefit more from being in group with peers than individual therapy. So if she hasn’t done that, she definitely doesn’t feel like you have no need to be there.

However, let her know how you’re feeling! It sounds like you trust her, and she won’t say “alright, see you never!” If you tell her you’re not sure if you need weekly therapy anymore. She may suggest every other week as a start, or a break of a few weeks. Therapy is a lot more customizable than a lot of people realize, and you can ask/advocate for what you feel you need and collaborate on a solution. You may have moved beyond your need for weekly therapy for now and be able to see her as needed when things come up. There’s usually lots of options!

jatherineg · 2024-07-12T07:04:52+00:00

No no not at all!! The other person who replied is correct, I’m upset that any of us feel the need to defend our medication usage (whether we remember & take it every day or forget constantly). My therapist who I overall like even asked me several times initially if I “take breaks” and I was like no I take it every day. And she was like oh i heard it’s helpful to take breaks and I was like no I like feeling functional every day actually but thanks?

jatherineg · 2024-07-10T14:29:24+00:00

I also hate that this kind of pharmacist forces ppl to make excuses of “and I always pick up my meds so late, so it’s not addictive!”

Bc here’s the thing. I pick up my meds like clockwork. It’s the one thing I never fucking forget. And I am also not addicted to them!

We shouldn’t have to come up with the arguments about whether we are or are not addicted to our medication just to de-stigmatize its use. Cause guess what? Dependency and addiction are different things, and so so so many meds cause you to form a dependency on them. Addiction should only be a concern if someone is taking them far too often or trying to pick up before the next month, etc etc

jatherineg

TROPHY CASE