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Would you prefer to see a therapist who was also AS?

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shubunkin
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29 Mar 2013, 9:31 am

BuyerBeware wrote:
It would be nice in some ways-- great to commiserate with someone who can see through my eyes.

But basically I'm investing my time and money for NT lessons and reality checking from a sane person. I'm not interested in investing $145 and 3 hours out of my week in the blind leading the blind.



So let me get this straight ....

If I am an aspie therapist I am not sane ( by your inference ), and am open to discrimination from employers and future clients ...

nice ! :lol:



shubunkin
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29 Mar 2013, 9:35 am

nessa238 wrote:
shubunkin wrote:
No it doesn't imply anything of the sort !

If someone is a trained, experienced therapist or mental health professional - who in addition to their training and experience has also got their own understanding and personal experience of living with being on the spectrum . . . .

why would you suggest that this person would be unsuited to do the job or not have any particular skills to bring to the role?

would you say that to an addictions counsellor who had beaten their addiction ?

Not only are your comments and language frankly discriminatory, I found them pretty insulting, until I realised that you may have never had many positive role models with AS, and must have a very limited view of what we may be capable of.


People on this forum have Aspergers and I rarely feel I have anything in common with them or relate to them so why would a therapist with Asperger's Syndrome be any different?

I don't see how it's insulting either; surely it's just my preference

I wouldn't want to see an addiction counsellor who had beaten their addiction either - I don't have a lot of time for the whole addiction care industry full stop - I've seen what many of the people are like in it


Would you refuse to see a GP or a psychologist who is on the spectrum as well ?
Or any other professional ?
A teacher ?

Do they all get shunned too ?

No wonder aspies on this forum despair - if we can't even support each other ! !! !



nessa238
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29 Mar 2013, 9:36 am

shubunkin wrote:
BuyerBeware wrote:
It would be nice in some ways-- great to commiserate with someone who can see through my eyes.

But basically I'm investing my time and money for NT lessons and reality checking from a sane person. I'm not interested in investing $145 and 3 hours out of my week in the blind leading the blind.



So let me get this straight ....

If I am an aspie therapist I am not sane ( by your inference ), and am open to discrimination from employers and future clients ...

nice ! :lol:


I think what they mean is that an NT therapist will be better able to advise a person on how to live in a predominantly NT society ie they will give the NT view on things, which is of use if a person wants to integrate into NT society

A whole session of 'Oh God yes! I get that too!', while comforting won't be that helpful in practical terms in my opinion

Why aren't there any/many AS therapists? I've never come across any

Probably because most realise that people skills aren't their forte



nessa238
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29 Mar 2013, 9:38 am

shubunkin wrote:
nessa238 wrote:
shubunkin wrote:
No it doesn't imply anything of the sort !

If someone is a trained, experienced therapist or mental health professional - who in addition to their training and experience has also got their own understanding and personal experience of living with being on the spectrum . . . .

why would you suggest that this person would be unsuited to do the job or not have any particular skills to bring to the role?

would you say that to an addictions counsellor who had beaten their addiction ?

Not only are your comments and language frankly discriminatory, I found them pretty insulting, until I realised that you may have never had many positive role models with AS, and must have a very limited view of what we may be capable of.


People on this forum have Aspergers and I rarely feel I have anything in common with them or relate to them so why would a therapist with Asperger's Syndrome be any different?

I don't see how it's insulting either; surely it's just my preference

I wouldn't want to see an addiction counsellor who had beaten their addiction either - I don't have a lot of time for the whole addiction care industry full stop - I've seen what many of the people are like in it


Would you refuse to see a GP or a psychologist who is on the spectrum as well ?
Or any other professional ?
A teacher ?

Do they all get shunned too ?

No wonder aspies on this forum despair - if we can't even support each other ! !! !


I wouldn't seek out a GP or psychologist who was on the spectrum

Many probably wouldn't disclose it anyway

Your question was would I choose one over an NT and my answer was I'd generally choose on other criteria than the ASD

I'm not shunning anyone, I'm just wanting to see a person who is best at the job, regardless of neurology

You seem to be implying that I should see the therapist with Aspergers just because they have Aspergers

I will see the person I like best and who I think can solve my problem best



VeggieGirl
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29 Mar 2013, 9:42 am

nessa238 wrote:

I'd be interested to know if anyone on WP actually is a therapist



I am a therapist. I am still in school for it, but I have a master's degree and have been providing therapy for two and a half years.



nessa238
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29 Mar 2013, 9:43 am

shubunkin wrote:
nessa238 wrote:
shubunkin wrote:
No it doesn't imply anything of the sort !

If someone is a trained, experienced therapist or mental health professional - who in addition to their training and experience has also got their own understanding and personal experience of living with being on the spectrum . . . .

why would you suggest that this person would be unsuited to do the job or not have any particular skills to bring to the role?

would you say that to an addictions counsellor who had beaten their addiction ?

Not only are your comments and language frankly discriminatory, I found them pretty insulting, until I realised that you may have never had many positive role models with AS, and must have a very limited view of what we may be capable of.


People on this forum have Aspergers and I rarely feel I have anything in common with them or relate to them so why would a therapist with Asperger's Syndrome be any different?

I don't see how it's insulting either; surely it's just my preference

I wouldn't want to see an addiction counsellor who had beaten their addiction either - I don't have a lot of time for the whole addiction care industry full stop - I've seen what many of the people are like in it


Would you refuse to see a GP or a psychologist who is on the spectrum as well ?
Or any other professional ?
A teacher ?

Do they all get shunned too ?

No wonder aspies on this forum despair - if we can't even support each other ! !! !


I offer support to people on this forum

Just because a person with Aspergers sets themself up as a therapist does not mean I am duty-bound as another person with Aspergers to see them

Is it yourself who is a therapist or thinking of becoming one?



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29 Mar 2013, 9:44 am

VeggieGirl wrote:
nessa238 wrote:

I'd be interested to know if anyone on WP actually is a therapist



I am a therapist. I am still in school for it, but I have a master's degree and have been providing therapy for two and a half years.


That's interesting

Are you in America?

What type of therapy do you offer?



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29 Mar 2013, 9:48 am

VeggieGirl wrote:
nessa238 wrote:

I'd be interested to know if anyone on WP actually is a therapist



I am a therapist. I am still in school for it, but I have a master's degree and have been providing therapy for two and a half years.





I should also mention that I am sure I was slower to get the hang of doing therapy than most people. But, I am doing pretty well now, in my opinion, my supervisors' opinions, and my professors' opinions. Also, I do not feel that I would be in a good position to be teaching social skills to people on the spectrum, since I still struggle with social skills in my own life. BUT, if they wanted to work on other things, related or not to an ASD, I think I would be in a good position to work with them, because I do have a personal understanding of what it is like to have an ASD (I have AS). Also, I do not disclose my AS to my clients.



VeggieGirl
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29 Mar 2013, 9:49 am

nessa238 wrote:
VeggieGirl wrote:
nessa238 wrote:

I'd be interested to know if anyone on WP actually is a therapist



I am a therapist. I am still in school for it, but I have a master's degree and have been providing therapy for two and a half years.


That's interesting

Are you in America?

What type of therapy do you offer?



Yes, I am in America. I offer psychodynamic therapy and some cognitive-behavioral therapy. I have also done psychological assessments/testing, and I would like to get more experience at doing that, because I am probably strongest in that area of treatment.



shubunkin
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29 Mar 2013, 9:50 am

nessa238 wrote:
shubunkin wrote:
BuyerBeware wrote:
It would be nice in some ways-- great to commiserate with someone who can see through my eyes.

But basically I'm investing my time and money for NT lessons and reality checking from a sane person. I'm not interested in investing $145 and 3 hours out of my week in the blind leading the blind.



So let me get this straight ....

If I am an aspie therapist I am not sane ( by your inference ), and am open to discrimination from employers and future clients ...

nice ! :lol:


I think what they mean is that an NT therapist will be better able to advise a person on how to live in a predominantly NT society ie they will give the NT view on things, which is of use if a person wants to integrate into NT society

A whole session of 'Oh God yes! I get that too!', while comforting won't be that helpful in practical terms in my opinion

Why aren't there any/many AS therapists? I've never come across any

Probably because most realise that people skills aren't their forte



I'm definitely going to pursue training in this area now, thanks, these posts have really encouraged me !



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29 Mar 2013, 9:50 am

I think that it would be wonderful if more aspies become psychologists/psychiatrists. That way they can provide more personal insights into what we go through, and also have professional credibility. I would assert furthermore that part of being a psychologist is being able to understand personalities, and societies, that differ from one's own. So an aspie therapist should, I would expect, be able through studies to be familiar with persons other than her own psychology. I myself only have a high school elective level knowledge of Psychology. But even with that I think that I can better understand others. In particalar, I feel that I can better relate to Psychologists. :lol:



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29 Mar 2013, 10:01 am

VeggieGirl wrote:
VeggieGirl wrote:
nessa238 wrote:

I'd be interested to know if anyone on WP actually is a therapist



I am a therapist. I am still in school for it, but I have a master's degree and have been providing therapy for two and a half years.





I should also mention that I am sure I was slower to get the hang of doing therapy than most people. But, I am doing pretty well now, in my opinion, my supervisors' opinions, and my professors' opinions. Also, I do not feel that I would be in a good position to be teaching social skills to people on the spectrum, since I still struggle with social skills in my own life. BUT, if they wanted to work on other things, related or not to an ASD, I think I would be in a good position to work with them, because I do have a personal understanding of what it is like to have an ASD (I have AS). Also, I do not disclose my AS to my clients.


So you don't advertise yourself as a therapist with Asperger's Syndrome, you just say you have a good understanding of Asperger issues?

In which case, the OP wouldn't be able to choose yourself as the preferable 'Asperger Therapist' anyway, as you aren't making your Asperger's Syndrome known to anyone



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29 Mar 2013, 10:03 am

nessa238 wrote:

So you don't advertise yourself as a therapist with Asperger's Syndrome, you jsut say you have a good understanding of Asperger issues?

In which case, the OP wouldn't be able to choose yourself as the 'Asperger Therapist' anyway as you aren't making your Asperger's Syndrome known to anyone



Yeah, I know the OP couldn't choose me as a therapist with Asperger's. I have talked to one of my professors about my AS (well a few of them), and she said that it could be a niche for me, working with kids on the spectrum when I am on it as well. But for now, I am not open about it to clients. That might change in the future though, I am not sure.



nessa238
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29 Mar 2013, 10:03 am

shubunkin wrote:
nessa238 wrote:
shubunkin wrote:
BuyerBeware wrote:
It would be nice in some ways-- great to commiserate with someone who can see through my eyes.

But basically I'm investing my time and money for NT lessons and reality checking from a sane person. I'm not interested in investing $145 and 3 hours out of my week in the blind leading the blind.



So let me get this straight ....

If I am an aspie therapist I am not sane ( by your inference ), and am open to discrimination from employers and future clients ...

nice ! :lol:


I think what they mean is that an NT therapist will be better able to advise a person on how to live in a predominantly NT society ie they will give the NT view on things, which is of use if a person wants to integrate into NT society

A whole session of 'Oh God yes! I get that too!', while comforting won't be that helpful in practical terms in my opinion

Why aren't there any/many AS therapists? I've never come across any

Probably because most realise that people skills aren't their forte



I'm definitely going to pursue training in this area now, thanks, these posts have really encouraged me !


But the essential qualities for a therapist are patience, tolerance and a non-judgemental nature. You've had a right go at me on this thread - is this how you'd speak to a client who disagreed with advice you were giving?



shubunkin
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29 Mar 2013, 10:04 am

nessa238 wrote:

I offer support to people on this forum

Just because a person with Aspergers sets themself up as a therapist does not mean I am duty-bound as another person with Aspergers to see them

Is it yourself who is a therapist or thinking of becoming one?


I'm glad that you support people on this forum - a lot of them are tired and disillusioned with life, live without diagnoses or understanding and need some empowerment and friendly guidance.

I would never suggest that this effort is substandard because it is offered by other aspies - I suppose I feel that good therapy and counselling is very similar in a lot of ways, to the practical and insightful advice given freely on WP.

I'm one of those recently diagnosed aspies - at times I have felt very uplifted by the comments of people on this board, and encouraged with the efforts they make to reach out to other anonymous aspies.



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29 Mar 2013, 10:05 am

VeggieGirl wrote:
nessa238 wrote:

So you don't advertise yourself as a therapist with Asperger's Syndrome, you jsut say you have a good understanding of Asperger issues?

In which case, the OP wouldn't be able to choose yourself as the 'Asperger Therapist' anyway as you aren't making your Asperger's Syndrome known to anyone



Yeah, I know the OP couldn't choose me as a therapist with Asperger's. I have talked to one of my professors about my AS (well a few of them), and she said that it could be a niche for me, working with kids on the spectrum when I am on it as well. But for now, I am not open about it to clients. That might change in the future though, I am not sure.


You're probably doing the best thing in not disclosing it.