My wife, whose system is known as The Keepers, is recovering from DID. We have only been subscribing to Many Voices since December. We were wondering if there have been articles about abuse by therapists, or warning signs of an “evil therapist”. By “evil” I mean anyone who derives their pleasures from tormenting someone who is so vulnerable.

We recently learned that her previous therapist was not what he claimed to be. The Keepers were advised by their new (legitimate) therapist that he should be reported to the state ethics board. With great trepidation, they did. Where this is going from here, we do not know, but Keepers are finding it extremely difficult to stay in therapy after being mistreated and betrayed by not one but two therapists in the last twenty years.

We would like to bring attention to warning signs for DID person and their loved ones to look out for:

• Beware of therapists who cannot prove their degree of certification or misrepresent themselves. If you are considering a therapist check them out as best you can.
• Beware of therapists who lead you to believe that they also have multiples like you do. It is one thing to be in touch with your inner self, but to say your little ones understand or your motherly side can comfort them, is all bull.
• Beware of therapists who will not read the latest articles or go to seminars because they think it is bologna or they know more already, or they don’t respect psychologists and /or psychiatrists. Honest to God, this is what this one therapist said to us!
• Beware of therapists who say they will talk with another of your doctors, be it MD or another therapist and then do not follow through.
• Beware of therapists who say no one else can understand you like they do, because of their experience with you or because they have “connected” with you, for whatever reason.
• Beware of therapists who will not sign their name or position/title. This one used a “nickname”. Never once did we ever receive anything in writing from him in his own name with his title or position.
• Beware of any therapist who promotes, allows, or encourages any sort of sexual interfacing between them and you, for whatever reason. It is never appropriate and is only for their benefit, not yours.
• Keep a diary of your therapy or have a loved one do it or perhaps both of you, especially if there appears to be anything unusual. No matter how many perspectives this results in, it is and will be beneficial.
• Beware of therapists who constantly complain about how much they are going through, how they are taking abuse from you, how you treat them badly.
• Beware of therapists who tell you they are the only one who can nurture you, who knows how to treat you best.