That's a hard one I say stick it out a few more times and if she really doesn't get it ask if they can help you find another therapist on a sliding scale maybe?
I myself don't go to therapy although I desperately need to.

In November I called my local suicide hotline and they patched me through to my therapist. She was very professional while on the phone with the crisis line and me and told me to come in right away. In a depression so profound I drive over there( about an hour out) for her to tell me I was too sick for her or anyone in her office.

Lookin back, I get pissed I was suicidal and she chose that moment to drop me. I could have killed myself, I'm still wondering if I should report her.

Therapists sometimes don't know there ass from a hole in the ground...

I bet your therapist is a LCSW, right? LCSWs are glorified social workers, not clinical psychologists, all of which have doctorates. I have never had good experiences with LCSWs. Actually I believe that clinical psychologists 'Psy. D' are better than psychiatrists. Psychiatrists are doctors. They study medicine and then about three years of psychology. A clinical psychologist studies psychology for about 7 years. Still, we need the psychiatrists, as they are the ones that can write prescriptions. In the past they used to give therapy, but with the present healthcare system they no longer do that, only spending about 10 minutes per patient, enough to write refills. A clinical psychologist will spend at least 45 minutes with you.
Having said that, not all psychologists are good, either.
I fired one last year because I would talk and talk and he would not give me any feedback, just taking notes and looking bored.
You need a therapist that is engaging, that will have a conversation with you and smart and knowledgeable enough to squeeze key questions within the give and take.
Also, a competent therapist will never diagnose you until he or she has seen you several times, even up to 12 times, as they do not check off possible disorders in order to reach the correct one, but instead check off those they can tell you do not have and in the end they will know which disorder you do have. A good one would also give you standarized tests, such as the MMPI test, which is a very long list of questions that is used as a tool to detect your psychological profile.
Give this therapist one more chance at least and if she still acts the same way you can ask her why she said so or you can ask to see the other one.
Good luck.

Don't underestimate the value of having someone to complain to!

Venting to someone who actually listens and gives feedback can be extremely helpful.

Maybe ask her to explain both of those statements.

By (1) Does she mean that the love you need can't be found in therapy?

I think keep going with this one for a while before ditching her. I think a lot can be gained from therapy, and lets face it, no professional fully understands us.

Justletmebe that therapist is so effing awful I just don't know what to say. What a complete bitch. I would report her for sure.

Don't underestimate the value of having someone to complain to!

Venting to someone who actually listens and gives feedback can be extremely helpful.

Maybe ask her to explain both of those statements.

By (1) Does she mean that the love you need can't be found in therapy?

I think keep going with this one for a while before ditching her. I think a lot can be gained from therapy, and lets face it, no professional fully understands us.

Justletmebe that therapist is so effing awful I just don't know what to say. What a complete bitch. I would report her for sure.

Don't underestimate the value of having someone to complain to!

Venting to someone who actually listens and gives feedback can be extremely helpful.

Maybe ask her to explain both of those statements.

By (1) Does she mean that the love you need can't be found in therapy?

I think keep going with this one for a while before ditching her. I think a lot can be gained from therapy, and lets face it, no professional fully understands us.

Justletmebe that therapist is so effing awful I just don't know what to say. What a complete bitch. I would report her for sure.

Don't underestimate the value of having someone to complain to!

Venting to someone who actually listens and gives feedback can be extremely helpful.

Maybe ask her to explain both of those statements.

By (1) Does she mean that the love you need can't be found in therapy?

I think keep going with this one for a while before ditching her. I think a lot can be gained from therapy, and lets face it, no professional fully understands us.

Justletmebe that therapist is so effing awful I just don't know what to say. What a complete bitch. I would report her for sure.

Don't underestimate the value of having someone to complain to!

Venting to someone who actually listens and gives feedback can be extremely helpful.

Maybe ask her to explain both of those statements.

By (1) Does she mean that the love you need can't be found in therapy?

I think keep going with this one for a while before ditching her. I think a lot can be gained from therapy, and lets face it, no professional fully understands us.

Justletmebe that therapist is so effing awful I just don't know what to say. What a complete bitch. I would report her for sure.

I am sorry for the multiple posts, DS froze up and went funny on me.

I don't know that much at all can be achieved in one therapy session other then a meeting and perhaps some history taken.. an 'initial' assessment.... it isn't reasonable to expect more.. I would give her a second chance if it were me and ask her why she thinks you don't need therapy..
Therapy is all about positive change and working through difficult times in our lives... ultimately it's about changing ourselves for the better..xo

DS sure is glitching a lot today....that said, I agree that having someone to complain to is in itself an assett. And we don't really know what you told her you need/want out of therapy so it's hard for us to say if it's a realistic expectation.

I would write down your concrete goals and expectations and see if they sound realistic to yourself; you can also use us as a sounding board. It may be that they are fine but that your therapist lacks the training to work with your issues (like is an LCSW) or that they aren't really therapy-type of goals.

Sometimes in the initial stages of therapy we pour our hearts out without being specific; I've had years of therapy and only recently do I feel I know how to zero in on what I expect to get out of it.

You have often said you want to be taken care of; I don't think this will really happen anywhere, said to say. Unless you are in a true nursing home or something. Or at least define what "taken care of" exactly means.

Also, it would be useful to use us as a sounding board to how clear and coherent you are being. Mania can make us talk jumbled and rambling; psychosis of course can make us talk utter nonsense.

I think you will eventually get where you want to go. You just need a little guidance and to have realistic expectations.

I can't speak for you but I would go in there and say..well I am diagnosed with bipolar disorder so I need someone to process with, to teach me skills to help me cope and to give me regular support.

It has been interesting to me that my counselor, who is also LCSW, ( I used to have a licensed psychotherapist who in my oppion was much more qualified) has tried to downplay my need for her at times. I had to sock it to her one day and just tell her" now look I am one of those people who needs regular supports and this is the most important one I've got. I won't be rushed out by anyone claiming I have recovered and don't need support". I think she started to get it after I told her that.

I agree with the others. Give it a few more visits. She can't possibly know much with just one session with you. I like what merrymay said about learning skills to cope. She may just get it then. Good luck.

Heretic,
You don't usually take one session to make a conclusion that she won't work. it took me a few weeks to figure out if I liked my therapist. I see a Licensed Professional Counselor and she has experience with BP. She usually does DBT with me and its all about coping mechanisms

Good Luck

I totally second what Zsa said.

Did you want to tell us more of what you told her, and bounce off us what you would like to tell her next?

When is your next appointment with her? Maybe she will understand you more and be less confused the more time she spends with you.

I just get the feeling that LCSWs are way over their heads when treating BPs and other serious disorders. They would much rather be marriage counselors or just handle temporary problems, not a lifetime disorder. Like I already said, LCSWs do not have near the training or knowledge of a clinical psychologist. In my book they are nothing more than glorified social workers.