i think something like "mike" and "michael" are fairly common, interchangeably. so it wouldn't weird me out too much. my old therapist i am fairly sure used completely different names, however (e.g., "michael" instead of "charles") and i asked him about it but he didn't give me a clear answer.

re: finding things out. eh. i found my current T's facebook. it has pictures of his house and decor in it, ffs. i don't feel guilty because anyone with any net savvy should know better by now. he also gave me a copy of a letter for my uni which had his letterhead on it - work, mobile, home numbers, private email, home address etc. so i just figure he doesn't care so much for privacy, and i appreciate that because it reassures me that he has nothing to hide.

pdoc on the other hand - i can find his name listed at the hospital he works at, and that's about it.