Yes, we have talked about other therapists and approaches they might take compared to approaches my T might take. Also, my T gave me a referral for another T for family therapy with my D, and talked a bit about the people he was providing referrals for--their strengths, why they might be a good fit, etc. For example, he recommended the FT we did choose because he is somewhat shy and reserved and T thought he would be a good fit for my D--not too overwhelming. While doing the family therapy, occasionally my T and I would talk about how it was going or a problem happening in my family and how the FT was addressing it, etc. My T has said a couple of times that he wouldn't have handled that in that way or that he is "more skilled" than that (without really putting the other guy down). I know my T thinks highly of his abilities in a way that is not bragging. He also seemed very moved when I reminded him of the time my D--who is very closed and won't show feelings to anyone--came to see him with our whole family, and he said one thing to her and she opened up and let her sadness come out in tears. That always struck me as amazing that T could do that, and he seemed so moved when I reminded him of this, that I know it is an ability/skill he values highly and liked having me essentially tell him that he has it. (My words were immensely gratifying to him.)

My XH had a serious romantic relationship with a therapist who tried a number of things to push us apart. My XH and I are deeply committed to amicably co-parenting our children, due in part to my T's efforts (he was our couples T also), and the T-girlfriend was jealous of our relationship. She felt we were too close for divorced spouses and said that was dysfunctional. I talked to my T about that, and he referred to her as an "old school" therapist, and says there are a lot of them still out there. Even though he is older than she is, he clearly considers himself beyond "old school" and more up to date on current knowledge of what is effective and healing in couples and family therapy. So that was VERY interesting to me. If I ever had to have couples therapy again, I would want to identify if the T was "old school" or not and avoid those that were. (Some people might like the old school approach. Different strokes....)

My T has a strong humanist influence and has said that in comparison to a number of Ts (in this vein, I assume), he is somewhat directive. I don't see him as directive at all, so this was interesting to me. But compared to a pure Carl Rogers type therapist, he would be considered directive. I told T he didn't seem directive to me, and he seemed really pleased by this. (Like maybe he tries to be directive without the client knowing it, LOL.)

T has also said he believes very strongly in healing and that is his main goal and he seeks to do it quickly. He says some therapists will do talk therapy for years, which can be slow going, and he wants to provide the client with as quick relief from their pain as he can. That is why he likes to learn and use "fast" techniques, such as EMDR, psychodrama, lifespan integration, ego state therapy, etc. He thinks these get at trauma issues more quickly than classic talk therapy. So this approach would contrast him to a more insight-oriented, longterm therapy, psychodynamic T, I believe. And also to a CBT therapist, who is often focused on symptoms rather than healing.

He has also said to me that there are better therapists out there than he is.