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Originally Posted by RTerroni
I think that this did cross the line some, it would be one thing if he invited just his clients over, especially if he also did group therapy and wanted to use that to possibly see who of his clients might be interested in doing group therapy, but to have family members there as well I think clearly crosses the line.
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I agree with you!
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Originally Posted by BlessedRhiannon
Hmmm - I know this type of T would not work for me. I suppose at a large party, it's not really a breach of confidentiality to invite clients, if it's not JUST clients...I mean, if it's friends, family, co-workers, clients...then you wouldn't know who's a client and who isn't. Until someone is asked how they know the T. Then you get in to the awkwardness of either coming up with a lie or saying that you're a client. If it's only clients at the party, then I think it's a distinct lack of confidentiality, as suddenly, all these other folks know you're seeing this T.
I happen to really LIKE the boundaries of the therapy relationship. I pay T for her time and expertise and in exchange, I get time to talk about what is important to me without worrying about the other person. I think if I had a T that invited me over to their house and socialized with me outside of the therapy relationship, it would start to feel too much like a friendship. I'd start to feel obligated to treat the T as more of a friend - listening to their problems, worrying about what I say to them, supporting them as I support my friends.
Perhaps it works for some people, but I think it's not the most professional way to be.
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My friend doesn't socialize with her T outside of therapy. It was just this one party, but I agree that it is unprofessional.
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Originally Posted by willowbrook
Totally unethical violation of Therapist/Patient boundaries that are in place for a very good reason - the safety of both parties, and the ability for the therapeutic process to work as effectively as possible. If my Pdoc invited me to his house like that, I'd be having serious words to him (not that he ever would, he his a consumate professional).
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Thanks. I agree.
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Originally Posted by brillskep
It's a little walking the line with being FB friends with his wife and child, but that can be done within certain boundaries. Partying with the T and his family doesn't seem ethical. What's interesting here is that this T seems to have some very strict boundaries around what would be normal and sometimes necessary contact out of sessions (phone or email - at least in case of emergency) but does not mind crossing more personal, unnecessary boundaries. I am surprised. I also feel angry, because I got hurt having a closer relationship with someone close to me T, but the situation was just difficult to avoid. It's not (or should not be) difficult for a T just not to invite a client to his family Christmas party. Then again, this is my experience. If this works for her, great for her!  |
I think he has good boundaries in other areas. I don't think he bans email and calls totally; I'm not sure about that, but I'm sure about this party. It's weird.
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Originally Posted by peaches100
I don't think it's good professional practice. It may work for a very small percentage of clients to have this sort of dual relationship. But I think most clients would be harmed by such an arrangement.
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I agree, Peaches.
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Originally Posted by HealingTimes
That would freak me OUT!
It's one thing to fantasise about seeing her in a more relaxed setting, entering her house and having dinner with her, but it's an altogether different thing for that fantasy to become a reality.
I think he has incredibly bad boundaries!
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Me, too. I'm going to ask her more about that party and if she thinks it is unprofessional to have clients and family together. Yeah, I fantasize about being with my T in her home with her family--but it's only a fantasy! My friend had it for the reality!
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Originally Posted by unlockingsanity
I think the befriending on Facebook is totally out of line. I also think including the children is out of line, unless they are adults perhaps?
However, I don't think that meeting up at a therapists house is necessarily bad. I'd wager a guess that everyone knew ahead of time and could decide for themselves if they wanted to go. Spouses were probably invited so clients didn't have to go alone. If you choose to go, it's not breaking confidentiality. You already know the situation.
A lot of people lack social acquaintances or lack skills to gain friends. If all parties know what is involved, I don't see how that is really a problem. It could be very healing for a lot of people. For those, who wouldn't want to participate, they wouldn't have to go.
A lot of therapists work out of their own home, too, so meeting at their house could be very normal anyway.
The OP mentioned that her friend goes to therapy, not for one specific reason. It could also be that the people this T sees are generally more stable vs. those who are chronically struggling.
I mean, there are a LOT of variants that could be happening here.
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Yes, I'm not talking about a child, but an adult or maybe young adult, I don't know. I wonder about FB too. Seems weird. I'm sure the clients knew ahead of time about the party and who was invited. It still seems like a fantasy to me. Maybe I'm interested because I wonder IF I could have been invited to my T's house and gotten a tour, would it lessen my need to feel I had to drive by it? There's no urge to "find out stuff about a T" if you KNOW. But I would sure feel VERY uncomfortable to be at a party with her friends and relatives. I'd feel like an outsider. Yuk! I guess my friend can handle it.