Rapunzel,
I get your point about how alway avoiding mentioning the persons name or constantly considering if what you are saying might reveal who he is can potentially impede the flow and openness of the discussion.

HOWEVER...
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She did not reveal any confidential information

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I disagree... she mentioned a name of one of her other clients... What if her guess was wrong? Then she would have disclosed the name of someone that you did not know she was treating.

I just think .... based on what was written here... this situation could have been handled more professionally. Maybe her T could have said..."Look I understand your reluctance to directly identify your friend." "Quite honestly, I'm pretty sure I already know who you are talking about." "If having me know the two of you are connect is a problem, then you need to see someone else." "Otherwise, Instead of us pretending I haven't made the connection between you two, just forget trying to keep his identity secret and use his name."

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Rapunzel said:
It is unethical for therapists to reveal confidential information about a client without the proper consent or appropriate reason. But there is nothing that goes the other way.

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I think this is a very good point that I frequently struggle with in my own therapy. I am not much of a gossip and I really don't like saying a lot of things about someone else. I frequently feel like I am sharing very personal information about other people with my therapist. I don't feel good about this, even though therapy is supposed to be a place were it is OK to do this. Honestly, when I think back to when my H had his one and only session with my T, it was his unrestricted unloading of very private and detailed information about me that sent me into a total rage. Even though it was therapy, I didn't expect him to do this. I didn't expect my T to encourage and probe him for as much detailed information as she did. I felt REALLY violated and seriously strained the relationship with my H and my T.