I have a family member who is a T. I am VERY close to her. When my son was first ill she was an invaluable source of information and support. (He is schizophrenic.) Frankly, I don't know what I would have done without her.
In fact, she was the one who suggested I might want to get some support for myself when he was ill because she recognized what was happening to me. (All of my childhood trauma flooded me during the crisis.)

Anyway, fast forward. I have been with T for two years and most of you know we have had some rocky times. I have talked to my family T on many occasions when I was in rupture with T or when I was just confused. She has helped me to understand the process without getting involved directly in my therapy. In fact I have called her sobbing, not knowing what to do or how to go back. I have always talked about her freely in therapy. This week I mentioned how I had called her last weekend when I was having intense suicidal ideation. T said, "you can't have dual therapy relationships." I told him I had been thinking about this issue as well. In fact, I wrote in my journal that all of a sudden I find the relationships are confused. I explained to him that I called her when I really needed to speak to someone right then and there and I couldn't get him on a Sunday morning. He said he understood and knew she was a valuable resource for me. He also said that he didn't want my relationship with her to dilute the work he and I are doing. I'm going to discuss this with him further on Thursday because I have concerns too. But, I love her and need to keep her close to me. She is the only one in my family or inner circle who "gets it." And I love her and need her nearby.

What do you guys think?