Weird therapist question

So it looks like one of those times I need to check-in and have a therapy stint. The thing is I've had some crazy to bad experiences with therapists and don't want to go through an annoying and expensive shopping process.

I had the crazy idea of looking up my childhood therapist who I saw from six to sixteen. She is still practicing but is no longer listed as a child therapist and I want to see her anyway, there is a chance she still has a bunch of my old artwork I would love to have.

Is it screwed up to consider her for the therapy I need now? It appeals to me because I already know and trust her. The other part of her appeal is problematic, I know she cares about me. I know that therapists maintain a professional distance but a woman like her does not treat a child for ten years without forming an attachment. I want to see her but I worry about telling her certain things..

Well Eloise, unfortunatel, therapy often involves shopping around. I think if you liked this old T and if you feel she helped you and she also treats adults, then why not go see her. That would be a great place to start since you know you already had a good connection with her. It very well may be different now that you're a bit older but it also may not be. Maybe even just call her and ask if she feels like you two could work well together at this point. Sometimes a change of scenery (i.e. a different) would be better but I think talking to your old T is a wonderful place to start. If she feels it isnt going to be a right fit then maybe she has someone she can recommend. It's a win-win situation for you either way it works out really. Good luck with this and I hope you're able to find the right T!!

I'm going to be seeing a new T next month...I'm nervous too. Good luck!!

I spoke to my GP about a p-doc that he could recommend. I got on really well with my GP, but felt I needed a specialist. Through a friend I had been to see a p-doc for the first time a few months before, but felt we weren't on the same page.

Well, the first p-doc the GP suggested had a 2 month waiting-period. IF things started like that, I wasn't interested in hanging around.
This p-doc's secretary gave me the number of 2 other p-doc's, after I told her it was urgent.

I ran both p-doc's past my GP, who then recommended one. I went to see her and have not been "happier" - in the sense that I feel she cares, knows her stuff and listens to me and is available.

I may be lucky that after only my second p-doc I feel I've reached one I'm happy with. I think we need to bear in mind that we do have very close relationships with both p-doc's and T's; we tell them a lot of intimate stuff - you would not marry the first person you ever meet, so why feel you need to stick with the first p-doc/therapist you visit?

I think it may be beneficially and necessary to shop around.

Eloise - I would be slightly cautious if you say you are worried about telling her certain things. She should be professional and non-judgemental. You also cannot expect therapy to be effective if you need to whith-hold information. I'd really consider this carefully - yoou need to have a therapist you are comfortable around

The thing is I usually want my prescribing physician to be my therapist. My NP in Seattle sort of was after I convinced her my therapist was weird and neurotic. Wow, I'm just now realizing the last time I saw a therapist was four years ago and I don't think it counts as therapy. In our last session she was fixated on an approaching fire drill, she would interrupt me every five to ten minutes to tell me how much closer we were getting to the fire drill. I finally was like "I think this is bothering you more than it's bothering me..."

My old therapist isn't the personality type I usually look for in a care provider (sharp, no-nonsense and confrontational). I'm not worried about her being judgemental (shocked maybe) I guess I'm worrying about her feelings and that's not good.

I don't think one appointment is a bad idea. I'm pretty sure she still has boxes of my art work in her basement anyway.