[kelseyy.lauren]

So I went to a residential treatment center almost 6 months ago for my eating disorder, depression, anxiety, etc. and I grew close to a few of the staff members. One of the staff members that I had a good "therapeutic" (?) relationship with was an Eating Disorder Specialist. She gave me her email and said I could email her to update her on how I had been. I did email her, and she replied to me.
Another staff member I grew very close to was a BHS, behavioral health specialist. The best way to describe this position is they are the people who watch you all day. They walk you to groups, sessions, dining hall, etc. They monitor meals at the table for people with EDs. They take notes on what you are doing throughout the day. They are there to help you when things are going on (panic attack, flashback, ED or self-injury urges, suicidal, etc)
Anyway, as I said, I grew very close to a BHS. She truly did care about me as a person, not just as a resident. She would always talk to me whenever I needed to and for as long as I needed to. The biggest thing that made an impact on me was that she told me she had recovered from an eating disorder. Until that point, I hadn't met anybody that had ever recovered from an eating disorder. I only knew people who currently had one and people that had tried recovery and relapsed. She was 100% recovered and told me her story and is my biggest inspiration to this day. She gave me hope. I wrote her a note and gave it to my friend to give to her after my discharge and my friend gave it to her
My residential center had a team for the NEDA walk for staff, residents, and alumnae and I decided to go. I saw both of these people there. I had emailed the EDS but I hadn't talked to the BHS since my discharge. The EDS remembered me because I emailed her (probably why) and the BHS remembered me because she had only told 2 or 3 other residents about her ED. So I got to see them and a few of my friends from treatment. At the registration table I saw the BHS last name (since they weren't "major" in our treatment team they didn't tell us their last names)
Turns out my friend with an ED recovery account on Twitter had been following her for a while.
I am wondering peoples opinion on if I write something and give it to my friend to send to her on Twitter. Just like thanking her and stuff like that and updating her. It seems unprofessional but I am just curios because she wasn't an ACTUAL part of my treatment team. Her disclosing to me her personal struggles may seem "unprofessional" but she did it to give me hope, which it did. Other than the ED connections we are also only a few years apart in age. I don't plan on doing it any time soon because of how close the time frame has been since my discharge, I am just wondering for the future.
We live in different states and I am not really seeking a friendship of any kind, just to talk to her every once in a while. And like I said she wasn't any sort of therapist or social worker or counselor or whatever to me, she was just someone "babysitting" me at residential. She is in grad school getting her Masters in Psychology so I don't want to do something that could get her in trouble or prevent her from getting her license.
I am 15 so I am a minor and I don't think they can find out if I was in treatment or not and its not like we would be going out to movies or whatever. I personally do not see the harm in it. I would just like others opinion on it before I do something possibly harmful.
Thank you so much

[iwonderaboutstuff]

I think you're hesitant for good reason on the twitter approach. It would put her in an awkward position. Fact is, she was part of your treatment and it would be unprofessional for her to have direct contact with you.

It sounds like you already expressed your appreciation for the inspiration she gave you in the note you left at discharge, and I expect you also communicated that to her at the walk. I've no doubt that it means a lot to her, truly.

I think it's important for you to recognize where you are in your own recovery, and that your perceptions will change over time. That's not to say her inspiration will be any less potent in the years to come; rather the connection you feel will shift.

[Thunder Bow]

I see no trouble being in touch on the internet. It was good she shared to much with you. She is a good healer. I say stay in touch with her. A Healer is some times most effective when they share their own stories.

I am in agreement with IWonderAboutStuff. A professional relationship should stay as just that. In fact, they have a responsibility to do so.

My concern is any disappointment you may feel should your intended contact not go as you had hoped.

It is perfectly normal to develop friendly feelings for those in a position of caring for us. After all, getting close enough to garner trust and care is their job. So too is it to be approachable and kind. However for them to have a relationship (friendly or otherwise) outside of the hospital may not be appropriate and could be disasterous to their professional career.

I have on occasion run across some of my caregivers in public. We have merely exchanged pleasantries and moved on.

Now, standards of professional conduct may be different where you are but most persons in the healthcare field adhere to these.

Sorry I do not have the answer you seek. I am mostly concerned about any disappointment you ay feel should your attempts to make contact go awry

[kelseyy.lauren]

Thank you all for your feedback, I appreciate it. I understand it is unprofessional. She is very close with her cousin and my best friends from treatment lives a couple of blocks down from her cousin apparently. I'm going to visit my friend in a few months and I am hoping to run into her sometimes when I am there and just say hello.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk