[Fresia]

One of my providers was inquiring as to why I had not found a support group yet. I have been looking but have not found one that I feel comfortable. I mentioned in the course of researching them and looking, about finding this wonderfully, supportive group online. This led to more questions about it and peaked an interest in PC. Meanwhile, I am still trying to find a local support group as well, however...

I know this has been brought up before, I cannot find the post, but this has brought up a whole host of mixed issues for me knowing the provider may be online now too. Many things I am comfortable with about it, nothing to hide or anything, and for the most part really fine with it, but there is something I cannot put my finger on as to what is unsettling me. I need to settle it, not be so bothered by this but I just cannot pin it down.

I'm wondering how people would feel about this, were your providers to be on, and the possibility they should find out who you are reading what you've posted/interactions; would it change things for you or not and/or how would you feel?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[Can't Stop Crying]

Yes - it would make me feel uncomfortable if T was on here. This is my safe place...I would feel like he was "spying" on me or something. Guess it's a trust issue or something and I guess sometimes I feel like I'm talking about him behind his back.
In terms of the issues, pain, etc - there is nothing on here that I haven't mostly shared with him already, but sometimes I question things that happen in sessions on here and wouldn't want him to see all of that because sometimes I've resolved the issue before the next session.

[turquoisesea]

I also can understand where you're coming from. I value this as a "safe place" and even if the T is a "safe person", I feel like knowing someone from real life could read every single post might stop me from posting certain things. Personally with my T right now I actually wouldn't mind so much. It actually came up in session because I mentioned this site - it's been a big part of my recover - and apparently she knows DocJohn :P But she doesn't know / didn't ask my username.

One thing you can do if you think you've let slip your username or other information that may link this account/this site to you is get a username change, and explain to the admin why you want that change - they would be able to help you probably. Also have you discussed your discomfort with the provider in question? You could ask outright for them not to seek you out online.

[wing]

I'm doubting that therapists have time to peruse sites like this trying to identify their clients. Most of them are so busy that I doubt they want to spend their free time here, unless they are looking for insight into patients in general to enhance their skills. I think a professional values privacy and would feel as if they are doing something unethical by trying to spy.

[Fresia]

Thank you for everyone's responses! I really appreciate it.

I was not thinking of it in a way of spying only that if they happened to figured it out and what that would mean, is what I was entertaining to try to put words on it. They are escaping me at the moment to describe the feelings I'm having about this. I know many professionals use the site too for various reasons but that looking for someone in particular can be time consuming as a needle in a haystack and a highly unlikely scenario. Just thinking it through.

I appreciate the open relationships that I have to date with all my providers and all my relationships; I plan for this to continue. It just struck me funny somehow that I can't explain and why I was curious what others thought about the scenario should the unlikely event occur.

[wing]

I understand what you mean about it being kind of an invasion of privacy. I don't think I'd like my psychiatrist looking on this site at all. It feels more like a peer support site. I like to choose what I tell him, and there are places on the site I wouldn't want him to think I frequent.

My thought is the therapist is there to help me. Being forthright and open helps the therapist help me.

Occasionally I do a Google search for PsychCentral, both with and without my moniker included in the search terms. Sometimes I am surprised at what I find. At other times, very little or nothing turns up.

I am not sure any of the information divulged online is ever completely safe from prying eyes. Passwords, encrypting and layers of security help. Then again, it was not long ago an email data base was reported as compromised.

More recently, we again were told companies like Google and Apple are tracking us. Apple's iPhone now is being referred to as a spy phone. http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-...nclick_check=1

We do not have the capability to control all aspects of securing the information we divulge, unless we decide to stay away from the internet altogether.

[Yoda]

I don't worry at all about my t or pdoc reading my posts. There isn't much here that I haven't already told them. I do have concern though about coworkers or family identifying me and having my privacy violated.

Hi Fresia,

If my docs were on here it would make me nervous because I would almost feel like they were spying on me and not trusting me to tell them what was going on. I wonder if you can talk to DocJohn about being able to block people from seeing your posts. That way if your providers were online you would be able to block them from seeing what you posted provided they were honest with you and let you know they were on here.

I know there is a site called moodtracker.com where you can track your mood. You can also set up your account with a provider so your provider can follow your mood online. That's cool when you know that the feature is there but for them to do it without you knowing isn't cool.

I think it's a whole other thing though if they're just perusing psychcentral checking it out to get a recommendation for other patients. It's a fine line.

Love and Hugs,
Tara

[Fresia]

Hi Tara_922,
Like many have said, most anything I've said here, my docs are already aware. I don't keep much from them. I appreciate the suggestions, especially about the mood tracking.

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However, what has occurred to me now is what has been bothering me is maintaining a sense of privacy for self. Sessions are very brief in the scale of things compared to life and only so many issues can be discussed in that time. They cannot know all of you during this time. It is not a matter of trying to hide from a provider, as they are trying to help and openness is important. It is a matter them seeing so many more sides to us, even though seeing more can add to and to help them with our issues. It concerns me (somewhat and yet not surprised on the other hand with past history) that although I trust my providers for my care and to discuss many very painful and intimate details of my life, but not completely to show them everything. Something to consider.

THANKS everyone! Should it become an issue, I will remember your suggestions for things I can do.