[fallenangel337]

I just got back from my appointment with campus T. It went well, I think. She's really nice, and things weren't forced or awkward. Granted, they weren't as comfortable like things are with regular T, but they were nice. Actually, their rooms are very similar, so that helps.

Well...we discussed the group, and she told me that it's full this semester. She said it may be an option for next semester, but this semester is booked. So she said she wants to have us continue with individual CBT with a mix of a little DBT. We're only focusing on the SI with this...nothing else...I'm saving all my other issues for regular T.

So this begs the question, what am I supposed to do now? I was SO set on getting involved in this group, and now that has failed miserably, so now what?

Overall, I'm satisfied with the way things went today.

On a random note, I noticed that her initials are regular T's initials backwards.

fallenangel

I know you had your heart set on the group, but maybe seeing this campus T for the SI will be enough, in addition to seeing your regular T. It's so great that you felt comfortable with campus T and liked the office - definite positive signs!

[sunrise]

I think it sounds fine. It sounds like she has a lot of experience with SI and that will really be helpful. I think the only problem might be if she suggests different approaches to dealing with your SI than your current T advocates, and that confuses you as to what you should be doing. But hopefully that will not happen, and if it does, you can talk about it with the Ts. I would suggest just making sure each T knows about the other one, and perhaps they might like to speak to each other to make sure there are no conflicts (if you allow this, of course).

As to what you should do, since the group is not available this term, the only choices are do individual with the campus T or don't. In either case, can you get on the waiting list for the group for next term? And maybe someone will drop this term and you could take their place.

I think it's really good that you will have some support closer to where you are living now.

[fallenangel337]

I'm pretty sure it's a closed group, so at this point, even if somebody does drop out, I won't be able to fill in.

The thing with regular T is...I don't feel like we've ever really worked on SI...she asks when I do it, she asks what led up to it, how bad they were, etc, but we never really work on a solution. Campus T and I are actively focusing on and working on SI, which is really what I need, so I don't think there will be a conflict of interests. Campus T asked today if it would be helpful for her to contact regular T, and I said not at this point. I don't think I'm comfortable with that yet.

[googley]

((((((FallenAngel)))))
While you may not feel comfortable yet (and I'm not suggesting you do anything you are not comfortable with) but it is really important for you to let both of your T that you are seeing each other. Did your other T know that you were looking into this group? If she did you could bring it up by saying that you didn't get into the group because it was full, but that this other T suggested you work with her specifically on the SI. It will be good for them to know about each other. They may ask you to sign consent for them to talk to each other. That is what I did when I saw my pdoc on campus and my T off campus. That way when things got worse (they did for me, not suggesting they will for you) they are able to talk to each other to make sure they are on the same page about your treatment, (for example who you contact when).

I also know that you are interested in psych and (not that you have to think or worry about it) but there are regulations that the APA has for T working with patients who are seeing other T so that things don't get too complicated.

I wish you luck with your situation. And am sorry you were not able to get into the group. I hope you can get in next semester.

[chaotic13]

Fallenangel I recommend hanging tight and working with the campus T on the SI issue. As you work with her if she thinks the support group is something that will benefit you, I think you'll find that you have a spot in the spring. If not in the current group, then maybe in another group. By working with the campus T she will likely directly you to other campus groups or services that you might not know about yet. For example their might be another student group or organization that is not labeled "a support group" or "SI" group, but might have a membership that operates like one. Be patient and open to what comes your way, support comes in many different forms.

[fallenangel337]

I totally wasn't aware that there was a rule for working someone who is a client of another T. (Bad, psych student ) I was only going to get the referral, then continue with group and my regular T. I wasn't planning on continuing individually with campus T, so now I feel like I'm stuck. I was expecting to get into this group, so I wasn't expecting her to suggest that she wants to continue individual therapy. Aaaaahhh...this is too confusing.