[reader1587]

I was just wondering what others thoughts were on seeing more than one therapist at a time. I'm asking because I may be spending time overseas next year, and I'm thinking about seeing two different people simultaneously. One is American whom I've worked with a little bit in the past, and the other is an Englishwoman I had an introductory "chat" with last time I was there.

I feel (I'm tricultural) that different people can address different parts of my experience, based on their background and psychology, that the others might not be able to, or at least not nearly as effectively.

I know Ts don't like this but I can't help suspecting that it's partially because it's a hangover from Freudianism (when the transference was of primary importance, which I don't think is how most therapists work these days) and then simply the fact that they don't like sharing clients (and clients' revenues).

Am I being too suspicious/skeptical? One thing that I think argues in my favor is that presumably no therapist would advise against group therapy for someone also in individual, and this is another "therapeutic influence", so there's no reason why it wouldn't be ok to see two individual Ts at the same time.

A big part of asking is also that I want to do it anyway, but I don't want to feel like I have to hide something from either one (I struggle with issues of compulsive confessing.)

[emilyjeanne]

What does your primary T think? I would look at it like a substitute T as a supplement to your therapy.

In fact, I think it is great that your are being proactive and trying to take care of yourself.

I see no problem with it. Along with the analogy you gave about group T. Some people see more than 1 T because they specialize in a different area. For instance a regular T might send a client to an EMDR Specialist to supplement the therapy.

Just my thoughts.

[reader1587]

Originally Posted by emilyjeanne

What does your primary T think? I would look at it like a substitute T as a supplement to your therapy.

In fact, I think it is great that your are being proactive and trying to take care of yourself.

I see no problem with it. Along with the analogy you gave about group T. Some people see more than 1 T because they specialize in a different area. For instance a regular T might send a client to an EMDR Specialist to supplement the therapy.

Just my thoughts.

Thanks.

I actually don't have a regular T right now, for some reason I never feel really comfortable with therapists in the U.S. (It's complicated.)

[emilyjeanne]

Originally Posted by reader1587

Thanks.

I actually don't have a regular T right now, for some reason I never feel really comfortable with therapists in the U.S. (It's complicated.)

Well, I wish you luck in your search. Just remember, shop for T's like you would shop for shoes. You will know when you find the right one.

[sunrise]

reader, I think as long as the two therapists have defined areas to work on, it should be fine. If they are both working on exactly the same things with you as each other, then it could get confusing and actually be counterproductive. At the same time I was seeing my regular therapist, I also began seeing a family therapist for sessions with my daughter. I did tentatively ask my individual therapist (who is also a family therapist) to see us, but he said he thought it best we saw someone else, and he provided me with a great referral. (He had already seen me and my former husband in couples therapy and felt he was perhaps serving too many roles for me, plus he did not have a strong expertise in working with adolescents, which is something I felt was important.) So my daughter and I went to this other family therapist and it worked out really well. I also saw this T a couple of times on my own. I had no problem managing these different therapists' contributions. We were working on different issues. I did sometimes talk to my own T about things going on with my daughter or with the family therapy, and it was helpful to discuss this with him. Both therapists knew about the other one's role. My T also suggested at one point that I could go to a different therapist for specific help with ADHD as he didn't have that expertise, so I don't think he has any problem with clients seeing more than one practitioner if they need to. (I did not go to the ADHD therapist.) Reader, I think as long as your two Ts work on different things with you and they both know about each other, it should be fine. I agree--you wouldn't want to have to hide anything from your Ts. Good luck!

[splitimage]

I don't see a problem. I see my regular main T and have been seeing her for over a decade now. She's a trauma specialist so we mainly work on trauma and interpersonal stuff.

I see my addictions Dr. for individual counselling, and it's all about managing my addiction, difficulties in recovery, and dealing with the feelings about how I messed up my life with drinking.

I see my pdoc primarily for meds management but he also does a little bit of counselling. He's very practical and coping focussed on what skills I can use to ensure my depression stays in remission.

I also have group therapy once a week for addictions.

I sometimes think I have too many therapists in my life, but so far it's working well for me.

--splitimage

[Omers]

I would also say that some would depend on each of the T's theoretical orientations. some thories play nice together, some can parallel play and others are incompatible.

I use a "tratment team" approach with a T, a T who does body work and a Pdoc. I am the onlt overlap between all three as all are in private practice. While to my knowledge they have not spoken to eachother they all have signed releases so that they could... Just to avoid confusion and/or unintentional triangulation.

[ECHOES]

For me, I think it would end up being confusing at times, trying to remember what was discussed with whom.

Yet there have been times I've thought it would be beneficial to see my former T who does hypnotherapy at the same time as seeing my analyst. Usually though, that is when I'm looking for quick relief. I really don't think it would work at all, but the former therapist offered, so she was open to the idea.

[reader1587]

Originally Posted by Omers

I would also say that some would depend on each of the T's theoretical orientations. some thories play nice together, some can parallel play and others are incompatible.

I use a "tratment team" approach with a T, a T who does body work and a Pdoc. I am the onlt overlap between all three as all are in private practice. While to my knowledge they have not spoken to eachother they all have signed releases so that they could... Just to avoid confusion and/or unintentional triangulation.

That's interesting what kind of bodyworker do you see?

I've thought about doing something similar, either a Trauma Touch Therapist, or anyone who offers treatments like that. How did you find him/her if I may ask?