[healed84]

If my husband and I wanted to marriage counsling my T probably can't do it b/c he is my individual T? anybody know?

Think it depends on the T. My T told me I can do marriage counseling with her and still have her be my individual. But I think it all depends on the therapist. For me, I would want someone totally different. But that's just me.

It depends on the therapist. There are no hard fast rules about this. My therapist does individual therapy with me, my husband, and my son, and on occasion he has also done marriage therapy with my husband and I. He does a great deal of family therapy, so he is quite comfortable working with members of the same family, and my husband and I have no problem with how it works for our family. We actually have really benefitted from his knowledge of the family dynamics that work between us.

Some therapists won't do it; they consider it a conflict of interests. I suspect they don't have the training in family systems and family therapy. If they are not comfortable with it, it probably isn't going to work for them anyway.

You need to consider that in a marriage therapy role, you T will not be siding with you; he will be working working with both of you and your relationship as it works as a dynamic. Is it going to bother you if your T spends time focusing on your husband in a session, or if you feel he supports you husband in a particular situation? If so, then a separate therapist might be a better idea.

[BlessedRhiannon]

I think it would depend on both the T and your own preferences. Personally, I wouldn't want to "share" my T, and I'd worry that it would make my therapy space feel less safe for me. But, if your T is willing, and you feel comfortable with it, they could probably do marriage counselling as well. Just depends on if that's something they do or not.

[Chopin99]

My T said she'd do marriage therapy with my H if I wanted to, and she saw H once (with me) for an issue and didn't even charge me. I think it depends on the T.

If I needed marriage counseling, I wouldn't want my T to do it. I would find another. As long as your T will do it and that's what you want, then I don't see why you shouldn't.

[Wren_]

As others have said I really think it depends on the T; I think that could be difficult in a number of ways though for both you and your husband so worth talking through with your T first

[Perna]

Not all therapists do marriage counseling; it would depend on her interests and training, etc. Ask her?

[healed84]

Thanks all.. I know that he does do marriage counseling and I know that there are several others in the practice who do as well. It is something I am pondering. On one hand, I could see how it may effect my relationship with T negativley, I might get a little possesive of him. It might be hard having his focus being on my T and not me. On the other hand, I am not sure I could open up to another person in that way. T already knows all of my issues and I would have to rehash things.. Anyways, it is something I am thinking about asking T next time I see him.

[Victoria'smom]

I have my own T, DH has his own T, and son has his own T. This is because of our centers policies, they all share note. This doesn't mean we don't talk to the T's about over lapping issues but so we all feel comfortable we have different ones. It's fairly rare that I don't go in with DH to his appointments. He usually goes into mine for 15 min. to help me give T the rundown of in between sessions but she's more comfortable with him leaving after. If you really like your T I would ask her for a recommendation to a marriage T.