[bamapsych]

This week at my t appointment my T and I were talking about some wrong decisions I've made these past few weeks. I told her my morals/behavior are slipping because my spirituality is too. For me, spirituality and behavior go hand in hand together. I told her that I'm having a hard time finding a new church since I moved to a new town 3 months ago and my relationship with God is suffering and unstable. T and I are the same denomination which works out really well in therapy. She invited me to visit her church and of course call that my home church if I like it. I freaked out a little and told her it might be weird . She said it's not weird because she has had 3-4 others clients visit her church and 1 of them still attend on a regular basis. What do you think about this? Should I visit or not?

My pastor, who is a licensed therapist, was also my therapist some years back. I honestly didn't have a problem with it. I heard his sermons. I went to his Sunday school classes, I even helped him co-teach an evening recovery group. I was also in a therapy group that he ran, so I ran into other members of the group who I knew at church.

You have to know how much that would bother you or not. It doesn't have to be a problem if you can separate your T in session from your T in church and not expect your T to therapize you (for lack of a better word) on their church time. If you think you can separate the two, finding a great church could really be a healing and nurturing part of your life, so you really just need to know yourself on this one.

[sconnie892]

Mt t is also the same denomination as me and like you I've found it very helpful in sessions. However, we go to different churches.

Only you can decide if you are comfortable seeing t at church. For me I appreciate the separation.

[bamapsych]

Originally Posted by farmergirl

My pastor, who is a licensed therapist, was also my therapist some years back. I honestly didn't have a problem with it. I heard his sermons. I went to his Sunday school classes, I even helped him co-teach an evening recovery group. I was also in a therapy group that he ran, so I ran into other members of the group who I knew at church.

You have to know how much that would bother you or not. It doesn't have to be a problem if you can separate your T in session from your T in church and not expect your T to therapize you (for lack of a better word) on their church time. If you think you can separate the two, finding a great church could really be a healing and nurturing part of your life, so you really just need to know yourself on this one.

It's just awkward for her to know all of my downfalls and mistakes and then have to sit in church and worship together. I can separate therapy T from church T without a problem. I worry that I'll be jealous of her RL friends since I won't be able to know her in RL too. I think it would be hard to see her being huggy/friendly and know that I can't. It's like a huge temptation. Sort of like teasing me or something even though that's not her intention. It's like taking a kid to Toys R Us at Christmas but telling them that they can't have anything. Maybe I wouldn't have that reaction, but it's what I fear. I just don't want to cause any issues because we have a stable T relationship.

[bamapsych]

Originally Posted by sconnie892

Mt t is also the same denomination as me and like you I've found it very helpful in sessions. However, we go to different churches.

Only you can decide if you are comfortable seeing t at church. For me I appreciate the separation.

I looked for a Christian counselor. Denomination wasn't really an issue. I saw an intern for 7-8 sessions who was different denomination than me, but neither of us cared about it. In first session with my T, I was talking about making new friends and listed spiritual as the type of friends to seek for. She suggested small groups and asked my denomination. I told her and she said, "oh my gosh me too!" I was relieved. I feel open to talk about beliefs, traditions, etc without being judged by her since she shares the same. I don't have to worry about saying something that's offensive to her religious beliefs.

She wouldn't have invited you if it were a problem for her. But if it seems tempting to you , I would not go. Maybe go but to a different service them T?

[bamapsych]

The church only has one service Sunday morning and one service Sunday evening. I think she goes to both, and I'd like to attand both also.

Then it appears as the ball is in your court. Maybe you could attempt it and not focus on your T but on the worship. Don't go out of your way to avoid or acknowledge T. If you find it too unsettling then the church search shall continue.

[Bill3]

I worry that I'll be jealous of her RL friends since I won't be able to know her in RL too. I think it would be hard to see her being huggy/friendly and know that I can't. It's like a huge temptation. Sort of like teasing me or something even though that's not her intention. It's like taking a kid to Toys R Us at Christmas but telling them that they can't have anything. Maybe I wouldn't have that reaction, but it's what I fear. I just don't want to cause any issues because we have a stable T relationship.

This passage really makes it sound like you think that going to her church is not a good idea.

[bamapsych]

My boyfriend and I went to T's church today. We were about 5 min late amd the service had already started so I didnt encounter T. Them when it was over we walked out and I never saw her. Im pretty sure I heard her laugh when the pastor cracked a joke because she has a distinct voice. Im going to talk about the experience when I have my session thursday evening.