[content30]

Have any of you purposely wandered onto your T's turf?

About a year ago, my T recommended a book to me, after reading an exerct from it aloud to me. I read it and loved it! Well, the author is coming to speak about it in my city. I found this out from a friend. The thing is, the author is going to a venue that my T frequents; I know this because she told me that she goes to this place. In my last session, I told T that I heard the author is coming, and she knew and was very excited and said that I should go hear the author speak. I told her that I wanted to but did not want to infringe on her circle. She said, "Content, I have no worries about you attending and going to [x place] whatsoever." She was very sincere and really encouraged me to go.

So, what would you guys do? Have any of you gone to an event you knew that your T was going to attend?

On a related note: I have seen my T in public two times, and it did not bother me at all. I rather enjoyed it....

[1stepatatime]

Originally Posted by content30

Have any of you purposely wandered onto your T's turf?

About a year ago, my T recommended a book to me, after reading an exerct from it aloud to me. I read it and loved it! Well, the author is coming to speak about it in my city. I found this out from a friend. The thing is, the author is going to a venue that my T frequents; I know this because she told me that she goes to this place. In my last session, I told T that I heard the author is coming, and she knew and was very excited and said that I should go hear the author speak. I told her that I wanted to but did not want to infringe on her circle. She said, "Content, I have no worries about you attending and going to [x place] whatsoever." She was very sincere and really encouraged me to go.

So, what would you guys do? Have any of you gone to an event you knew that your T was going to attend?

On a related note: I have seen my T in public two times, and it did not bother me at all. I rather enjoyed it....

Hi, Content
If your T gives you her blessing then why not go? It seems that you are comfortable in her presence outside of therapy and she seems down with it...so if it were me I would go

[rainbow8]

I used to wander onto my former T's turf. At first, she told me something like "that's my territory". She meant that if I go there, I'll see her. But it was a place I wanted to go to be with other people, not particularly her. Our circles just happened to cross that way. So, I saw her there, but eventually it became "my turf" too. It was awkward but we managed, and I liked seeing her "out of the office". I used to run into her a lot. Funny, now that she's not my T anymore, I don't run into her so much even and when I do, it's fine.

[unaluna]

I warned my t ahead of time that I and my girlfriends would be invading "his" coffee shop one morning because the local radio station was doing a live show. He said he wasn't even aware of it. He could have been lying, or he could have had an early appointment, or he could have slept in, or the owner could have told him he'd be busy, or he could have left before we got there! I didn't give it much thought...

[stopdog]

If I wanted to hear the speaker, I would go. I don't consider anything other than their office and their home as belonging to a therapist. As long as one is not going just to run into the therapist, I don't see a problem with it. Or if it will wig you out (not the therapist but the client)- then I would not do it.
The first therapist I saw used to go to concerts (women's music, comediennes - small venue specialized topics) that I attended. To keep with the language -it was my turf (lesbian) and not hers (straight). It was not a problem although we did see each other. I stayed away from her.
The therapist I see now, I don't think would recognize me or me her out of context.

Content, she seems to be genuinely happy for you to go so I think you should go. You are interested in the speaker too so you of course have every right to go.
Mine and ts path cross occasionally, we go some plays or concerts or charity events.
I think most ts are a little voyeuristic because they want to know everything about their clients. My t even gave me phone numbers for hotels she has stayed in as I will be away next weekend, she wants to know everything I do.

[HealingTimes]

Content, i would trust your T and take her words at face value. She has said she doesnt mind, so i would go and see the speaker if i were you.

I live quite close to my T (within 20 mins drive) and her town is my nearest town, so i often see her out and about. It doesn't bother me. I know she will only acknowledge me if i acknowledge her first, that is what we decided to start with.

[tinyrabbit]

Content, are you sure your T is actually planning to attend the event? From what you've said, it's not clear if she is?

I have no idea where my T hangs out! I live in a village halfway between a town and a city. The city is where I socialise. My T works in the town and lives somewhere around there I guess. I don't think we'd go to the same places but I have never seen him 'in the wild'. My husband and I go grocery shopping in the town though and I always hope to see my T. I think I want him to see me acting like an adult. He says he will only acknowledge me if I acknowledge him first as it's up to me, I think this is a client privacy thing.

[content30]

Originally Posted by tinyrabbit

Content, are you sure your T is actually planning to attend the event? From what you've said, it's not clear if she is?

I have no idea where my T hangs out! I live in a village halfway between a town and a city. The city is where I socialise. My T works in the town and lives somewhere around there I guess. I don't think we'd go to the same places but I have never seen him 'in the wild'. My husband and I go grocery shopping in the town though and I always hope to see my T. I think I want him to see me acting like an adult. He says he will only acknowledge me if I acknowledge him first as it's up to me, I think this is a client privacy thing.

Yes, I am sure that she is planning to attend, as she said that she was very excited to hear this author. She does have two, young children. So, something could always come up with them...

[content30]

Thank you all for your input. At this point, I am planning to attend. Like many of you said, my T does not acknowledge clients in public, unless they acknowledge her first. In this situation, I'm guessing that we will both see the other there and possibly smile at each other, if we catch each others' eyes. I wouldn't speak to her unless we walked in the door at the same time or something like that.

[anilam]

This I wouldn't consider as a T's turf.
It's a public event your T may/may not attend. If she does, she'll be a part of the anonymous crowd. You two may not even see/talk to each other. I would probably go if I really wanted to see/hear this author talk.
And I am the one who tries to stay away from my T as much as possible

[wotchermuggle]

Originally Posted by monalisasmile

My t even gave me phone numbers for hotels she has stayed in as I will be away next weekend, she wants to know everything I do.

That.....is really creepy.

[~EnlightenMe~]

Originally Posted by content30

Thank you all for your input. At this point, I am planning to attend. Like many of you said, my T does not acknowledge clients in public, unless they acknowledge her first. In this situation, I'm guessing that we will both see the other there and possibly smile at each other, if we catch each others' eyes. I wouldn't speak to her unless we walked in the door at the same time or something like that.

I think you should go if you feel comfortable.

[content30]

Thank you all for your input. I decided to go. I did see T and her family--first time I've seen her family. I saw her in the lobby area first without her family, and we smiled and waved at each other. I'm very glad that I went, as the author's speech was fantastic, and she read excerpts from her book! Mission wander onto T's turf = success!

[stopdog]

I am glad it went well.

[bamapsych]

My T invited me to visit her church. I was new to town, and we just happened to be the same denomination. I had visited many other churches and she knew this. I went like 3 times. I never saw her at all. The session after the first time I went she said that she saw me there at church. The other times I visited, I looked for her and told her this at our sessions but she must have not been there those days.