[Raging Quiet]

Hi,

I'm wondering if it is proper practice to refer the client to another therapist (especially in the UK)?

When I've left T in the past, even in a visibly poor state, my T has never referred or even offered that. I couldn't imagine her caring who I saw after I left.

I'm my counselling skills training; we leaned that if a counsellor wasn't making progress, or had personal issues, then you would refer. That's it. I know in my relationship with my T, this isn't the case. I've told T that I need to speak to someone who understands fertility issues, but I expect she'd leave that up to me (which is fine)

Has anyone else been referred in private practice?

[wotchermuggle]

Yes. My outgoing therapist referred me to my current therapist. I didn't ask, he offered.

Hi Rectopathic,
I am just across the water in Ireland and here they are supposed to refer you too but my first t who was also in private practice didn't refer me after she teminated and left me in a very bad way. I am sorry your t is not working out for you lately

[WikidPissah]

No...I generally leave before they have a chance to.

[HealingTimes]

I have not had the experience of being referred, but i know that my T does it as she has mentioned it before.

I would say it's up to you as the client to say to the T "I don't feel like you can help me in the way that i need, as you don't deal with fertility issues (for example). Do you have the details of another T that you think can help me?".

[sunrise]

In the U.S., if they decide not to work with you anymore, I think they have an ethical obligation (by the standards of practice) to give you a referral. I think if it is the client who is quitting therapy, the same obligation does not apply, but if the client asks, the therapist may be able to supply names.

A few years ago I told my T that I wanted to do family therapy with my daughter. T told me he could not provide that (even though he is a family counselor), and he helped me find someone who could. He gave me the names of several people he knew, helped me research them online, etc. My daughter and I ended up going to one of his referrals and it worked out well.

[critterlady]

When my previous therapist moved out of state, he left me with a list of therapists to check out. He even ensured that they participated in my insurance plan and that they were accepting new clients.

[murray]

My old T, who I saw many years ago, referred me to my current T when she was unable to take me on as a client again. (so glad btw, as he's a much better T for me)
My current T gave me a referral for a marriage T when I needed one.

As far as a T that specializes in infertility issues, I know that the medical practice that I worked with on the infertility treatments had a list of several T that specialize in this area. So you may want to check with your doctors to see if they have any recommendations.

[Raging Quiet]

Thanks everyone; I think part of me didn't ask the last few times I left as I didn't want to hurt T's feelings x