[Yogix]

I Know lots of threads have been posted about this, but I also know there are some new members here and felt like re-starting this thread.

How many T's let their clients text them? How often? and moreso, how did you start texting them? Do they respond?

lots of questions. This is just always a very interesting topic to me.

[MusicLover79]

My T lets me text him. I usually only do it if I have a question or if Im in an emergency like if Im suicidal. He responds if I have a question, he calls me if Im suicidal

[BlessedRhiannon]

I text my T, but it's usually only for very brief updates or for scheduling. I started texting her because she asked me to send her a quick text update when I was struggling with something. Since then, she's texted me a few times for schedule changes or in response to phone messages I've left her. If I call and leave a message and ask if she can call me back, she'll usually text me and ask if I'm free to talk at whatever time. If I initiate the text to T (instead of her texting me about scheduling something), then its usually just a brief update on how I'm feeling, or a request for her to contact me. I don't like using it for much else. I'd prefer to either email or call - text feels too informal and unreliable to me.

[ready2makenice]

My T lets me text her (sometimes I wish she didn't)

I used to text her all the time (like every other day)now only when I'm in crisis mode,need coping skills revised or to cancel/schedule a different appointment

I think we've been texting from the get go (has pretty lose boundaries) (also wish it was a bit tighter,so I've taken it upon myself to make them tighter)

She does respond,about 95% of the time,but when in crisis she'll call,or if I ask her to call me for just 5 mins,she will when I'm having a rough time managing.

Boy do I sound needy....rereading this

I've learned in the last few months,that I have let go of our texting habits,and finally being "a big girl!!"

T and i text each other, just whenever we need to

[likelife]

Yes, but just for scheduling. My pdoc does too, for scheduling. They both texted me first, which surprised me.

[Jdog123]

I text with T for several different reasons, primarily: to let her know about something going on, scheduling changes, and to ask her to call me. When it's the first, she doesn't always respond, but sometimes does. In terms of how often... probably happens about 5 times/week. And how did it start--she prefers me to text and ask her to call her back. Also, during the workday it's easier to tell her something via text instead of email since she checks her phone very often and less so with her email.

[AnnaBegins]

My T and I used to text back and forth all the time...he sent me a text after three sessions so I would have his number and encouraged me to text him if I was feeling bad so he could try to help. I actually liked it - I used to save his texts so I could re-read them when I was really struggling.

[Virginia1991]

Yes I text/email my T when needed. She has encouraged it. It has been very helpful to me and it helps me feel connected to her. This is the first time in my life that I have lasted past a few sessions and I really believe that her "allowing" contact between sessions has played an important role for me.

yes all the time

[Elektra_]

she wont even reply to my emails lol but i had one that actually cared about me i could text but if i didnt shut up she would cut the convo..

[skysblue]

Proud to say I 'taught' my T about texting. When I was having a temper tantrum period once, I told her I'd never leave her voicemails again (I would leave messages when emotions were 'alive' in me and then we could discuss them in session) and I asked her if I could text. She'd never done it before but did agree.

It's now my preferred method of arranging appointments and also to let her know that big stuff is going on with me. What's cool about texting is that I feel it's better 'short and sweet' and she also replies with support that is conveyed in a short message.

I would be doomed if she agreed to email because I might not be able to resist going on and on and on and on and on...

Occasionally I will still leave voice messages but it's not often.

[ShrinkPatient]

My T allows text messaging but at one point, we learned that communicating via text was confusing and it often left me disappointed. Nowadays, I email her journal entries and my concerns between our bi-weekly sessions. Emailing has been much better for me and far less confusing. Now we only use texting for logistical reasons. Such as, he I sent you an email or yes, I can switch appointment to 4 o'clock. Glad I can help.
I hope you figure out what works best for you...
Best of luck to you....

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[neutrino]

My therapist has never really talked about the boundaries when it comes to texting etc. I only use it for the purpose of scheduling though (and I try to avoid that as much as possible).

[ScrewedUpMe]

I have T's mobile number but can't remember why or when she gave it to me now...we don't text often, mainly because I don't want to intrude on her personal life too much. I email as often as I need to and she responds in her own time. Occasionally she will text and tell me to be careful driving to see her, or if I have had a particularly bad session, she will ask me to text her when I get home so she knows I'm safe.

[IndestructibleGirl]

Yes. Lots. Sometimes every day for a stretch if I'm feeling shaky. I love texting and emailing because I like being able to make contact in a way where she can read and respond whenever suits her, so it feels like a way of being able to say what I want when I want without being too intrusive. I don't call much, because I feel like I'm demanding interaction right that second. When I call I normally prefer to arrange a time via text first.

I see how it might have the potential to be confusing and won't suit everyone, but when it works texting is great

[granite1]

nope never she is very strict about her boundaries and i don't have her mobile # she wont even let me e-mail at all

[Mike_J]

My therapist doesn't give out her cell number or even email address, so no texts or emails. I'm glad, though I would like to email her sometimes it would be nice, but wondering if it was a good idea to contact her would stress me out.

[GeorgiaGirl413]

I have texted my T, but not often. Usually if I am in crisis and feel like I need to talk, I will text her first and ask her to call me. That way I am sure not to catch her off guard or in a place where she can't talk.

[mandazzle]

My T would never give me her cell number, even if both of our lives depended on it. I don't think she is too fond of me anymore.

[Daeva]

No. Never ever. I don' have her number, don't have her email. All I have is her office phone which she only checks when she's in office, and will only call back if it's for scheduling. Anything else like if I'm feeling crappy/suicidal/anything that isn't strictly scheduling she won't call back, won't respond at all until next session.

[HealingTimes]

My T had always made it clear that i can text as and when i need to.
I kind of set my own rules about it:

-never before 10am
-never after 5pm unless really urgent
-NEVER at weeeknds, no matter what
-try and work through whatever is bothering me first

So far, so good.

I don't text my T if I was in a crisis I have my CPN to call who would probably come out to see me right away or if she isn't available then someone from her team will call.

[Aloneandafraid]

I am texting a lot at the moment as things are difficult. She doesn't seem to mind although she said she wouldn't reply. Just see you on xxx. I felt really disappointed last week when I kept getting this reply but I think I understand now that she won't go into things by text. However, I still feel it is really valid for me to tell her how bad things are when they happen otherwise by the time I see her I minimise it or just can't get the words out. But I do worry I am going to annoy her and overstep her boundaries. Thanks for this thread, really good.

I think T first texted me that she was running late one day, maybe a schedule change or two. Then I started texting her ALL the time. It was really really bad. I emailed her once, and she encouraged me to continue because I often have trouble speaking during sessions, so then I was emailed ALL the time also. Emailing/texting has become a compulsion. I realize when I am doing it too often, but it's hard to stop. It's one of my main goals right now.

I stopped texting T except when she initiates for scheduling stuff, when she told me she was running low on her monthly texting plan. Awkward. I feel bad taking up so much of her time anyway, but the additional thought I was causing her to limit all texts was enough to get me to stop.

T and I talk about the email issue a lot. I've been getting A LOT better, and it's really helpful when T acknowledges that I've been doing well on that account. Right now, if I email T once per week, she'll send a quick reply. If I write again, she typically won't answer. Even though I know this, it's hard not to send more than 1.

I guess constant contact with T is kind of a huge issue for me at the moment. I think once I start having some other people in my life, it will (hopefully) get a bit easier.