[Lauliza]

So I have a project due in my counseling theory class where I need to write up a script between a "therapist and client". Of course my partner dropped out of the class so now I have to do the work alone although a classmate is nice enough to help me read the script during the presentation.

I was telling my psychiatrist about this project today. Its about a client dealing with existential angst...a feeling of meaninglessness in their life. He said it sounded really interesting and smiled and said "you should just come in here and do the script and tape it". I hadn't thought of it but said that yeah, that was a great idea.

After I left, I decided "why not?" and called his office to schedule an appointment for this purpose. I asked the receptionist to explain to him that its for my class project that I mentioned earlier, just to be sure it's ok. I have a friend who is a t and would ask her but she is always too busy to meet. At least this way its an appointment.

My question is was this inappropriatr of me to ask this of him? He may have been kidding and not actually offering to do it. The receptionist said she'd relay the message to him and call me back if he has an issue. I'm afraid he'll forget/ have second thoughts. I asked him once to write me a letter for ADD testing accommodations for the GRE (grad school admission) test and initially he said yes, if I came in for an appointment. But when I went to my appointment and asked agian, he said he didn't feel comfortable doing it.

Would anyone have asked their t to help them this way? I assume he'll role play as the t, so its not going to be extra work for him.

[HazelGirl]

I think that's blurring boundaries too much. He's your Pdoc, not a school classmate...

[Lauliza]

Ugh that's what I thought after the fact. Does it sound better if I come up with something in my own life that's applicable to this (wouldn't be too hard) and then discuss it in session and go from there? It would be using my own therapy session but I wouldnt tell the class that...

[HazelGirl]

Do you REALLY want your whole class to hear your therapy session?

[Lauliza]

For my first counseling class we had "therapy" sessions with other students that we taped and then played for the class. The subject matter was always genuine, so there was a lot of disclosure.

"Feelings of meaninglessness" isnt an intense subject matter, at least not how it relates to me. And it could have been made up by me - they wouldnt know it was real. So, yes I'd be ok with it.

[LesFleursDuMal]

I think that's blurring boundaries too much. He's your Pdoc, not a school classmate...

I agree with this. It could be really confusing, and not very good for your therapy...

I have had little fantasies about former T and current T helping me with my homework or doing research together. I'd do it in a heartbeat!

(afterthought: well maybe not if I had to play it for the whole class)

Originally Posted by Lauliza

My question is was this inappropriatr of me to ask this of him? He may have been kidding and not actually offering to do it.

Even if he was kidding, I don't think it was inappropriate to ask. He can simply say no if he doesn't want to do it.

[Lauliza]

That's what I thought. He is very into existentialism and I told how I thought cbt would be the best approach to which he agreed. He said it sounded like fun, so I guess I didnt feel like it was that crazy to ask. The secretary said if he says no we can just cancel the appointment (so long as he doesn't forget).

I can see how some people might think it might blur boundaries.But how do you think it could be confusing or harmful to tharapy?

[LesFleursDuMal]

Well maybe not exactly confusing. I don't think I could do it with my T for instance, because I wouldn't want my therapy sessions to have anything to do with class. But that's just me, and actually if you feel like doing it, then why not ?

[Lauliza]

Oh I don't have a problem with it at all. I just wondered what people might guess the feeling would be on the part of the t, that's all. Sometimes I think things are no big deal, and others see them as either odd or just something that isn't done...

[willowbrook]

I'd look at it as a therapeutic exercise, you know maybe after you've done it you can spend time talking about it and relate it back to your own experiences. I know my Pdoc would probably be happy to do something like that for me. It's not like your asking him to write the entire essay for you, and go to class in your place.

[Lauliza]

Originally Posted by willowbrook

I'd look at it as a therapeutic exercise, you know maybe after you've done it you can spend time talking about it and relate it back to your own experiences. I know my Pdoc would probably be happy to do something like that for me. It's not like your asking him to write the entire essay for you, and go to class in your place.

Yes that's how I was thinking. Plus its a session so he's still getting his co-pay. I'm definitely not asking for this on his own time or pro bono.

[HazelGirl]

I guess for me, the fact that the class has to see it would be the biggest factor in my mind. My other concern is that your therapy could become about something like academics, or if the taping doesn't go well, there could be problems in your relationship. Plus, there's confidentiality issues to consider.

[Lauliza]

I see your point. Its a little different in these courses as we are all training to be ts. Almost every paper written has a personal story to it. There is a lot of self disclosure. But in this case I would write my "script" from the tape, and not present it as my personal session. I only see him once a month for 20 minutes and then my social worker after. I talk to him about stuff and ask advice, and he helps me a lot, but it is not intense therapy.

[brillskep]

My T has helped me with academic / professional stuff, however we never recorded a session for a transcript for a project I had. I believe that would be a breaking of confidentiality, even though maybe not in the traditional sense. My T has recommended books to me, let me borrow articles and books, gave me tips. Once I asked him to look over a presentation paper I was supposed to give at a conference and he agreed, mentioning that he didn't want that kind of thing to take much of our session. I said I would bring it when I had it ready, but eventually felt comfortable with what I had and didn't ask for his help. It did help to know he was willing to though.

If I were your T, I might help you too, but not by recording our work and I would not dedicate a whole session / appointment to it. Or if I did dedicate the whole time to it, I would also take the time to ask how come this paper is so important and what it means to you to do this with my help.

But, I'm no pdoc.

I don't think it was inappropriate to ask at all. I mean, you can ask any questions and anything you like. Just don't expect the answer to be what you want every time, but I think it's very important to have this courage and say what's on your mind.

Good luck with your project!

[Lauliza]

Originally Posted by brillskep

If I were your T, I might help you too, but not by recording our work and I would not dedicate a whole session / appointment to it. Or if I did dedicate the whole time to it, I would also take the time to ask how come this paper is so important and what it means to you to do this with my help.

Good luck with your project!

My pdoc actually gave me the idea when I told him about my project and how my partner withdrew from class. He said "I think that sounds like fun. You should just come in here and record the session". There honestly isn't much else meaning behind my asking, other than it sounded like a great idea, and I wouldn't have to come up with a dialogue for the presentation :-)

[AllyIsHopeful]

I'd have to agree that it doesn't hurt to ask. If it is a problem, you gave him the option to say so and decline. I don't see a reason why a therapist or a psychiatrist cannot occasionally play the role of mentor.
I am studying clinical Psychology and I'd ask my current T in a heartbeat if I had any questions or if she'd be willing to help me with something, whether I am still seeing her or not.

[Lauliza]

Just an update, my pdoc's office called and told me he said it is "absolutely ok" to use my appointment to help with my class project. That was a relief and I thought really cool of him. I know some wouldn't feel comfortable but the relationship is pretty easy and I don't see it posing a problem.