[geez]

Have you ever texted your T? What is your T's policy on texting?

[tealBumblebee]

Not even an option with mine.

I really like to text rather than talk on the phone, but I save my texting joys for my sisters and good friends. I have no desire to text my therapist or even call her on the phone. Like her a lot but even 50 minutes once a week is enough contact for me!

My former therapist initially encouraged me to email following my sessions if anything came up for me. I did it a couple of times, and although I definitely express myself better in written form than verbal, I didn't like it and stopped. I think texting and email works for some people. I think it helps them to keep a solid connection with their therapist, but it's not for everyone and definitely not for me.

[Soccer mom]

My T. used to let me text other than for appts until my transference. She was worried she would misinterpret my feelings. I got upset once that she didn't respond even though she told me she wouldn't if she thought it was better to address it in session.
I read somewhere that texting and emails allow for someone to state what they want to say with the ability of editing and making it perfect before sending. Never had thought of that.

[Achy Turtle Armor]

My T & I text one another. He told me that he is encouraged by his boss to use a phone call rather than a text. If a longer conversation is required he will call me. Otherwise we will have short chats via text. As far as rules, there are no hard and fast rules on how often I can text him. I have self imposed rules.

[JaneTennison1]

I have kind of a rough event coming up and T said I could keep in touch with her by text to get through it. I declined as I don't know how I would pay for those or how it would work. Nice offer but no.

[Freewilled]

I'm allowed, I guess. Meaning I have his cell phone number. I've texted before, but very minimally and only related to appointment times or letting him know if I'm running late. Probably once every month or six weeks, on average...I did text him one time only thanking him for a session and wishing him a nice weekend

I find I am more likely to feel humiliated afterwards when I text or email T (when related to my feelings) in between sessions....idk why, but therefore I try hard to avoid doing so.

[~Christina]

My T is early 60'a and has no desire to learn how to. He welcomes my calls at any time.

[stopdog]

I rarely text with anyone and would not do it with the therapist. I think she does do it with some clients.

[nottrustin]

T doesn't like to text. I did text her once about something that had nothing to do with therapy and asked her to call if she had moment.. Other than that we have only used email and phone. She is fine with both. I use to call her however, once I called her home/office number and I could tell she was in the middle of something and felt really bad. Now I only call if it is an emergency. I pretty much only email

[HazelGirl]

I text my T all the time, and am allowed to do so as much as I want about whatever topics I want.

[LilacLime]

My ex-T and I occasionally texted during some rough spells. I didn't always feel super comfortable with it though. I think it definitely made her caring more apparent though then with this current T. I don't think I bonded with my ex-T as well as I have with my current T, but I chalk that up to the fact I've seen current T for a longer period of time and it's more recent. Anyway that was a long winded backstory to say yet again like most boundary issues I'm torn. Part of me wants to be able to text her because I live in an environment were it's not really safe or comfortable to make calls or at least I only can in very limited time windows that rarely work for both of us. So sending a text would be much better in that sense. In another sense I would be really afraid of becoming too dependent on her because it would be so easy to send a quick text I could see myself abusing the privilege. That and I think I would feel really guilty about bothering her when she's supposed to be off of work. Also I would be afraid she wouldn't really be putting her full attention or effort into it because of the nature of the medium. Plus I get triggered very easily and I can see how I could read something one way when she met another. So like I said before I'm just very torn on the subject.

I can txt my T when I need to. I don't do it that often - when I have been in a very bad state I might have sent two texts in the same week but normally I try to go at least a month between txts, usually more (not counting scheduling issues, which are uncommon, but if they arise I don't hesitate to txt him about them.) I don't txt when he is on holiday.

T usually doesn't respond, and only once or twice he's responded with more than "let's discuss that at our next meeting). He never txts me unless I have txted first.

[tooski]

My T doesn't text - period. He also doesn't "do therapy by email". He is in private practice and can set his own boundaries. I kind of hate it, but he specializes in marriage & family therapy, not trauma, so I guess there's less need for between session contact in that area. Of course he'll make exceptions for emergencies, but then ... what constitutes an emergency??

[RedSun]

I text if I'm late or something. Though I don't have a mobile so I have to remember to take my sons on therapy day! She texts me if she's late too.
Other than that, email from me, not often. And she would call me home number if she had to reschedule etc. everyone knows better than to text....my son just deletes it

[Achy Turtle Armor]

Originally Posted by tooski

My T doesn't text - period. He also doesn't "do therapy by email". He is in private practice and can set his own boundaries. I kind of hate it, but he specializes in marriage & family therapy, not trauma, so I guess there's less need for between session contact in that area. Of course he'll make exceptions for emergencies, but then ... what constitutes an emergency??

I'd say feeling suicidal or the desire to harm would be an emergency...

[Achy Turtle Armor]

Another comment on texting... If I am not thinking clearly but rather paranoid, texting can be horrible for me. If there's no reply I do this...
Is he mad at me?
Am I bothering him?
Did I say the wrong thing?

It just goes on and on until he assures me, puts the breaks on me, or I implode.

[harvest moon]

Mine is 74 years old, doesn't own neither a cellphone nor a pc! Really really old school and I've come to prefer it this way.

[iheartjacques]

I get no out of session contact with mine

[musinglizzy]

I was never given the option to text, but T was going on vacation to a really cool national monument type place, and I told her I'd love it if she would text or Email me a pic. A few days later, she texted me several beautiful pics, and I just loved seeing them! Since then, I have texted very sparingly.... but the other day she wanted me to come in early as she had to leave early, and she sent me a text asking if I could come in early that day. So, I'm glad shes willing to use text, because, she wouldn't have gotten me otherwise. I can receive texts at work, but I have no phone/internet reception there. Being able to text doesn't make a lot of sense....

[junkDNA]

i text my t like every day. sometimes abt therapy things but sometimes just random stuff like yesterday i had to do excel homework and i texted him and said **** excel and he said blasphemy!!! because he is an excel addict. but yeah. he usually responds but sometimes he doesnt but i dont get upset about it. sometimes its just fine to know he read what i sent. like i just wanna get it out of my head and by texting it to him i can do that.

[healed84]

T and I text usually when I'm in crisis..sometimes if t needs to cancel or ask me if I can come in earlier. I am thankful that is a method he lets me use. I know not everyone of his clients are given hi cell phone number.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I'm not 100% on our rules anymore

I know calls are for emergencies and check-ins. Emails need to be limited in detail and size, but they are mostly for updates or pictures. Texts...she checks those the least. I guess I use it for when I can't reach her by phone? Idk. I rarely use it.

[HealingTimes]

I am allowed to text my t whenever i want, about any topic i want.

Generally, i don't text after 8pm, and never on weekends. She encourages it, and i like doing it.

T and i text.