[justanumber]

So, I've been recovering from a surgery and my T has been helping me with coping strategies. Last week, she said she felt out of the loop and wanted to contact my doctors to ask about my health. I totally freaked out. It feels like she doesn't trust me to tell her what's going on. I told her that, and she said that was wrong, it was just that she wanted to be more informed. I get that Ts may need to talk to Pdocs. But other doctors? This would be to my orthopaedic doctor who doesn't know I'm in therapy. Have any of your Ts talked to your doctor? How did you feel about it?

[nottrustin]

The only time my therapist talked to my doctor is when she anonymously consulted with her about the possibility of taken me on as a client. When I finally agreed my doctor then contacted her with my basic personal information.

The only other time was when I took to many sleeping pills one day in an attempt to get some much needed sleep. Hubby called my therapist and she offered to talk to the ER doctor if I wanted her to. She wanted him to tell him that she was aware and that she was certain that it was not a suicide attempt and that she did not feel I needed inpatient. Also that she would be be seeing me within 24 hours and would keep in contact.

She has offered to talk to psych NP if I wanted her to but she trusted me and my relationship with PNP. She didn't feel it was necessary. I have signed a release for them but neither has contracted the other.

[ThisWayOut]

If you are feeling unsure, it's ok to refuse. I think I would be hesitant to let my t talk to doctors outside of my general psych care unless there was something major going on that would have impact in that sphere. It's ok for your ortho dr not to know you are in therapy... I think I would have also interpreted your t's request as you did...
you could offer to answer questions for her maybe?

[geis]

That would be a big fat NOPE for me.

I've already run into way too much stigma from medical doctors when they find out I'm also a psych patient. I'm living with severe, chronic illness, but I've been repeatedly denied treatment, accused of faking it for attention, been told my issues were all psychosomatic, and been called drug-seeking. It's nearly cost me my life more than once, and that's not an exaggeration.

So now I don't tell doctors I have psych issues. I'm not on any psych drugs, so I'm not omitting any information that would put me at risk for drug interactions or anything like that.

Why doesn't your therapist trust you to relay information about what's going on with you? That would be a major red flag for me in a therapy relationship.

[stopdog]

I don't see mds but if I did I certainly would not let the therapist talk to them.

[HazelGirl]

I wouldn't mind if my T talked to my doctors (they all know I have mental health problems because I have to report what medications I take, and so it becomes fairly obvious I have mental health problems). But I don't think my T would need to.

I think that if you're uncomfortable with this you have every right to say no to this request. I recently moved and my new GP's nurse asked if I was in therapy for "my depression" and when I told her that I had found a therapist and was currently in treatment, she requested I sign a Release of Information form. I asked why. I was genuinely confused because I had told her my depression was currently not a major problem in my life and I wasn't there asking for an anti-depressant. The nurse said the doctor liked to have the name and release of information form signed for other treatment providers "just in case." I was NOT happy with that response. I told her I had already signed the forms for the medical professionals who were treating me for physical problems and that the reason I was seeking out a GP was to coordinate my physical health issues. I told her, however, that I wasn't comfortable having a general release form signed accessing my personal mental health information. The nurse continued to press the issue. I told her I'd discuss it with the doctor. Personally, I was ready to leave the office at that point, but finding a doctor in the town I now live is HARD to find. Anyway, I talked with the doctor and she was perfectly fine with me not signing a release and she told me that she also had no problem with me not wanting to discuss mental health issues unless I brought them up. I have a weird feeling that the pressure to sign the release form was more about this particular nurse's need than it was the doctor. The GP seemed genuinely fine with my decision. I liked her calm, rational reaction to the whole issue. So, I decided to stick with her practice for the time being. I hope things work out for you regarding your decision.

Originally Posted by justanumber

So, I've been recovering from a surgery and my T has been helping me with coping strategies. Last week, she said she felt out of the loop and wanted to contact my doctors to ask about my health. I totally freaked out. It feels like she doesn't trust me to tell her what's going on. I told her that, and she said that was wrong, it was just that she wanted to be more informed. I get that Ts may need to talk to Pdocs. But other doctors? This would be to my orthopaedic doctor who doesn't know I'm in therapy. Have any of your Ts talked to your doctor? How did you feel about it?

I wouldn't like it if my T said this, I can't really understand why she wants to talk to your doctor - does she think you didn't ask all the questions you needed to? does she think you aren't bring honest with her? Is there more information she thinks you two should have from the doctor for your recovery from the surgery?

[ScarletPimpernel]

My T offered to talk to my ob/gyn. The doctor wanted input from my entire treatment team about if she helped me get pregnant. I would have allowed my T to talk to her... But my primary at the time was against me getting pregnant, so it basically shutdown the conversation for a year. (I have since gotten rid of that primary and the year will be up in two months )

[SnakeCharmer]

I would want my T and MD to be working together, especially if I had just undergone a serious medical procedure. I'd want my T to have an objective view of my situation, including my prognosis. I wouldn't want him just going on what I say, which might be catastrophizing or minimizing or cherry picking, depending on my emotional state, pain medications and what I was capable of taking in while I was recovering from a serious condition.

Honestly, sometimes I don't trust myself, not when I'm sick, so why would I expect my T to trust what I say?

[angelene]

Don't sign anything you are not comfortable with! Especially when it comes to your privacy!

In my case, I have given everyone in my "team" — family, psychiatric & rheumatological — the go-ahead to all be in the loop. No one seems to have used the access they've been granted yet. I think everyone just wants to make sure there are no conflicts w/ medication.

[SheHulk07]

I might be the odd one out, but my main T has contacted my Obgyn and my PCP with my permission. It started off with me having an appt last year that I was nervous that my obgyn would be seeing my cuts, so my T offered to call her beforehand and discuss it with her. And over the year, they have been in contact several times, and I haven't had a problem yet. Both my doctors are amazing and very supportive that I have a therapist, which I know can be unusual.

[justanumber]

Thanks a lot for all the comments and for sharing. Made me feel less weird about the whole thing.

I've decided not to let T talk to my doc - I need to understand why she wants to speak to him and how that would benefit me. I've been open with her about what treatment I am having - it hurts that she may not trust me on that. I don't understand the relevance to my therapy, other than we are having shorter sessions at the moment because I get very tired.