[atisketatasket]

The other thread put me in mind of this.

I am wondering how common it is to see multiple therapists or other mental health care worker? I don't mean a psychiatrist and a therapist; I mean two of the same type of mental health professional, whose duties and job descriptions would be expected to be the same.

I see two therapists, because when I started I wanted a therapist with a very specific specialization. My referrer could only find No. 1, who had a passing familiarity with the issue, but hardly specialized. No. 1 eventually found No. 2, who did specialize. I chose to keep seeing both because I found No. 1 helpful on other things. They were both fine with the arrangement and do collaborate if necessary.

So, anyone out there with two (or more) therapists besides me and stopdog? And if you do keep two therapists, why or how did it come about?

[Leah123]

I've don't see two on a regular basis but I've consulted with a second therapist (and third) a few times during this course of therapy and told (not asked) my therapist. I've done so to get perspective on my primary therapeutic relationship, to get additional support, to get specialized advice.

[aetheorist]

I've personally never felt the need to see multiple individual therapists but I've seen one for couples therapy and another for individual which may not count as far as the topic is concerned. I have also shopped around while seeing one and looking to replace.

[aetheorist]

Nevermind this post.

My T told me that in this country (UK) it is traditional to only see one therapist and that it is generally accepted that it's not a good idea to see more than one.
He went on to say there are no absolutes and as far as he is concerned there might be occasions where it is useful. For example, if a client needed specialist trauma treatment, but still wanted the consistency of a long term, trusted T.

I see nothing wrong with it at all. People should do what works best for them.

[iheartjacques]

If I could afford it, I'd see another one. So if I had a crappy day with one, I could talk it out with the other one.

[stopdog]

I never talk about one with the other. I may bring up the same subject matter at times, but never the other therapist. They each have strengths and weaknesses and I try to remember what each of them can handle and what each sucks at.

I started interviewing a lot of them after I started seeing the first one (when she refused to explain what was supposed to happen in therapy) to see what differences there might be and because the first one would mention but not describe what a good fit was. The second one is the only one out of around 30 I interviewed that I went back to for a second appointment. I just never stopped seeing the first one and then just never went to the bother to choose between the two. Having two different ones just seemed to work for me and so I have been seeing two for about 4 years. I like comparing how they do things, it gives me more info to choose from, and it fascinates me to go in and tell them the exact same thing in the exact same way and get completely opposite responses. It is also interesting that one has said I am a challenge and the other says I am a delightful client. I don't know why either felt the need to tell those things -but they did.

[eeyorestail]

My insurance wouldn't pay for more than one and I can't afford to pay out of pocket. Thankfully, though, the one I have meets all my current needs.

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[atisketatasket]

Originally Posted by stopdog

It is also interesting that one has said I am a challenge and the other says I am a delightful client. I don't know why either felt the need to tell those things -but they did.

They're not mutually exclusive, of course - it is possible to be a delightful challenge.

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[divine1966]

I see no need for two. I barely have time for one, I do not even see her weekly, I can't imagine seeing two.

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