[RedSun]

So, I know some of you here have two T's, I think that is a long term arrangement?

I am thinking of seeing a second T just for a couple of sessions. My T and I have got stuck a few times on a certain subject. It was really hurtful last time this happened. I have tried to talk it over with T, but I've said now that I'm just not going to talk about that subject with her anymore because it (from my viewpoint) gets twisted and it hurts.

I'm thinking of seeing another T just for a couple of sessions, to talk about this subject. It's not a major issue, but I guess I feel that I would like to address all the issues as I'm going through therapy, so that I can emerge fully self aware and contained at the other end

Has anyone done this? Any thoughts? Btw, I know I know that I should talk to my T about the subject, but it just hurt too much...she knows I don't want to talk to her about a certain issue (I don't think she knows what) and she is sad that I don't trust her. But I feel fine about that.

Thanks. Xx

[musinglizzy]

I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I know a handful of people on here see two Ts. I know one pays out of pocket...not sure about the others. I would be curious to know if anyones' insurance actually covers two T's for the same person? My insurance does not have a limit. I could see my T 5 days a week if I wanted to. I'm not sure though and I haven't checked to see yet if they will cover two Ts though. I have a T I contacted who is actually waiting on me to set up a possible phone consultation, but I suppose I should wait to see if I could realistically see her or not. T and I have been at a bit of a standstill for the last 9 months....but just yesterday, I went in with a changed attitude and things went QUITE well. So we will see. But I'd love to consult with another therapist about a few things. Temporarily, or keep a second one permanently, or slowly make the transition from old T to new T. We'd have to see. But I can't afford it out of pocket, so my insurance company would have to determine that....

[atisketatasket]

I have/do, once a week each. The arrangement will end soon as I am temporarily going to be working elsewhere for my job for a few months. When I come back, I might see both again. I pay out of pocket, and they're both expensive, so it would probably go biweekly instead of weekly.

I find them both helpful in very different ways. No. 2 is more practical stuff. No. 1 is more emotional stuff. No. 1 does annoy the heck out of me at times, probably because of the emotional stuff, but I think I'd miss the aggravation.

I don't see any issue with seeing a second therapist for a few weeks if it would help with this one issue and soothe a rift between you and your main therapist.

[RedSun]

Thanks both

Musinglizzy I pay out of pocket. I was thinking that I would skip a session with regular T on the weeks that I see the other T.
ATAT did you start out with one T? If so, how dis she react when you wanted to see another?

[atisketatasket]

Originally Posted by Red75

Thanks both

Musinglizzy I pay out of pocket. I was thinking that I would skip a session with regular T on the weeks that I see the other T.
ATAT did you start out with one T? If so, how dis she react when you wanted to see another?

I started out with No. 1. She referred me to No. 2. They collaborate.

In the UK, Ts tend to be less happy about their clients seeing more than one from what I can gather, some even contract against it (mine does actually, but he says there can be exceptions). It might be that your T would be fine with it, but it's not that common in this country I don't think.
That said, I tend to agree with something stopdog once said on this subject when I was contemplating taking on another T, which was that the therapist should have no say over what the client does outside of the therapy hour they are paid for.

[stopdog]

I see two and pay out of pocket. I have done so for almost 5 years. They do not know who the other is and I would never, ever, let them speak to each other about me. One is better at some things and the other has different areas where she is not unuseful. I did not ask permission and I would not let a therapist tell me whether I could see another one or not. If they had some policy against it, I simply would not tell them.
The first one just said it was my right to do it if I chose and the second didn't really say anything.

[musinglizzy]

Just curious if anyone has ever had experience with insurance paying for two? Or NOT doing so?

[UnderRugSwept]

My insurance pays for both of my Ts...I just pay the copay.

I have a regular T, an EMDR T and a pdoc. Regular T I see every week. EMDR T I see 12 (yes, twelve) times a week now and then again for intensive inpatient treatment, and I see or call her to evaluate how it went. I don't see regular T during those weeks because it's impractical, but I did speak to her on the phone last EMDR week. And I see my pdoc every other week for an hour - the weeks I don't see him we have a phone check in. Pdoc is fairly T-y too - not quite real therapy, but we certainly do more than discuss meds.

Oh, and when I was in residential I saw 2 T's - EMDR T and CBT T. Both once a week. I know there are more people on PC who have or had both a 'normal' T and a CBT .

And I've just started seeing a social worker - first appointment was last Friday, next appointment is in a week and a half.

[RedSun]

Thanks all.
I'm going to bring it up tomorrow.
****.

[iheartjacques]

I've seen a pdoc every fortnight for 2.5 years. He does talk therapy. I've recently started seeing a psychologist in the 'off' weeks. It's been helpful. It's not long term. It's just to deal with some hard stuff that I find it hard to talk to first male T about.
I like him, and I like her. They both have a good sense of humour and I can giggle or cry or whatever. Not with everyone though. I've had quite a few over the years. Some I've never gone back after the first appointment, some never back after a few sessions. For once I got lucky

[musinglizzy]

I appreciate this thread.

I called my insurance company this morning, and they will pay for two T's. I could essentially have a different T for every day of the week if I wanted to...lol...and they'd pay for it. I guess I have pretty darn good insurance! So I think I'll make arrangements to start seeing a T2.

[kecanoe]

Originally Posted by musinglizzy

Just curious if anyone has ever had experience with insurance paying for two? Or NOT doing so?

Mine pays for all 3.

[kecanoe]

Oh, and I find it helpful to have more than one T. I do EMDR with one, SE with another and regular talk therapy with the third. Sometimes I cover the same thing with more than one t, and it just seems to work out. All of my ts had to be talked into it, but now they all think it is a good thing.

[RedSun]

Thanks all.
We talked about it today. She basically said no, she wouldn't work that way. And then we spent all ****ing session talking about it, and wasted a ****ing hour. She could have just said 'actually, no'. Ffs.

[musinglizzy]

I'm sorry Red. We are practically in the same boat by the sounds of it. Needing to work on something related to our T's, but for some reason or another, hitting roadblocks when talking to them about it.

You're a better person than I... because if I were to do it, I wouldn't tell my T. I know that's not a good way to go, but it would just be something I need to work out on my own...which would help us in the long run. I would, of course, tell T2 about T1, but I'm quite sure I wouldn't tell T1 until after I'd had the sessions and hopefully worked through it. I'm not an advocate for keeping secrets from our T....but in this case... I may. I have NO evidence to back me up, but quite sure she would not agree with it.

[stopdog]

I really see no reason to seek their permission. It is just not their call in my opinion. The therapist has nothing to do with it in my opinion.