[WrkNPrgress]

I have a personal T and a couples counselor I see with my partner. The other day I got a text, with no introduction (no, Hello, hi, how are you...) asking for the information of my Couples counselor. I've spoken to my own T about our CC before and always with high praise. The CC has helped us a lot and is helping me with some perspective on personal issues as well. So I figured, perhaps T was asking for the info to recommend to someone else. I sent the info and she said thanks and smiley face— That was it.

When I had therapy with her later that day and she didn't bring it up. I didn't ask because, well, I figured if it was a recommendation she wouldn't be able to say anything about another client's situation.

Then I kinda wondered why she wouldn't have had someone in her own circle to recommend? Don't all T's have connections? Then I wondered if my T wanted to consult with my CC about my situation specifically. I can't really imagine anything they would need to discuss, Though I've discussed some emotional abuse and other issues with both— I'm not in some kind of danger zone or anything close to that.

am I reading too much into it? Would a T do that, consult with a clients other Counselor without telling the client?

[anilam]

It's not ethical to do so but I can imagine it happens quite a lot.
In this case, however, I seriously doubt it.

[BlessedRhiannon]

If you've given permission previously for the T's to consult, then they don't have to tell you every time they do. My pdoc and T have been given permission to talk about me - they generally tell me when they've done so, but not always. I'm fine with that, since usually it's just updates on what they're seeing with me or about med changes or something.

However, the only way you'll know for sure what's going on is to just ask your T about it.

[LonesomeTonight]

Not sure if you're in the US, but I had to sign papers allowing my T, marriage counselor, and p-doc to communicate with each other about me. I was also told I could revoke that permission at any time. I think without my giving them signed permission, they wouldn't be allowed to talk about me, even though they're all in the same practice.

A T told me never to sign permission for consultation without including an expiration date. It can be a week or a month or a year. U never know when there will be a change in their or your circumstances. At worse it will take one minute to sign an extension.

[WrkNPrgress]

Okay. I'm pretty sure I didn't sign anything to that effect. It wouldn't bother me to see them to talking, I was just curious.

[emptyspace]

.
They do it all the time. They also consult other Ts, though they are supposed to leave out personal details.
Don't think therapy is confidential, because they talk around the water cooler like any other job...

Not only that but some talk to non-professionals about their clients. Mine did. Unethical, immoral and in violation of numerous codes but nothing stops him from doing whatever he wants. He does not believe in the sanctity of the T/client relationship. He makes up his own rules.

I guess it depends by country as well agency policies (public clinic vs private practice etc)

My ex T has consulted peers and supervisor about me (and her other cases). She told me because I asked her to give me a transitional object and she was uncertain about the ethics and if it would be therapeutic.

However, subsequently, I realized she also consulted with peers when she felt stuck with me or other cases as she'd try things which I later realised was obviously learned from current T.

My counseling ethics lecturer says that counsellors especially in agency settings do discuss cases and consult each other as well as bring cases up for supervision.

They apparently don't give names or identifying details, eg - they give pseudonyms and say "client who is a young adult healthcare worker" vs "client who is a 23 year old nurse"...but the client doesn't get told they were talked about.

[WrkNPrgress]

I'm digging up this thread again because, well, funny thing: She asked for my CC's contact information again. I'm a bit amused and annoyed that she didn't have it on file since the last time she asked, but whatever. I guess that means they're definitely NOT in contact, let alone about me, lol. I'll admit some part me wishes she was calling the CC just to discuss me because I' some special case but another, more realistic part would be kind of horrified at the idea.

So, I do assume it must be to recommend my CC to another client of hers. I praise the CC in my private sessions quite a bit. Our CC is really good and naturally, much of my personal work overlaps with this relationship stuff, and vice versa.

The part that needles me is that I can't imagine how my T wouldn't have her own CC contacts in her work circles? She works in an office with several other therapists - I'm know some of them do couples work.

[atisketatasket]

If I were you I would ask. I am quite sure that therapists talk about clients to each other often, but the three I've seen that I wanted to talk to another therapist or doctor all needed a signed release form.

But I'd want to know why she asked for the contact info twice. And it is your right to know.

[WrkNPrgress]

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

If I were you I would ask. I am quite sure that therapists talk about clients to each other often, but the three I've seen that I wanted to talk to another therapist or doctor all needed a signed release form.

But I'd want to know why she asked for the contact info twice. And it is your right to know.

You know, I think you're right. I would have had to sign something and I'm certain she's ethical enough to bring it up with me if she really wanted to discuss my case with our CC. She's pretty by the book.

[Merecat]

There may be reasons for wanting someone outside of her centre, or she may have someone with particular needs or just want someone she knows is good. She may have other Ts in her centre but not be sure if their skill with particular issues, there are lots of reasons why she might want your CC details although I'm surprised she didn't keep the details from the first time. It might be worth asking her?

[Lauliza]

It may be that the person asking for referrals doesn't want someone in your Ts office? She may not have many connections outside her immediate circle. I think it's more odd that your T asks you for the information without telling you why. My T asked me for the name of a child therapist for a client of hers, but she went into a long spiel about why she was asking first. Have you thought of asking her why she asked?

[luvnola]

I'd ask bc it would probably drive me nuts LOL The first time, I would have assumed she was updating my chart or something and wanted to be sure to have all my ts in my file. But asking a 2nd time would rule that out. She probably does just want it for a referral, although I can't imagine a t asking a client for information for a referral, but that's just my own experience with ts. And yep, she would need your signature on a consent form to talk to you cc about you.

[WrkNPrgress]

Honestly, My T is pretty tight-lipped about anything that doesn't have to do directly with my own therapy. That is another reason I don't really think it was about me. Also if anything, Between both our CC and my T someone would have me sign something to have that discussion. I'm 100% sure my CC would have to approve it with me and my partner before discussing anything with someone else. So , the more I think about it, again. Yeah. I'm not worried.

My T is very conscious of not straying "off-topic", as it were. When she asked this time, it was though she were remembering to ask me, "Oh yeah, before I forget, what did you say the name your CC was again?..." I gave her the number and showed her the CC's website on my phone, she wrote down the info and thanked me with a big smile. So, I think it's just that I've raved about this CC in so many ways, I wouldn't blame her if she wanted someone outside of her own group. Our CC is pretty amazing, we've recommended lots of friends for private and Couples counseling. Heck, maybe T wants a CC for herself, for all I know. I wouldn't mind if she did but really I think it's probably a rec.

I don't feel the need to press the issue, I just thought it was interesting. I'm kinda happy about the idea that my presence and my own experience my help someone else somewhere.