[SoConfused623]

Overall, I really think that I have a great therapist, but there was a rupture back at the beginning of the year which was about 95% resolved. I still have some reservations about trusting her completely. I met with my pdoc today who works at the same place that my T works and I was tempted to talk to the pdoc about my relationship with my T, just to get some advice from someone who knows both of us. I chickened out because I wasn't sure how it all works and if they talk about me etc.... For instance, if I confided in the pdoc, would she have to keep whatever I said confidential? Or since they are at the same place, would her allegiance be to the T? I'm in the US....does anyone know how this works? Would love some opinions on what everyone thinks. Thanks in advance.

[speckofdust]

My personal experience with a similar situation was that the T and Pdoc traded strictly treatment related info. I shared with my T that I wasn't thrilled with many aspects of the Pdoc (over a period of about a year), but T never told Pdoc about any of that. I never specifically asked my T to keep anything confidential. I'm sure it totally depends on the people and the culture of the practice, though.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by speckofdust

My personal experience with a similar situation was that the T and Pdoc traded strictly treatment related info. I shared with my T that I wasn't thrilled with many aspects of the Pdoc (over a period of about a year), but T never told Pdoc about any of that. I never specifically asked my T to keep anything confidential. I'm sure it totally depends on the people and the culture of the practice, though.

I've talked to my T about my marriage counselor (MC) and vice versa. And both of them about my former p-doc. They are/were in the same practice, and I'd signed forms allowing them to share info about my treatment. I asked them before talking about the other practitioner if they would be willing to keep it confidential. They said yes, and to my knowledge, have kept their word. With T, since I've talked a lot about MC with her (dealing with transference stuff for a while there), she will explicitly ask me if it's OK to share something with him and wouldn't unless she got my OK.

So I'd suggest asking first, like, "There's some stuff about my relationship with T that's been bothering me. Would it be OK to talk to you about it, to get your perspective? And if so, would it be kept confidential from her?"

[dontevenknow]

Hi. Sorry you are having some hesitation in trusting your therapist. I think talking to pdoc about it is a good idea, another opinion never hurts. I would suggest, as lonesome said, just asking her first to keep it between you and her. That way it is clear that you want this confidential which she/he should be able to do. My T and Pdoc used to work in the same practice and would frequently talk to each other about me (pertaining to my treatment) but when I requested one to keep something between us, she honored that.

[SoConfused623]

Thanks everyone for your input, I appreciate it. I ended up calling my Pdoc and asking her if we could talk about a concern that I have about my relationship with T and she said that she couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't discuss with T, if she felt that it would be helpful etc....She said that they both have access to my notes and that they are a team.

I'm feeling really disappointed and not sure what to do about keeping my appointment next week with T......

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by SoConfused623

Thanks everyone for your input, I appreciate it. I ended up calling my Pdoc and asking her if we could talk about a concern that I have about my relationship with T and she said that she couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't discuss with T, if she felt that it would be helpful etc....She said that they both have access to my notes and that they are a team.

I'm feeling really disappointed and not sure what to do about keeping my appointment next week with T......

Ugh, sorry she's not willing to keep it confidential. But better she's upfront about it then telling you she wouldn't tell T, then telling her, I guess. Do you feel comfortable bringing up the concerns with T again?

[SoConfused623]

Thanks LT. I am so tempted to just cancel my appointment with T but I know that I should do my best to face my issues with our relationship and resolve it, it's just so hard! I asked T if we could take a break because right now I feel that therapy is too hard and too time consuming. I think about my T and about therapy ALL OF THE TIME and she said that now is the time where I really need to sit in therapy and grow...or something like that. UGH!