Why can't I have two therapists?

Sep 05, 2016, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myrto

Yeah I don't know about lying because I would be supposed to have left my T while on reality still seing her so she is bound to wonder why I am
not more depressed. Maybe she got that vibe yes although like I said she seemed quite keen on working with me. Bah I don't know.

I agree lying not might be the best option given that you want to talk about first T, but the break is a very good suggestion I think. I'm sure my T wanted me to leave T1 when I went on a break and met with him, but he understood it was my decision. He would say things like he had "concerns" about me going back but having the space really gave me chance to look at my relationship with T1 without having to say goodbye to him yet. I did that when I was ready. I always had the option to return and T respected that I might do that.

Myrto · Sep 05, 2016, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolagrace

Could be controlling, or just trying to head off what could be a mess down the road. Myrto knows her situation, but the therapist really knows nothing at this point and kind of has to work assuming the worst case scenario. I can't really fault the therapist for being firm about certain policies and attempting to be proactive in this kind of situation.

It is one thing to help a current client in an effective therapy situation find a new therapist and transition into a new healthy new therapy situation due to insurance changes, moves, retirement, etc; I think quite a few therapists are willing to see a client finishing up with an old therapist under those circumstances where everything is above board and generally the dynamic is healthy on both ends of the equation. But to take on a client who is in conflict with a current therapist at the same time that client is still seeing the therapist they are in conflict with is a more difficult scenario that I can see many not willing to get involved with. There are some out there willing to do so, but I suspect it is harder to find.

Therapists and pdocs set up their policies to avoid those kinds of conflicts of interest. Thus, some will not see family members; others will not see people who are in therapy with other therapists, etc.

Good point. Hadn't thought about that. She may have felt wary about the whole situation.

kecanoe · Sep 05, 2016, 01:55 PM

I see three ts, have been doing so since 2011. I was seeing t1 and T2 when ex-t decided to retire. They helped me thru that (and I was pretty wrecked over it). It took a few sessions for T3 to agree to see me while continuing with T1 and T2. But she did agree. And they all agree that it works fine for me. Actually T1 helped me stick it out with T2 until I was comfortable with her. It took a long time. And then T1 to a large extent and T2 to some extent (T2 made the referral) helped me stick with T3 until her style started helping.

I think you might try talking to new T once more about seeing both for a while. As I said, T3 was pretty opposed to the idea. My first session with her went for over 2 hours with me trying to convince her and crying and generally being undignified. Then it took a couple more before she said that she could see where she could help-that she could help me get over ex-t. Which she has, and so much more. T3 has been the key to helping my treatment resistant depression to lift after 8 years.

I agree that Ts should be willing to do what the client wants or they should not accept the case.

Bipolar Warrior · Sep 05, 2016, 03:22 PM

Is she the only acceptable alternative you've found so far? I'm sorry it's such a struggle to get some help with this situation; I mean, we hardly go to therapy to add more stress to our lives.

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