[itjustis]

I heard a rumour that my T might be teaching the course I plan on doing.
I know it's only hear say but my mind has gone straight to the ethics around it.

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest if this did happen, and I don't think it would bother her. However, if she did become my tutor she would no longer be my T. I'm not sure how I feel about that yet.
Also I have been told that if T has counselled students then she is unable to teach them due to the ethical guidelines.

I've heard of dual relationships happening, I'm just unsure what the ethics are about it? Is it down to the client/counsellor relationship and if they could handle it and feel comfortable or is it set in stone that she won't be able to teach me? Even if we haven't been client/T for some time?

My T knows I want to do this course next year, and she wouldn't want anything to stop me.
I'll talk to T about this of course, but in the mean time it's playing on my mind.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did it work out for you?
Does anyone have any advice about this please?

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I'm the US so it may be different here but I had my therapist for 2 classes when I was in college. The first time I wasn't actively seeing him as a patient and the 2nd time I was. I went to a tiny college and he was the only therapist and only person who taught the classes I needed for my degree.

The first time was actually more difficult for me. The 2nd time we had talked about my feeling uncomfortable and worked out solutions to as much as possible. It actually wound up feeling no different than I would if I were to run into my current therapist in the grocery store.

[Sarmas]

My T was my professor first. I started seeing a dietitian during the semester that she was teaching me but she wouldn't see me as a client because of the dual relationship issue. Once final grades were up then I had sessions with her.

I have heard of quite a few situations like that, where the therapist-client relationship was mixed with teacher-student. I also engaged in something similar for a while with my former T, and that relationship did not end well, but not because of my taking classes from him, I think. Also, as a college student, I frequently used my favorite professors as confidants and sort of career and life coaches. I did have a crush on some of them (because I admired some of their qualities, primarily). I personally did not experience any block or trauma with these types of dual relationships (other than the intensity associated with them), more the opposite I think... but they are definitely not for everyone.

Not sure about the official ethical code about these, but my personal opinion is that both therapist-client and teacher-student are professional constellations and can work in similar ways and also bring out similar emotions at times. If you have the interest and dilemma and your T is not against doing this, maybe try some classes and see from experience?

[Merecat]

In the U.K. It would be for the T to make sure any dual relationship didn't impact adversely on their client. So, your T might need to arrange not to be the person that provides you with tutor support on your course, or to have someone second mark your work. She would need to set boundaries around what you took to your sessions from the course etc. It's not impossible but it is very tricky - for example would you tell other people on the course she was your T? Is it the kind of course that needs quite a bit of self disclosure from you (eg a counselling course) and if so how would you feel about disclosing stuff in front of her that you may or may or may not want to talk about in session.

Depending on your relationship and her skill and the stage of therapy, it might be absolutely fine.

Here in Ireland it is unethical to have any dual relationship with your t, teacher and t would not be allowed. You would not be accreditation after your course and it clearly states it in the IACP code of ethics. It causes me great difficulty with my training because I have seen a lot of ts from my county and my choices are very limited especially around supervision.
I had to leave my gestalt training after the first year because my t would be teaching there. I could have dumped my t and continued my training like most people but damn attachment

[CantExplain]

Dual relationships don't end well. You can't have both a real and an "unreal" relationship with the same person. The delicate illusion that is therapy will be damaged.

I personally don't think I could work with any of my tutors in therapy because I have such a different relationship with them. I don't think there's a hard and fast rule in the bacp ethical framework, but the practicioner has to justify their practice against the ethical principles. If she took on this dual role she may be opening herself up to complaints, which she might not want to do. The course leaders may not want to accept you on the course in light of the dual relationship either as they too have ethical responsibility.
Are there any other therapy courses you could apply to instead?

[itjustis]

Thank you all for you replies.
T said she was thinking about teaching the course but she's unsure if she will even get the job. She said if it does turn out that she will be my tutor then she wouldn't be able to be my counsellor.

I think I'm ok with that. It wouldn't be until next year anyway.