[nottrustin]

I know this has been discussed in the past but I never imagined seeing 2 therapists. I contacted her last week I by email to discuss her thoughts on EMDR (for dealing with PTSD. Her response was that she is all for anything that helps me and that since she knows very little about it I should talk to my coworkers in regards to which providers in my area would be good to see. I told her their recommendation and she agrees I should contact that provider. She mentioned she felt I needed to ask lots of questions and make sure of the symptoms would be releaved So I did but asked how seeing that person would effect my ability to see her. She told me I could see the new person specifically for EMDR and then return to her after. When I asked why she said because of insurance. After contacting my insurance I told her they would for two providers. At that point her her email answers got really short..which is unlike her.

Yesterday at my appointment she asked what prompted me to consider Emdr because a few years ago there was very short discussion and I said no way.we discussed my expectations and questions (we have many). Then she told me she really wanted me to do this. Because of the potential for crossing over into what the other therapist says she will not do any research or to talk with other providers as she knows VERY little about EMDR. Nor will she give me input. It seems kind of harsh or is this the norm? She did agree that after my consultation if I tell her about it she will give me her opinion on if I should do it or not. She also said if I bring up questions in a session better suited for the other therapist she knows we have a relationship she could tell me to check with other.

All seems complicated with lots of "rules" which we have never discussed before...for those who see multiple therapists does it get complicated? Do the the discuss the other therapists in a session. I think in the beginning T took it personally that I was seeing somebody else or was struggling with having to tell me she shouldn't see me or thinking she wasn't providing me with enough. It just all feels so weird

[stopdog]

I have seen two different therapists for the past 5 1/2 years. For me, it is not complicated at all. Although I have told both of them I see a different one, that is all they know. I never ever talk about one of them with the other.

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by stopdog

I have seen two different therapists for the past 5 1/2 years. For me, it is not complicated at all. Although I have told both of them I see a different one, that is all they know. I never ever talk about one of them with the other.

Thank you for you response. Yeah I can't imagine talking about the other. Right now we are talking about the other only in the context should I do this or not and her asking me questions based in research..and fear that it could potentially be retraumatized.

[stopdog]

I did not ask the first one what she thought about me seeing the second. I told her I continued to interview and see other therapists and she said I had the right to do so. I told her I knew it and that was the end of it.

[kecanoe]

I currently see 3 therapists. My last appointment with one is tomorrow, so down to two. All of them know about the others. I started seeing T2 for EMDR with T1's blessing. Then T2 suggested T3 because of her experience with my diagnosis. T3 was not sure about the multiple t thing, but she is ok with it now. I tend to discuss different things with different ts. If I am working on something with another t and the subject comes up, I just say that I am working on that issue with _. I have not had any problems, other than it feels a little awkward to terminate with T2 and still see T3 since they work in the same office. T2 is ok with it, or at least has the decency to pretend she is ok with it. I also saw Ex-T in the middle of all of this. He retired.

I think ts tend to think it might interfere, but I don't think it is their call. If I were in an IOP program, I would see different ts each day-so this is my own modified IOP in my opinion.

What has worked for me is to talk about it with all ts concerned and ask them to give it a try. They have all agreed and it's been ok.

[Out There]

I see two T's , one EMDR and they know about each other. It works for me to see both as the EMDR is structured for my trauma but I work more on the meaning and purpose to the trauma with regular T. I don't delve too deeply into what comes up in EMDR on my T's advice and this is the contraindication usually and that they'll swing against each other. So regular T can move to a more supportive / wellbeing role. It's down to individual T's most of the time but EMDR is hard work and it's understandable people still want to continue seeing their regular T.

I was seeing two psychiatrists as once for 4 months while I was in a CBT program. They worked together and consulted one another regarding my case. ie. One suggested an addition med and the primary one made the prescription, etc.

[nottrustin]

For those doing Emdr, how long of a process has it been?

[Out There]

I'm on my second round of it , about 6 months each round with an 8 month gap - I returned when more stuff came up and to go deeper into earlier trauma and more specific things.

[cinnamon_roll]

Originally Posted by nottrustin

All seems complicated with lots of "rules" which we have never discussed before...for those who see multiple therapists does it get complicated? Do the the discuss the other therapists in a session. I think in the beginning T took it personally that I was seeing somebody else or was struggling with having to tell me she shouldn't see me or thinking she wasn't providing me with enough. It just all feels so weird

I have been working with two Ts for two years now. One is a "normal" T and the other one is art therapy.

A while ago I had to look for a new "normal" T (due to insurance reasons), and while interviewing Ts I was really surprised how many had a problem with me doing art therapy. They seemed to be insisting that they had to be the "only ones"... I do think part of it was their insecurities.

I was lucky to have found a new T who is not only ok with me doing art therapy but also actively encourages me to paint/draw stuff that comes up during our sessions.

I rarely discuss the other T with my normal T or vice versa. I mention them, yes, or what we talked about. But if I have a problem or misunderstanding with T1 normally I would try to sort it out with T1.
I think that's a concern that a lot of Ts might have: That problems with the other therapist will interfere and be dominant in this therapy space as well.

[nottrustin]

I made it clear the first time to T2 that I have a regular T sports hopefully she will be fine with it. Where I think my biggest concern is when I am triggered it can easily cause problems at work, with family, and my mood. Inevitably I will be triggered by Emdr. So to not talk about that with T1 will be difficult...

[slowandgentle]

I see two ts - neither knows about the other. I did talk about t1 a few times
with t2; then I think t2 just assumed I'd left, as he started referring to t1 as my 'ex therapist'.
T2 is for skill building, t1 more psychodynamic. I made up
that mix for myself, as I felt I needed therapy to be able to stay in therapy. I also have past t abuse in my history, and so wanted to feel there was somebody I could talk to if things got scary for me.
It works ok except that t2 wants more from me than I want from him - he wants to use our relationship to explore the issues blah blah, but I just want him for his DBT skills. So I have to continue to do a lot of boundary setting
It works ok, and keeps me in the ongoing therapy (t1) till I am over feeling so insane about it. And no, I can't work it out WITH t1. Just don't have that capability/ set of resources inside of me, and I know I would run very soon if we got into it, because it would be impossibly painful and confusing for me.
I only do 'relationship' stuff with t1 (emotional engagement/closeness), and I use t2 purely for skills & mindfulness training. Though he does get a bit psychodynamic at times, which is annoying but can give interesting insights. I don't think t1 would be happy re me seeing t2