[musinglizzy]

So my T is retiring, so I've been checking out a new T....we've had four sessions. During the third session, she brought up my signing releases of information for my providers. I signed one for every one, except my current T. Some of you recall our history. I do not believe it would be in my best interest to have her talk to my T, but she says it's an "ethical thing."

She's making a big deal about it, and questioning why I am making such a big deal out of it myself. I do not want my T involved in future therapy in any way!! And that's my !@#(*&$! right, right???

I'm SO irritated.....she talked to my specialty doc yesterday, and HE called me today, giving me a 20 minute lecture on how I need to sign this. I've explained many reasons why this would not be in my best interest....but she says it's "clinic policy" basically. I'm about ready to quit ALL of these people!!! I see my specialty doc on Monday, and I'll be expecting another lecture. Therapists have just been more trouble than they're worth.....

[stopdog]

You don't have to sign it. The new therapist might decide to quit - but you don't have to sign it.
I would never sign a waiver to let them talk to each other.

[SlumberKitty]

Wow. I would be really upset too if I were in your position. I don't know the history and that's okay, but just thinking of all the things I have told my former T, I wouldn't necessarily want my new T to just have access to all of that. I mean it took years for me to open up and tell her all that stuff and who knows if I can trust new T. I think it should be your right to not sign the form. It should be your right to decide who knows what and who gets to talk to who about you and your care. It seems really out there that your specialty doc got involved and started lecturing you on the whole thing. Who cares about policy...this is your care. I'm irritated for you!

[LonesomeTonight]

It's your decision. You're under no obligation to have her talk to your current (retiring) T. I ran into something similar with my current T wanting to talk to my (then-current) marriage counselor. I said I wanted him to get to know me on his own first, so that his opinion of me wouldn't be colored by someone else (I later let him talk to him, but I had to build up trust and a connection with current T first). And I never let him talk to my ex-T.

[ruh roh]

I would tell the new therapist that the one that'e retiring is being sued by clients and that it's brought into question much of her treatment of you, that allowing a release of information under these circumstances would be similar to granting permission to talk to your abusers from childhood. It would be undermine any potential trust you might form with a new therapist.

[JaneTennison1]

Are you seeing a new T at her clinic? It my be best to get well shot of the whole thing. Don't sign anything.

I wouldn't sign it.

My past/current/future relationship with medical doctors or therapists is none of their business unless I want it to be. I would be very put off by a provider claiming I "needed" to do x, y, or z.

[Favorite Jeans]

If I were undecided about whether to sign an information release waiver, getting badgered about it would have me deciding against it very quickly. Furthermore, a therapist who is willing to badger me and not respect my "no" would lose my trust and respect and I would likely not continue seeing them. Having one's boundaries respected by the therapist is a non-negotiable element of good therapy.

[musinglizzy]

Thank you for all the thoughts!! Ruh roh...yep, I told her about the lawsuit (and now the people suing her got a protective order, WTH??) I am irritated beyond belief....liked this new T...but to keep nagging me about this? Seriously, she's getting a feel for me without T1's help!! And I have NO interest involving T1 into new therapy, but it appears that I cannot continue to work with this new T if I don't sign the form. Another T bites the dust I'm afraid.... this is really eating me up. All I've told her about T1..... and she wants to stress me out more by talking to her?

[starfishing]

That is completely ridiculous. There's no reason you should be expected to let them talk to one another, let alone demanded to.

[Pennster]

What is her reasoning for wanting to talk to your old therapist? I have seen a lot of therapists and none of them have ever asked me to allow them to talk to any of my previous therapists.

I would walk away from anyone who tried to pressure me into signing a release like that. Why is she so unconcerned about how she is disrespecting your boundaries? I would think this doesn’t bode well for the future.

[Myrto]

It doesn't matter why you don't want to sign it, if it's no then it's no. If they can't respect your decision, that's a very bad sign. Why the hell do these people want your current therapist to talk to your ex therapist so much? This is so bizarre honestly. I have literally never had a therapist even ask me about the name of any of the previous ones I had.