[lucozader]

I've taken a year out from university and go back in September to turn my diploma into a degree. The course requires that we have twenty hours of personal therapy per school year. It has to be with a BACP accredited therapist. I thought my T would be okay there, because he's currently in the process of becoming accredited (he has been BACP registered and practising for around ten years), but yesterday I read the requirements again and saw that it has to have been at least two years since they were accredited.

I thought there would be some flexibility, given that I have a pre-existing therapeutic alliance with my T and he is obviously experienced and ethical. So I spoke to my lecturer on the phone today... nope.

So basically - for those of you who have no idea what I'm on about (and I don't blame you, it's confusing as f***) - I will not be able to continue seeing my T for five months, starting September, I will have to see someone else. Then again the September after.

I'm heartbroken and furious, this is ridiculous. I've finally found a T who works well with me and I'm being forced to move on.

I cannot afford to see two therapists at once. I may see if my T is willing to see me once a month or something, just because I am going to miss him so f***ing much.

No rude or nasty comments in response to this thread, please. Just support.

[Echos Myron redux]

Exactly the same thing happened to my friend, it's infuriating, bureaucratic crap. What about alternating weeks? Or seeing the other one for blocks of 5 across the year. FWIW, my friend found the time went fast and that she gained something from seeing a different T for a bit (even though the new T was a nutjob and she was glad to get back to her old T).
It sucks, really sucks and I'm sorry you have to go through it all. I hope you manage it in a way that works for you.

[toomanycats]

OMG that's awful! I'm so sorry! I'm ragey for you... I hate that you can't do both at the same time maybe both therapists would work with you on a sliding scale? ...ugh... not fair. I'm so sorry.

[Lemoncake]

Would it be possible to see one every other week rather than stop seeing your current T altogether?

Do the 20 hours have to be consecutive? If it's just an hours thing could you see new T for two hours a week so you'd be done quicker?

[lucozader]

Thanks guys

I'm already at the bottom of the sliding scale and couldn't afford to see a new T twice a week.

Alternating weeks might be possible though? If I can find a new T who understands the situation and agrees to it...

I am seeing T tonight (thankfully) and will discuss these possibilities with him.

'Bureaucratic crap' is exactly right. It's not going to be good for me to have to see someone else for the sake of it now. Sort of ruins the whole point of the requirement in the first place doesn't it?

I was trying to hold back tears on the phone to my lecturer, I hope he didn't notice.

[Echos Myron redux]

Personally, I wouldn't tell new T. I would just ask if they will do fortnightly. Reason being a lot will refuse to see you while you're seeing someone else. Seems they're less willing to do so in the UK for some reason.
It's ridiculous from the uni and absolutely defeats the object. Do your dissertation on autonomy and student therapists 😏

[SlumberKitty]

I'm sorry that happened to you. It doesn't sound like an easy situation. I don't know if both T's would be willing to see you at the same time even on alternating weeks because there seems to be a big deal about that although I've never really understood it, personally. I'm glad you have a little time before this starts so you can get it all sorted out. I'm sorry that you are having to go through all of this. It seems horribly unfair. Hugs if you want them.

[lucozader]

Originally Posted by Echos Myron redux

Personally, I wouldn't tell new T. I would just ask if they will do fortnightly. Reason being a lot will refuse to see you while you're seeing someone else. Seems they're less willing to do so in the UK for some reason.
It's ridiculous from the uni and absolutely defeats the object. Do your dissertation on autonomy and student therapists 😏

Yeah, I'm considering that as an option, but I think I'll be wanting to talk about T and about whatever happens in my sessions with him with the other T... it'd feel weird to go in there and just pretend the whole other thing isn't happening. I dunno... maybe.

Thanks for the dissertation suggestion - hah!

[lucozader]

Originally Posted by SlumberKitty

I'm sorry that happened to you. It doesn't sound like an easy situation. I don't know if both T's would be willing to see you at the same time even on alternating weeks because there seems to be a big deal about that although I've never really understood it, personally. I'm glad you have a little time before this starts so you can get it all sorted out. I'm sorry that you are having to go through all of this. It seems horribly unfair. Hugs if you want them.

Thank you. Hugs are definitely welcome!

[Echos Myron redux]

Is it an option to pick a particular thing to work on with temp T, like a phobia or something random, and not let the two sets of work overlap more than they need to? You really only have to turn up to the temp sessions and go through the motions. You could still continue to do the work of therapy with proper T and leave temp T out of it. I'm sure you'll find a way through it that makes it as painless as possible for you.

[Echos Myron redux]

Some research on this subject Psychotherapy trainees’ experiences of their own mandatory personal therapy raise “serious ethical considerations” – Research Digest

[maybeblue]

I've been seeing two therapists for months now. I think it's stupid that they would care, but I know that some do. I've never had my family doctor complain because I want to see a podiatrist. I don't see what the difference is. I didn't mention it to either of them at first. Eventually I did, but not in an asking permission way. Just informing them.

I do live in the US though and I pay out of pocket, so I'm sure bureaucratic rules differ--I just don't see any clinical reason that it is a bad idea. In fact I find it helpful to have two points of view on things.

Anyway, I'm sorry about this. It sounds very stressful. I don't know anything about the situation. I can't recall hearing about a college here that required therapy. However, I do know that bureaucracies have certain rules that they want everyone to follow and the first answer about doing something different is usually "no." Often though there is some kind of appeals process that could result in a different answer. It might be worth asking and if your therapist is willing to help advocate for you it might help.

[LostOnTheTrail]

I have nothing useful to add, but would like to add a 'Bloody hell!' (a la Ron Weasley)

So sorry to hear of this hurdle, Luc.

[lucozader]

Well, I told T about the situation in our session this evening. I think he is sad and annoyed about the whole thing too. He asked what my thoughts are about how I'm going to manage things but I was too afraid to suggest seeing him every other week, or monthly. The part of me that is terrified of rejection shut me down. Hopefully I will be able to ask at some point... maybe I'll email.

Originally Posted by Echos Myron redux

Is it an option to pick a particular thing to work on with temp T, like a phobia or something random, and not let the two sets of work overlap more than they need to? You really only have to turn up to the temp sessions and go through the motions. You could still continue to do the work of therapy with proper T and leave temp T out of it. I'm sure you'll find a way through it that makes it as painless as possible for you.

Yeah, it's possible I guess. I'm thinking about it. But I'd be seeing the temp T for forty sessions in total... that's a lot, really (as long as I've been seeing current T, tonight was our fortieth session.) I can't imagine seeing someone for that long and deliberately kind of withholding the relationship and trying to just 'go through the motions'. That actually sounds really difficult, especially as I tend to be an open and honest and emotive person. They have to be humanistic too so it's not like I can go for CBT or something and see it as very separate.

I guess it's deciding whether that's a better option than just not seeing him for five months a year. It does seem like it right now.

Originally Posted by maybeblue

I've been seeing two therapists for months now. I think it's stupid that they would care, but I know that some do. I've never had my family doctor complain because I want to see a podiatrist. I don't see what the difference is. I didn't mention it to either of them at first. Eventually I did, but not in an asking permission way. Just informing them.

I do live in the US though and I pay out of pocket, so I'm sure bureaucratic rules differ--I just don't see any clinical reason that it is a bad idea. In fact I find it helpful to have two points of view on things.

Anyway, I'm sorry about this. It sounds very stressful. I don't know anything about the situation. I can't recall hearing about a college here that required therapy. However, I do know that bureaucracies have certain rules that they want everyone to follow and the first answer about doing something different is usually "no." Often though there is some kind of appeals process that could result in a different answer. It might be worth asking and if your therapist is willing to help advocate for you it might help.

Thanks for your reply!

My therapist has offered to write a sort of 'personal statement' to present to my lecturers, basically an argument for him being an experienced and ethical therapist, I think. I guess that's a sort of appeal. I will try it in September when I'm able to speak to them in person... no harm in trying.

Originally Posted by LostOnTheTrail

I have nothing useful to add, but would like to add a 'Bloody hell!' (a la Ron Weasley)

So sorry to hear of this hurdle, Luc.

That was useful.

[Echos Myron redux]

Glad he's going to try to fight your corner. Fingers crossed they see sense. In my view it is unethical and risks causing unnecessary harm.

[lucozader]

Originally Posted by Echos Myron redux

Glad he's going to try to fight your corner. Fingers crossed they see sense. In my view it is unethical and risks causing unnecessary harm.

Yes... especially given what a difficult time I am having at the moment anyway (and how well my T is supporting me through it)... I considered that I could say to them "this is really bad for my mental health right now", but then I thought they'd probably just say "then you shouldn't be doing this in the first place"

Why are you not able to finance seeing your T and your training at this point, Luc? Honestly, I would be wary of a T, or T in training, who could not support themselves and their education. Unless there was an explanation.

[lucozader]

Originally Posted by Xynesthesia

Why are you not able to finance seeing your T and your training at this point, Luc? Honestly, I would be wary of a T, or T in training, who could not support themselves and their education. Unless there was an explanation.

Sorry, is this comment supposed to be supportive somehow? You're wary of the fact that I'm struggling financially? What the f***?

Maybe not supportive, but it was a question trying to understand your situation. I did not mean to suggest anything personal. I should probably look at my own finances instead of commenting on others! Sorry, again.

I "know" you from many months ago on this forum, and this is what I see about you since back then. Can't help to ask - what happened? I apologize if I took it wrongly. Just interested to hear what's going on.

[lucozader]

Originally Posted by Xynesthesia

Maybe not supportive, but it was a question trying to understand your situation. I did not mean to suggest anything personal. I should probably look at my own finances instead of commenting on others! Sorry, again.

I "know" you from many months ago on this forum, and this is what I see about you since back then. Can't help to ask - what happened? I apologize if I took it wrongly. Just interested to hear what's going on.

Yes, you were very supportive to me once. That's why it was especially hurtful to see that you'd commented here and it was just to judge my integrity as a T (which is not relevant here anyway) based on, of all things, my financial status.

What do you mean 'what happened'? Nothing has happened. I was poor, I continue to be poor. I have my diploma now but that doesn't mean much at this point - I am still working part time on a voluntary basis for a charity, and part time in retail.

I have not been well - at all. My T has been a great support to me through all of that.

I can afford to see a T, but I cannot afford to have two therapy sessions a week. My education is paid for by a loan. It's expensive.

I think you interpret my comment as much more/more complex than it really was, I apologized, if there is more, please let me know.

I think you described what I was asking for in your last post very well, thank you. What will you do now though? This is just another curious question and nothing else. Any specific plan, are just trying to gather information?

[Sheffield]

We’re you not aware of the course requirements before now or have they changed since you arranged loans etc in order to participate.
I can appreciate how hard it is to have to stop seeing your tried and trusted therapist for a period of 5 months but I can also see the need for the rules re accreditation to be adhered to- there may be legal requirements for insurance purposes and there are certainly financial/administrative issues if many students wished to follow the same path

[lucozader]

Originally Posted by Xynesthesia

I think you interpret my comment as much more/more complex than it really was, I apologized, if there is more, please let me know.

I think you described what I was asking for in your last post very well, thank you. What will you do now though? This is just another curious question and nothing else. Any specific plan, are just trying to gather information?

I will keep an eye out for any suitable jobs that come up, and, at some point, when I'm ready, I will set myself up in private practice. Although it would be nice to have some money, it's not going to come quickly or easily and I'm not in any particular rush. I didn't do this for the money... obviously.

I didn't start this thread to talk about my career, though. I'm here as a client. You can always PM me if you have any more curious questions.

[lucozader]

Originally Posted by Sheffield

We’re you not aware of the course requirements before now or have they changed since you arranged loans etc in order to participate.
I can appreciate how hard it is to have to stop seeing your tried and trusted therapist for a period of 5 months but I can also see the need for the rules re accreditation to be adhered to- there may be legal requirements for insurance purposes and there are certainly financial/administrative issues if many students wished to follow the same path

I was aware of the requirement for accreditation before, but had forgotten, or failed to notice, the stipulation that they should be at least two years post-accreditation.

I don't think any of the issues you suggest are relevant here. I do understand the reason for the rules, but I think there's room for more flexibility. The only reason my lecturer gave me was 'consistency' - I'm not even entirely sure what he meant by that.

Anyway, it doesn't matter. I just started this thread because the situation really sucks and I'm really sad. Not to have a debate about it.

[WarmFuzzySocks]

((luco)) That just plain stinks.

I hope your t's letter helps.

I'm glad to see you posting.