[FellowBlueberry]

My mom and I were both getting some fast food. I got Taco Bell and she got Jack in The Box. On our way from Taco bell across the street to Jack in The box, we ended up right window to window with a car that had a guy in it that looked like T. It made me uncomfortable so I looked away the whole time, figuring it was just a look-a-like.

When we pulled into the Jack In the Box line, the same car pulled behind us and in my side mirror, I was able to see the guy better. It looked just like T. The weight, the facial structure and slight beard, the age, etc, all seemed to match up with T. Then as we were pulling off, I saw the back of his car which looked like T's too. I know what cars he drives (he actually has two) cause we sometimes meet at the park for sessions and I've seen him drive off before.

With the combination of the guy looking like T and the car looking like T's car, I'm 90% sure it was him. I'm pretty sure he didn't see me, in the drive-thru he was looking down at his phone.

It feels so awkward. I know it seems like I'm overreacting but I feel like you just don't expect to run into your T in such an informal place such as a Jack in The Box line at almost 8 PM on a Friday night?

Has anyone else run into their T in public? Did you say something to them or mention it later? I'm kind of considering bringing it up next session cause I'm kind of interested to see if it actually was him or if my mind is just playing tricks on me.

T and I go out for dinner quite often so I dont have that sort of anxiety. We are in public a lot together.
It makes me think of being young and seeing your teacher in public. Arent they supposed to LIVE at school? I recall seeing teachers in public and not understanding how they got out of the classroom

[emmaleemochizuki]

Fortunately no. I would hate that if it happens.

[ArtieTheSequal]

I ran into my t at Costco once, she was in the line next to the one I was in. I called out hi to her and she said hi back and then we both checked out, chatted briefly as we waited in the line to exit the store (they have people that check receipts on the way out) then said see ya and went our separate ways. It was nice, not weird at all.

[nottrustin]

I ran into long term T twice, once at the grocery store and once at a public tour of a local historical building. Living in a small area we discussed early on how she would handle it if we ran into each other in public. She would not speak to me first. If I initiated contact she would reciprocate. At the grocery store we both said hi and moved on. At the tour we had to wait for a bit before the tour began so we talked for a few minutes.

Current T and I live about 60 miles apart so not likely to run into each other unless I am on vacation in her town(a beautiful resort town. Before my first vacation I asked if it would be weird or seem creepy if we went there. She said of course not that she was glad that I like millions of other people get to enjoy the beauty of her community. She then mentioned the same speal long term T gave. I have been to her community multiple times and have never run to each other.

[corbie]

Not my T, but staff from the day hospital place where I did a group therapy programme. On two occasions. So bizarre.

1. After maybe a month after the end of my therapy, I was heading home from volunteering in an animal shelter. Boarded a tram at the terminus in the outskirts of the city, saw a small group of people already sitting in the middle of the car, so sat with my back to them and minded my own business. Or would have, but one of the was talking in a sonorous and very familiar voice. And the things he was saying were familiar too ... so I turned to look, and indeed it was one of the nurses from that place. I tried to make eye contact, but he didn't see, or didn't recognise me, or just kept talking anyway. And it was in part about some of the crappy stuff that happened while I was there

Possible trigger:

(sui attempts, some successful)

except I wasn't sure whether it was only that, or even more crap happened since I left (I did eventually check with someone still there and thankfully it was the former). Luckily when the tram finally got moving, it was noisy enough that I could easily tune him out, but it was quite surreal.

2. One of the therapists from that place came into the store where I work, and naturally I was at the till, and of course she ended up at my till ... she ad her baby as well. I mean, it could have been worse, we just smiled each other, she asked how I am, I said something generic and then we were done. Kind of nice that she recognised me (and didn't pretend otherwise). It was still awkward.

[ArtleyWilkins]

Fairly regularly actually. We seem to shop in the same stores.

When I was in college, I worked at Burger King and my psychiatrist came in every Sunday for breakfast with his daughter. She was so cute.

My 2nd therapist was also my pastor, so we ran into each other in all sorts of non-therapy events.

I seem to have always run into my therapists in the community, so it doesn't bother me.

I get it though. I am a teacher, and it is always funny how students react when they see me out and about. Some are like all excited (yes, even high schoolers) and introduce me to their parents or friends. Others prefer to pretend they don't see me even when it is obvious they have. LOL. That's fine. Whatever works for them.

[LonesomeTonight]

I'm actually surprised that I haven't (particularly pre-pandemic) run into my current T in public, as we live within 10 miles of each other and frequent some of the same restaurants and grocery stores (we've discussed them). He's said he tends to run into a client about once a month. He warned me that if it's, say, in the grocery store, he'll likely be focused on what he's doing and sort of oblivious to his surroundings, so I may need to wave or say his name to get his attention. To not be offended if he doesn't notice me. And I'm glad he said that, because I could see myself being offended. Though if I didn't feel like saying hi to him, it also means it would likely be easy enough to just avoid his noticing me.

I saw my former marriage counselor after we'd terminated (it didn't end that well, complicated story) having coffee with a couple other T's from his practice outside the coffeeshop downstairs from my current T when I was leaving session one day (they work across the street from each other). I saw him, sort of freaked out and basically ran in the other direction, taking a very circuitous route to get to my car in the parking lot in an attempt to avoid him. Pretty sure he didn't see me. My husband ran into him once as he was going into and ex-MC was leaving a restaurant, and they basically just exchanged "Hi, how you doing's?"

[stopdog]

I was always fairly certain the woman didn't even remember my name except that it was written down in her appt book so the idea of her recognizing me outside of an appointment is not possible. I doubt I would have recognized her out of context either. We were not close.

[Amyjay]

It can be super awkward. I've run into T a few times now. Once at the park when I was walking, and she was with her partner and her dog. Another time we ended up face to face in the doctor's surgery (I guess we must use the same group practise). Another time she and her family walked past me at a local market. And the most recent time I was at a music festival and I turned around to find her standing awkwardly behind me.
Apart from the time at the Drs surgery, where we really couldn't avoid each other, I looked away and didn't acknowledge her. I hate seeing her out of the the office..

[annoyedgrunt84]

The last time I had an in person therapist she used to come into the hardware store I worked at. It was a fairly small town so she didn’t have much other choice. I guess just think about like this, your therapist has a life outside of your sessions with them. They have other clients and possibly a spouse and children. Occasionally they don’t feel like cooking and stop for Taco Bell on the way home 🙂 just like the rest of us.

[Mountaindewed]

I ran into one of my Ts at the pharmacy. She was buying toothpaste. I found out how old she was then too. I know I shouldn’t have been listening. My mom said “isn’t that your T?” And I looked over and she smiled at me.

My current T thinks running into me will be horrible. She told me if she were ever to run into me she’d just leave the store even if she was shopping with someone else. She really went on about how much it would scare her. It was kind of odd. There’s this one store I like to shop at and when I mentioned it she told me it is right by her house. I’ve been going there since before we started meeting. But she gets kind of spooked when ever I go there. So I don’t go anymore.

We also vacation in the same town but we go a week apart from each other. So no chance of us running into each other. She got spooked when I told her I go there. But I’ve been vacationing there since summer 2016.

[Shotokan]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

I ran into one of my Ts at the pharmacy. She was buying toothpaste. I found out how old she was then too. I know I shouldn’t have been listening. My mom said “isn’t that your T?” And I looked over and she smiled at me.

My current T thinks running into me will be horrible. She told me if she were ever to run into me she’d just leave the store even if she was shopping with someone else. She really went on about how much it would scare her. It was kind of odd. There’s this one store I like to shop at and when I mentioned it she told me it is right by her house. I’ve been going there since before we started meeting. But she gets kind of spooked when ever I go there. So I don’t go anymore.

We also vacation in the same town but we go a week apart from each other. So no chance of us running into each other. She got spooked when I told her I go there. But I’ve been vacationing there since summer 2016.

Did you ever ask her why she gets spooked under those conditions? You would think if anything a client would get spooked.

[Mountaindewed]

Originally Posted by Shotokan

Did you ever ask her why she gets spooked under those conditions? You would think if anything a client would get spooked.

I never asked. I try not to ask personal questions. I just figured she had her reasons. But yeah now I’m spooked as well about running into her in person and that’s partially why I’m avoiding the area.

[*Beth*]

I ran into a long-ago T in a pizza place once. We had a very close therapeutic relationship, but when we saw each other in the pizza place he acted like I was stalking him. To this day I remember how odd it felt, and how awkward.

[coolibrarian]

I've met my T several places. At first it was very weird for me, but now after all this time with her, it's 2nd nature. I once saw my ex-Pdoc in the plumbing section of Home Depot. I guess Pdocs have plumbing problems, too, lol.

[Shotokan]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

I never asked. I try not to ask personal questions. I just figured she had her reasons. But yeah now I’m spooked as well about running into her in person and that’s partially why I’m avoiding the area.

I am sorry that she is reacting this way to you. You have every right to shop wherever you want to or go vacationing at anyplace that you want to.

I think you have a right to mention how this makes you feel. This is really not good for you. I am sorry that she is reacting this way.

[Rive.]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

My current T thinks running into me will be horrible. She told me if she were ever to run into me she’d just leave the store even if she was shopping with someone else. She really went on about how much it would scare her.

What?! Wow, your T has got issues! Methinks SHE ought to be in therapy.