[jamminpianogirl]

I'm about to start therapy at home for the summer (I was seeing a counselor at school before). I live in a rural area so there aren't too many options. My psychiatrist, doctor, and anyone else I've talked to all seem to agree there's one therapist who stands out from the rest and specializes in my condition and age group. However, she's an old friend's mom. I'm not friends with the person anymore, she's somebody I might say hi to occasionally if we cross paths but thats it. The therapist is someone I was vaguely acquainted to but thats it - and she's acquainted with my mom too. What I'm wondering is, would it be a bad idea to go to a therapist if I'm familiar with her and her daughter, and they kind of know my mom too? She seems like the best option around so I'm considering it but I'm not sure if maybe I should just get one of the other therapists who is a complete stranger.

[chaotic13]

Can you go for the first session and start with this issue? There is a chance that this won't be as much of a problem as you think. If she specializes in your condition, it might be worth at least going to one appointment.

[Razzleberry]

I agree - try one or two sessions and see if you are comfortable talking to this person.

It could actually be a good thing that she knows you, even just as an acquaintance - she may know your background and know how best to help you.

Just so you know - confidentiality rules prevent her from talking to anyone about what you say in therapy, so don't worry about things spreading to your mom.

[PsyChris]

I agree with everyone else. It can't hurt to talk to her. She sounds like a good therapist so confidentiality should not be a problem. I think you will feel better about this when you hear it from her.

[chaotic13]

Also, if this issue does turn out to be a conflict that could interfere with her treating you she, being a specialist, in your condition may be in a better position to refer you to someone else. She may know her colleagues and their strengthens and weaknesses better than you pdoc or MD.

[InsaneMax]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
jamminpianogirl said:
I'm about to start therapy at home for the summer (I was seeing a counselor at school before). I live in a rural area so there aren't too many options. My psychiatrist, doctor, and anyone else I've talked to all seem to agree there's one therapist who stands out from the rest and specializes in my condition and age group. However, she's an old friend's mom. I'm not friends with the person anymore, she's somebody I might say hi to occasionally if we cross paths but thats it. The therapist is someone I was vaguely acquainted to but thats it - and she's acquainted with my mom too. What I'm wondering is, would it be a bad idea to go to a therapist if I'm familiar with her and her daughter, and they kind of know my mom too? She seems like the best option around so I'm considering it but I'm not sure if maybe I should just get one of the other therapists who is a complete stranger.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

<font color="blue">NO. This is not okay. Especially if she knows your mother, and you are living in a small town... all sorts of red flags here. Check out bordering towns directories of psychologists. Best of luck~~ </font>

[ECHOES]

I think contacting her and talking this over with her would be the way to get it sorted out. It's a vague kind of acquaintance, it sounds like. She may be prevented from seeing someone she knows even slighty and she may be free to make that distinction and decision for herself. Give her a call and see what she has to say.

Good luck!

I don't think it is the greatest idea in the world, but your psychological health is obviously more important and if this is only option, or the best option by far, then you should probably just open up by discussing the issues with her before you even get into anything deeper.

[sidony]

Hey, that's a tough question. My gut feeling is that it would not be a good idea to go to someone you know at all. At least for me, I think I'd find it upsetting if my T had any connections at all to anyone I knew even vaguely. My T was recommended by a psychologist friend -- she never even met him but had heard of him through her network -- and even that bothered me a little bit. It just feels safer if it's somehow completely separate from everything you know. At least to me. So that's my two cents... Good luck!

Sidony