[sunrise]

Today was the first meeting with the family therapist. I found him easy to talk to and was able to get out quite a bit of important information to him in our hour. I think from my prior experience in therapy, I have good "talking to the therapist" skills and he didn't have to twist my arm to get information. I was forthcoming. It only helps me and my daughter if he gets the story. He took A LOT of notes. This is unlike my T, who takes none. He agrees there is something important to work on here, in the relationship with my daughter. I will bring her with me to therapy next time, in two weeks. He has a lot of experience working with this type of problem and working with adolescents. He gave me hope he could help us! It is so important to have hope.

Now I just have to hope she will agree to come to therapy with me. I have to plan out how I will ask her so I don't blow it. She's out of town right now, so I have a little time.

I am so glad I finally did this!!!

[chaotic13]

That sounds great.

[Kiya]

huh! What are your ideas on how to ask her?

[little*rhino]

bribery.

im so happy this new T sounds like a good fit sunrise!

[sunrise]

Thanks, chaotic, kiya, and candika.

I don't know how I will ask my daughter. The therapist had some good ideas on how to do it, but I didn't write them down and of course forgot them once I was out of his office.

I think this guy is good. The first session went as well as I could have hoped. It makes me wonder about finding new therapists, and the last few people I have found have been from recommendations from my own trusted T. He recommended the therapist for my daughter, this new family therapist, and the child specialist to work with my girls. They have all been good! So I am becoming convinced the best way to find a T is by personal recommendation from someone knowledgeable about the local mental health community.

I also had thoughts about connection with this guy. I don't really have a desire to connect with him deeply. I just want him to help me and my daughter solve our problems. I think he is "good enough" and I don't want more. It feels a little strange to me--like no way would I want a deep connection with this guy because I have a pre-existing, intensely connected relationship with my own therapist. I can only do that with one therapist at a time! There would be something almost polygamous about being strongly attached to 2 T's at the same time. I wonder if that is why you are not supposed to work with 2 T's at the same time?--because it impedes connection/attachment?