I was just wondering whether seeing more than one T at a time (who wont work together/discuss me amongst themselves) is a good idea?? From reading ppl's posts it seems that u tend to have just the one, or 2 who work together on different parts.

I currently see a T privately as the waiting list in the UK is hideously long. Feel guilty as my parents r paying for it. Only had 3 sessions and dont rly know if it will help (how do u *know* u r moving 4ward??) My dad has a counselling service with his work and he wants me to try them (4-6 sessions, free) and my mum wants me to see this grp that helps young ppl with mental health probs, who also offer free counselling.

Anyway, i'm rambling. I guess i just want to know if seeing more than 1 T at a time will help in ur opinion/experience, or if i would just end up repeating stuff or avoiding forming a relationship with any one of them??
Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks

*Willow*

From what I understand, seeing more than one T at a time is usually frowned upon.

I do have two people that I see - but one is acting as a spiritual guide/teacher/mentor and the other is my therapist. They are both therapists, but Teacher T is not doing therapy with me. And they DO consult with each other....

I'm glad that you have so many possible sources of support. Three sessions with a T is not very much....you are still in the "getting to know each other" stage. Do you feel like this T is someone you can connect with??

For me, the only way I really know I am moving forward in T is looking BACK at where I was when I started, or a few months ago, or whatever. It's hard for me to see the progress I'm making while I'm wading through the muck.

(((((((((((((((((((((((Willow)))))))))))))))))))))))))

I do see 2 T's. Both for therapy on the same issues. One is more trauma focused, and the other helps me with my cognitive processes. The one T is the mentor for my other T - having done her supervision for licensure.
I think it works well when the T's work TOGETHER so they are on the same page and so you are not repeating yourself.

Originally Posted by earthmama

I'm glad that you have so many possible sources of support.

Yes, I'm lucky that my parents are so supportive of me. Not everyone has that...

*Willow*

[deliquesce]

i don't think there is anything wrong with it, but i'd encourage you to let all your Ts know that you are consulting other people. if they have a problem with it, then that's their problem, not yours. but it would be useful for them to know each other's details, in case they want to consult someone on it. e.g. my T and my pdoc work over the same sort of things, but i find their different styles helpful. but sometimes when i am in crisis, it's useful for them to check in with each other and devise a plan together. i don't think they've spoken to each other about me often - maybe 2-3 times and i've been seeing them for 2 years.

[phoenix7]

as others have mentioned, i think its ok if the T's work together - if you feel the "paid" t is not getting you anywhere - maybe you could take a break - try the other services and then go back if they dont work ? just a thought. P7

[sunrise]

It sounds like you are in the early stages of finding a therapist. Maybe just consider this phase a "testing out" phase and that you haven't really chosen your final T. I think it would be OK to try out the counselor your Dad suggested and see if that person is a good fit and compare to the person you've done 3 sessions with. Also consider that if they are pretty much equivalently helpful, maybe choosing the one with the lowest fee would be appreciated by your parents, who are paying. All other things being equal... It is really nice of you to consider that.

I'm not sure what a grp is that your mother suggested. Does that mean a group? If it is a group, that doesn't necessarily duplicate the services of an individual therapist, so I wouldn't see any conflict there.

I see a therapist for individual therapy, a PNP, and a family therapist every few weeks for joint sessions with my daughter. I don't have any trouble or conflicts with these three providers. I see the PNP once per month for meds, but she is also a therapist, and sometimes we spend longer talking about issues in my life and she bills me for a therapy session instead of just a meds consult. I'm OK with that. She provides something different from my regular therapist. And if I need the extra support, I'm glad she can be flexible and provide it. She's female and my regular T is male. The dynamic is different. Different people can be helpful, but it might be good for you to bond first with one main provider and then see if you need additional services (group therapy, for example).

I think you are really articulate and it sounds like you have a really good attitude towards therapy. I hope you get the help and support you need and have a good experience in therapy.

[kim_johnson]

yeah, does sound like you are still working out a good relationship with a therapist.

there is a concern that if you see two different therapists they might work at cross purposes and kind of undermine each other.

i think... that most people get two parents... and while it is possible that they might work at cross purposes and kind of undermine each other... that that doesn't necessarily follow... people adjust to different contingencies (e.g., some things are okay to do round mum but not dad and vice versa). thats life, i think.

i worked with two therapists for a time. T2 didn't know about T1 but T1 knew about T2. I really... wanted to do therapy properly with T2 but T2 could only see me once every fortnight. T1 could see me every week but was a little concerned about my having access to a p-doc and T2 was a p-doc. she said i needed to tell him... but i couldn't / didn't. was too scared that he would terminate me.

i was really attached to him. i never... managed to attach to her. maybe that was a function of my already having attached to him. might be that attachment for two therapists would be harder... though... after some time T2 terminated me and i continued working with T1... i felt a little more attached... but never really very.

i don't know.

probably will be different for different people depending on the nature of the attachment issues...