[del12]

A friend found out his T has an alias. He is now wondering if his T has something to hide. Wondering how he should handle this. He asked if I would post this question.

[hangingon]

I guess it depends on how your friend found the information as to whether or not he should bring it up to his T.

I had a psychology professor in college who had changed her last name due to someone continuing to harrass her. She also has a private practice. So if it were due to something like that, then I would understand.

[imapatient]

Originally Posted by del12

A friend found out his T has an alias. He is now wondering if his T has something to hide. Wondering how he should handle this. He asked if I would post this question.

What do you mean by "alias?" Where, context, on-line, ????????

[del12]

Originally Posted by imapatient

What do you mean by "alias?" Where, context, on-line, ????????

His T had a previous name and chaged it to something else before comining a therapist. First and Last name

If I found this out about my T, I would DEFINITELY ask him about it. I have a good friend who changed her name - not because she had something to hide, but because there were things in her family of origin that she wanted to leave completely behind her. So, I wouldn't immediately assume it was something to be concerned about - but I would definitely ask...

[madisgram]

hi deli i'm a bit mystified how your friend obtained this sort of info altho it is public. did u ask hm how he found out?
if it is definteily true, then if it were me, i'd ask the T. he is is under no obligation to explain but hopeully it's one of the reasons stated here.

[del12]

he said he found it when he was looking on a site that lists Therapists and any possible complaints. I think he is having second thoughts about his T because he keeps asking about how my T works. He said the T changed its name from a fairly common name to a more unique name and it was when his T lived in a different city. I thought it was strange and I don't think I would be comfortable asking. I have such trust issues personally I would be questioning the integrity of the T, but thats just me. I don't know how my friend really feels, I would assume he is a bit uncomfortable since he brought it up. OF course my curiosity peaked and I thought I would throw it out to you all.

[madisgram]

del i can think of some not so good reasons a person would change their name. but when one does, they must give a full reason to a judge before it can be done. i still feel asking is a good thing. can't hurt if there's nothing to hide. can help if there is. course the T isn't gonna admit that tho.

[hangingon]

Del
In that case, it would be something that I would definately look into. My last psychology teacher informed us of the state online site where we can look to see if a therapist has anything against him. She also mentioned that sometimes therapist move along to different states after changing the name ect to avoid issues in their last state.
I am not sure why your friends therapist did it. But there is usually a state board online where you can write to to see if they have any discrepencies against them. I would encourge him to look into that, the therapist doesn't even have to know that your friend is checking into that.

You can look on that board for disciplinary matters regarding the T or write complaints about a T. You can also check to see if the T is officially licensed under verifications using the therapist's name.
Here is the site where I live, but each state will have one.
http://dhmh.state.md.us/bopc/

Hope that helps
Hangingon

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by del12

His T had a previous name and chaged it to something else before comining a therapist. First and Last name

This doesn't sound like an alias to me. He legally changed his name and now goes by the new name. An alias is when you go by a name that isn't yours. I have known people who changed their names legally simply because they didn't like them. I think your friend should ask the T if it is bothering him.