Posted by LittleGirlLost on August 25, 2005, at 11:36:08
In reply to would it be OK to see a friend's therapist?, posted by JenStar on August 25, 2005, at 0:33:59
I was faced with something similar, so I will share my experience with you.
My T was recommended by a friend of mine who was also seeing her. I was afraid at first, so this friend really helped to get the ball rolling. I began seeing the therapist, and I kinda liked having my friend to "consult" with on the T's personality and stuff. Until.... feelings became involved. Once I started having feelings in therapy, I could not stand my friend seeing MY therapist, even though she was seeing her first. I felt like a bad friend since she was gracious enough to recommend her T, but I was the one who had a problem sharing. After a while, this was eating me up inside, but I felt like such a horrible person and didn't want to say anything. I finally did though, and my T completely understood. My friend eventually stopped seeing her (not because of me), but it was still hard for me. My T and I talked about this A LOT! Oh, and I even distanced myself from this friend throughout all of this. One day, my friend was going through some really difficult things and she called T for advice, even though technically she was no longer her client. Well, my friend was so pleased that she then called me to tell me how great T was and how she helped her out. Well, I was NOT pleased, LOL and that was the last I ever spoke to her!! (Which is okay I guess, we weren't "great" friends anyway.)
I think about this situation from time to time, and wonder if she went back to her. I doubt that she did, but it still bothers me if she is. She didn't have the same issues as me and didn't see it as sharing, so I don't think she'd understand. I can honestly say that even though we are no longer in contact (my friend and I) I would have a BIG problem if she was seeing MY T. A few times I've thought about asking T this, but I don't even want to bring up the friend's name when I'm with T.
So, that's just my take. Oh, and I already told my T that I would never refer anyone to her!
lgl
poster:LittleGirlLost
thread:546388
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050824/msgs/546516.html