Posted by yellowbird01 on September 11, 2009, at 14:39:04
In reply to Isn't this a three way relationship?, posted by jane d on September 11, 2009, at 5:37:38
I only have a quick minute to respond right now but wanted to write a quick reply..
I dont think I explained my job/role in relation to my clients very well. Without more information, Jane, I completely see what you mean and how my post must have sounded! I do work in social work, but the nature of my job is such that my interactions with clients are typically very short-term and are not meant to be therapeutic. I do some referrals to services (anything from therapy to housing etc) but building trust and rapport isnt something we focus on much. Child welfare type stuff, definitely not therapy. For that reason, I havent worried much about the impact of this weird tri-relationship on the person I am working with. After ensuring this person follows through with the initial appt and all is settled, I wont have any further contact with this person, and very likely will not have any contact with my ex-therapist regarding this person either. I hope that makes sense... I absolutely see the point you were making.
Ex-T and I are actually playing phone tag so we havent actually caught up with each other yet. I do plan to comment on the awkwardness of the situation, but I dont plan to say much more than that. I think it's important (for me anyway) to make a complete seperation, even in our conversation, between Sally-my-ex-therapist and Sally-my-colleague. Sally isnt her real name of course. Due to the place where my ex-T works, and her position there, I think we both always knew this situation would come up. Honestly, I'm surprised it took this long. I wasnt working at the job I'm at now when I began seeing her, or I'd have chosen someone else, but I think it will work out fine for all involved.
poster:yellowbird01
thread:916244
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090907/msgs/916512.html