![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by widget on February 6, 2007, at 12:36:00
Does anybody know when a psychiatist/therapitst seeks supervision? My psychiatrist has and I'm trying to figure out if he just cannot figure me out or perhaps hasn't had enough experience. I know he rarely does this.
Posted by one woman cine on February 6, 2007, at 12:43:28
In reply to When therapist should seek supervision, posted by widget on February 6, 2007, at 12:36:00
Supervision is a good option if the person has little experience - if they are having trouble with countertransference or issues regarding their own professional position - but it sounds like maybe instead of supervision - he actually means "consultation" -
in which he sends you to someone else for a session to get another perspective on what might posiible be wrong - ususally the supervision is for the professional and the consult is for you.
hope that all made sense. :)
Posted by widget on February 6, 2007, at 13:39:32
In reply to Re: When therapist should seek supervision, posted by one woman cine on February 6, 2007, at 12:43:28
I understand what you are saying. However, my psychiatrist has had over 30 years of experience and has told me he has had many cases involving transference. I have been in therapy with him for 3 l/2 years and developed intense erotic feelings for him about 8 months ago. This was revealed to him about 4 months ago. He was very kind and supportive, explaining that he was flattered and humbled by my feelings but this was not an option he could ever follow. After about 4 more sessions, he asked his analyst from long ago for supervision regarding my case. He revealed only that transference was extremely important and he wanted to get it right. He had not talked to this person for many years. So, why now? I know he seemed more comfortable after this but am confused about what it means. I guess I should be flattered that he cares enough to try for a good outcome. It makes me wonder if I am a particularly hard case.
Posted by one woman cine on February 6, 2007, at 13:48:41
In reply to Re: When therapist should seek supervision, posted by widget on February 6, 2007, at 13:39:32
No, not that its particularly hard or you are particularly - but even long standing professionals will enter supervision if they are having countertransference issues (which can have nothing to do with *you* but perhaps what *you* are representing internally for them) - it's kinda like therapy for them. Thise countertransference issues could be anything - that comes up for him.
He sounds like he is doing the right by taking the initiative for going to get supervision.
Don't worry, good professionals get supervision. It's not so uncommon as one might think.
Posted by sunnydays on February 6, 2007, at 17:47:16
In reply to Re: When therapist should seek supervision, posted by widget on February 6, 2007, at 13:39:32
I would be more worried if he didn't get supervision and was having trouble. Supervision is a good idea - I think a lot of therapists leave themselves that option. It's good for him to deal with any countertransference he might be having without involving you.
sunnydays
Posted by Daisym on February 6, 2007, at 18:00:59
In reply to Re: When therapist should seek supervision » widget, posted by sunnydays on February 6, 2007, at 17:47:16
I wouldn't immediately assume it is a counter-transference issue. Many insurance companies encourage, if not require, a therapist to have supervision or consultation around cases that move into potential problematic (for the insurance company) areas. The list includes all kinds of things but common are working with clients who have experienced csa, who threaten suicide, etc. The idea being that you are prepared for a law suit, and/or to help prevent burn out, which can turn into disability/worker's comp cases. I think this is why therapist support groups are popular as well.
My therapist tells me that he finds supervision very useful and he has always utilized it since he started his practice.
I wouldn't read more into it than what he told you. Have you asked him what he gained by talking about your case? This might be helpful to you because it sounds like it is really bothering you. Try to remind yourself that you have a 3+ year history with this therapist and he hasn't found you too "hard" yet. :)
Posted by Dinah on February 6, 2007, at 18:30:47
In reply to When therapist should seek supervision, posted by widget on February 6, 2007, at 12:36:00
My therapist has sought supervision over my therapy. I didn't take it particularly personally. I think good therapists seek supervision to make sure that they're helping the client as best they can. I was glad that he thought of our therapy outside the therapy hour and wanted to make sure he was on the right track.
On the other hand, I'm not sure it was particularly helpful of him to tell me so, even though it was well after the fact, since I immediately began pestering him over exactly what it was that he discussed about me. He answered in what seemed like a forthright manner, and was rather soothing, but that wasn't very specific either. :)
Posted by allisonf on February 6, 2007, at 19:45:01
In reply to When therapist should seek supervision, posted by widget on February 6, 2007, at 12:36:00
I agree with what everyone else has said. I think it shows that your T is being very responsible by seeking supervision. I agree with Dinah though that I'm not sure how helpful it is to mention it to the client, b/c of all these things that come out of it. But I do think that it is a very common occurance! It is really good that your T is concerned enough about the whole situation to make sure he is doing right by you.
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 7, 2007, at 8:57:15
In reply to Re: When therapist should seek supervision, posted by allisonf on February 6, 2007, at 19:45:01
Widget,
that sounds really difficult.I think your T is trying to do the best job possible, and I believe him when he says that this kind of transferance is significant and that he wants to get it right.
Even though he has 30+ years experience, he's also able to see your case as something new and fresh. If you're a challenge, he is DEFINITELY up for it.
It's not a bad thing to be a challenging case. You might occupy more space in his mind than he's accustomed to, and he might be worried that it's affecting his performance.
Another possibility is that he has had LOTS of experience with this kind of transferrance, yet maybe wants to get a new perspective (like continuing education).
I would be very encouraged by the fact that you have been able to reveal these feelings towards him. It says a lot for your healthy working relationship that you can do that, and ALSO says a lot that he cares enough about the relationship to get another's perspective.
keep up the good [hard!] work,
-Ll
Posted by muffled on February 7, 2007, at 12:36:56
In reply to When therapist should seek supervision, posted by widget on February 6, 2007, at 12:36:00
My T got me to sign to get further asessed. She also said she talk to other T in practice. I thot she was trying to dump me. But I guess she wasn't. She just wanted more info I guess. I think thats a good thing. But she can't talk to noboddy unless I sign paper first.
Muffled
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Psychology | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.