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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rnny on April 8, 2010, at 17:32:06
Is there an implied consent for a T to bring up any subject or do they need to ask permission?
I was just reading an online book and it said that in doing an assessment the T should always ask the patient "permission" to discuss their sex life. Isn't permission kind of assumed to be given if you are already answering questions? Why would this be singled out compared to other stuff. I am not trying to be crude or bring up subject matter that is of poor taste or just brought up to encourage others to think of anything lewd that might make them or others feel out of place. If a T said to me " and now I would like to ask your permission to discuss your sex life" I wouldn't find it necessary. Polite, but not necessary. I might even giggle! I think there is an implied consent for a T to bring up anything as long as it is done in good faith. Am I wrong?
Posted by mystickangaroo on April 9, 2010, at 7:04:26
In reply to Is there an implied consent for a therapist to, posted by rnny on April 8, 2010, at 17:32:06
Hi Rnmy
When I as in the getting to know you phase of therapy my T was explaining boundaries ~ the what we can talk about here sort of stuff and she mentioned that sex could be part of the conversation. And that the conversations could be quite initmate but only as a theraputic tool. That she was not going to cross any ethical boundaries and had these conversations with all her clients. So don't panic and to let her know if (when!!) I feel uncomfortable.
It was strange at the time but there have been times when there has been a sexual dimension to what I have wanted to talk aobut and her saying all that early on has made life a bit easier for me. I don't feel like I have to hide that part of me from her. Nor do I think I have to display it either...
I think it is a respectful thing to do ~ to ask permission to talk about stuff. For me who worships authority so easily it is a gift. It reminds me I have a choice and that my T respects me enough to ask.
Posted by sassyfrancesca on April 9, 2010, at 10:02:57
In reply to Re: Is there an implied consent for a therapist to, posted by mystickangaroo on April 9, 2010, at 7:04:26
The idea in therapy is that the CLIENT talks about whatever she/he wants to....it is about YOU and NOT what the t might want to discuss.
Sassy
Posted by pegasus on April 9, 2010, at 12:59:14
In reply to Is there an implied consent for a therapist to, posted by rnny on April 8, 2010, at 17:32:06
I've never had a T ask permission per se to talk about sex. My experience has more been with the T saying something like, "How's your sex life these days?" And then letting me get away with saying just "good" if that's as far as I wanted to go.
I did kinda like the idea of mystickangaroo's T explaining boundaries, including talk about sex, early on. It's not exactly asking permission, but it is opening up the subject in a way that potentially makes it easier for the client to bring it up if they want to.
peg
Posted by mystickangaroo on April 9, 2010, at 17:08:14
In reply to Re: Is there an implied consent for a therapist to » mystickangaroo, posted by sassyfrancesca on April 9, 2010, at 10:02:57
Hi Sassy
I have a lot of rules in my head about what I can and can't do. Talking about sex and sexuality would be on the NO list!
What my T did was show me a blind spot, acknowledge its existence and how tricky it is for me, be very clear with her boundaries and motivation, let me know that she was not scared to go there and that where I went with that information was up to me but she would not ignore it.
Nor would she keep bringing it up all the time. As you said ~ it is up to me what we talk about but if she has a sense that there is a sexual aspect to what I am saying she is not going to shy away from it.
Whilst it is not an easy thought, I do like the idea that my T is really listening to me. Actively listening. Otherwise I could stay home and talk to my dog. A good listener but he has a great deal of difficulty communicating his insights. That is what I pay my T for.
I can't dance. But when I waltz with an experienced dancer I can. We both hear the music and he can only lead where I am willing (and able) to go. that is therapy for me.
Posted by Dinah on April 10, 2010, at 8:12:55
In reply to Is there an implied consent for a therapist to, posted by rnny on April 8, 2010, at 17:32:06
My therapist would be more subtle than that, but he does generally make it known when he raises an uncomfortable topic that I'm free to reject the topic.
Mind you, my therapist is very nondirective. Annoyingly so at times. He generally allows me to raise topics. However, at the beginning of therapy I'm pretty sure he made sure to ask about all sorts of uncomfortable things so that I knew he was ok talking about it. And maybe to get a general idea about my level of functioning in various stages of life.
Posted by rnny on April 10, 2010, at 18:11:51
In reply to Re: Is there an implied consent for a therapist to » rnny, posted by Dinah on April 10, 2010, at 8:12:55
My old T and I never talked about sex because I have no sex life! But once and only once she did say, "so, how is your sex life" and I said "what sex life"?
This is the end of the thread.
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