Psycho-Babble Social Thread 1244

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Relationship between therapist and pdoc

Posted by shellie on October 17, 2000, at 23:25:53

It's interesting to me the thought of seeing the same person for meds and therapy. I never have, and am used to having both a psychopharmocologist for meds and a psychologist for therapy. I feel like I get a larger support system this way.

I have had some issues with my therapist in the past year or so, about having conversations with my pdoc. She talks about the possiblity of splitting. But I never have gotten confused about who was my therapist and there is nothing I tell my pdoc that I haven't or wouldn't tell my therapist. I used to like it when they talked (it sort of made me feel important). More recently, however, I feel like it puts me in the child position and I resent it (like two parents who are deciding what is best for a child). And since growing up is a real issue for me, it feels ironic for them to push me back into a childish role. If I had a brain tumor, yes, I would want all my doctors to consult because that would be out of my realm of understanding. But this is not brain surgery. At this point, I feel that I should not be left out of the loop. So, as an alternative, I would have no problem with a three way conference call, or two way when I am in a session with my therapist. But that hasn't happened.

So we now have a rule that I cannot veto a conversation, but I have the right to know that a conversation is going to happen and afterwards, the content of the conversation. So far, I have found the conversations between them has not really had a positive impact on either my therapy or my medication direction.

I'm curious to know other's take on this. Shellie

Re: Relationship between therapist and pdoc

Posted by ksvt on October 18, 2000, at 22:12:13

In reply to Relationship between therapist and pdoc, posted by shellie on October 17, 2000, at 23:25:53

> It's interesting to me the thought of seeing the same person for meds and therapy. I never have, and am used to having both a psychopharmocologist for meds and a psychologist for therapy. I feel like I get a larger support system this way.
>
>
> I have had some issues with my therapist in the past year or so, about having conversations with my pdoc. She talks about the possiblity of splitting. But I never have gotten confused about who was my therapist and there is nothing I tell my pdoc that I haven't or wouldn't tell my therapist. I used to like it when they talked (it sort of made me feel important). More recently, however, I feel like it puts me in the child position and I resent it (like two parents who are deciding what is best for a child). And since growing up is a real issue for me, it feels ironic for them to push me back into a childish role. If I had a brain tumor, yes, I would want all my doctors to consult because that would be out of my realm of understanding. But this is not brain surgery. At this point, I feel that I should not be left out of the loop. So, as an alternative, I would have no problem with a three way conference call, or two way when I am in a session with my therapist. But that hasn't happened.
>
> So we now have a rule that I cannot veto a conversation, but I have the right to know that a conversation is going to happen and afterwards, the content of the conversation. So far, I have found the conversations between them has not really had a positive impact on either my therapy or my medication direction.
>
> I'm curious to know other's take on this. Shellie

Shellie - I think I just lost what I tried to post so here goes again and I hope this isn't redundant. I'm in a similar situation altho it's a bit different since my pdoc used to be my therapist so he's got alot of background which I think has been helpful to my current therapist. My guess is that the benefits to you of these communications are indirect and the benefits to them more immediate and direct. I'm sure it's helpful to have the perspective of someone else who knows you in a little different way. If you view this as more for their benefit than for yours, maybe it will be easier to take. I can count on my therapist to be very honest with me about what was discussed with my pdoc, so if I want that information, it's there for the asking. Imho it would enhance the "I feel like a child" feeling if I participated in their telephone conversations because I don't think I would be on equal footing. Does this bother you because you think they're being less than candid about what's going on in these conversations? That raises a different issue altogether. ksvt

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