Experience seeing 2 Therapists

[Fleur]

I'm seeing Community Social Worker weekly - have been for over 12 months
male friend recommended a Psychologist who I saw last week for 1st time
Psych will work on different issues; said to tell so I did - but now Social Worker says it has to be 1 or other
Her reasoning is that I.ll be confused seeing both
Does anyone who has worked on separate aspects with 2 Therapists simultaneously feel able to share please?

[ladysslipper]

I was seeing two t's at one time for about a year. I think it is p to you and what works for you. If you are getting beneficial help from both of them then do it. If at some point you find it to be to confusing you can always stop seeing one of them.
I think it crazy for a t to say it is one or the other becuase it is to confusing. Waht a condesending comment.
We are not stupid and helpless. We have all done very well for ourselves afterall we are survivors. I sometimes think the t's feel threatend and dont want you seeing two t's because the other one is competition.
I did eventually cut back to seeing just my t that specializes in trauma simply becuase I was not getting anything beneficail out of my first t. She really wasnt helping me anymore and at one point broke my trust with her by doubting me. It was time for me to quit seeing her. Have not seen her since and really have no desire to.

[Fleur]

Thanks Ladyslipper
It felt as though she were wanting to control me though she denies it. Have seen Psychologist twice now and have 3rd session booked next month
I'm to see 1st (Social Worker) on Tues. Fortunately they are both trauma specialists
Glad you've continued making progress - including having 2 therapists in your life
Thanks for sharing

[ladysslipper]

I would have to agree with you that it would feel like the sw was trying to control you. I dont know what it is like where you live but here in the US we would never see a social worker for therapy. Socail workers are not therapists and therapist are not social workers. They both have very different and distinctive roles here. Social workers make sure your needs are being met and help you get the services you need while t's do the counseling with you.
If the SW still take issue with you seeing both I would ask her in what way she thinks it would confuse you if you are working on different issues with t then her. Also the sw worker needs to give you some credit you are not stupid and can think for yourself. If it does get to a point that you are getting confused you can always stop seeing one of them.

[Fleur]

Thought I would update this thread - in case it might assist anyone else

The Social Worker is still seen regularly. I have not mentioned that I also see Psycholgist roughly every 6 weeks

SW is used to tease out daily living issues - and when old stuff arises. She helps identify what is going on

Psych has given me lots of hints to deal with the scattered thoughts, feelings. A really simple technique is to push with both feet as though I were trying to get to the ground below, telling myself the current place, year and my age. When I do this early in the swirling thoughts cycle, it breaks through the chatter and helps me be adult about whatever is happing

For a while, I painted in SW sessions, which was both aid and distractor. We have had occasional sand play

Music has helped in Psych sessions

......

In October, I attended a residential week intensive which was challenging but really usefull to get out a load of stuff safely without having to face society afterwards - well, not for a full six days! It was a luxury ill afforde - but sooo revealing, still feeling benefits of the hard work and releasing tears

Thanks also to the many lovely people here who support and assist by sharing openly

[FrumSurvivor]

Hi Fleur - I've been to a number of professionals, and now seeing two simultaneously. Tip: PLEASE do yourself a favor and have the two of them keep in touch with each other! Otherwise, things can get really confusing, and they might tell you opposite advice or diagnosises.
But yeah - it is discombobulating seeing two at once. It's hard.
But at the same time, it's good to work with two people who are each very experienced in one particular area - it's a lot better than one who has a little knowledge in both areas.
Anyhow, I know how hard it is! And I feel for you.
Wishing you lots of luck,

[Fleur]

Thank you FrumSurvivor for your post

[FrumSurvivor]

Glad to be of help, Fleur