Multiple Therapists

[Deleted member 33880]

I know all about why we are not supposed to have more than one therapist but I am in the weirdest position of having my therapist take early retirement in the next year and I need to get a transition going to another therapist and i don't trust him to refer me as he is NHS and they are underfunded so I shall probably get group therapy and even he admits that I seriously need one to one therapy.
anyway, I don't want to be paying for therapy if I don't need to so I have been approaching various agencies who offer free therapy. I can't tell them I presently have a therapist as they won't then give me a therapist. But I need a therapist in place to help me get through this ending.
complicated or what
so I have a therapist who is doing EMDR with me and does not know that I have a therapist who I have worked with for 6 years and who is ending within a year.
If she knew, I wouldn't get the EMDR.
I also have a reduced rate e- therapist who knows all about my departing therapist. the e-therapist thinks my present T is doing a crap job at this ending business and she gives me tips about what to do about it.
And I also have the possibility of getting some free therapy through another organisation.
You may ask how I feel about lying. I don't lie. I avoid the question or I feel so terrified about losing my therapist that I FEEL I don't have a therapist, as he is leaving.
I feel I am protecting myself by trying to get another therapist lined up.
I wish I could be more honest with a real life therapist and say 'actually I need help with the ending from my current therapist' but so far that approach has just shown me the door.

 

[watundah]

If you don't mind me saying, you sound a bit on panic mode and grabbing out in too many directions. First, your T is going to be around long enough that you can still do some productive work. If you can't wrap your head around it, I would work on going through the wrap up process sooner than later and move on rather than have it impede my progress for X number of months. Secondly, I would suggest you slow down a bit, breathe, and start your search for a replacement. Take your time and get the right one.

 

[NatBird]

I can relate. I've been doing that for years. I don't think it has helped me much but the systems don't help. It's often a case of getting what you can. (For me at least)

What impact do you feel it has on your therapies?

Might sound like a no brainer or dry question - I just ask as it sounds as though you are, understandably very concerned about making sure you have support. Is it a case of weighing up that need alongside the need for the most ideal therapy situation - seeing one person one to one? Is this part of transitioning?

Dunno if that made sense...

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I don't lie. I avoid the question

Lying by omission is still lying. Not that im saying you shouldnt, was just pointing that out. I dont have an opinion either way.

Im in the States so its likey different but just be careful of free theripists. I had 4 free ones before my current paid one, all kicked me out of sessions; 2 acted on my come ons, one kicked me out for not being ready of exposure therapy, last one kicked me out for being too terrified to speak, said I wasted the hour. None knew of my actual true past.

Either way I agree that you sound like you have too many eggs in the basket to really focus. Thats what i like about my therapist, its rather focused and he gauges me well.

Maybe shedding one or more of them and trying to focus with just one would help?

 

[Deleted member 33880]

thanks guys, yes I think I am acting on panic
yes, I think focussing on just getting one to transition to would be helpful
I guess I get so upset I get all confused.