Do you tell your Therapist about this site?

[Freida]

Yep. Her response? "its about damn time" :laugh:

She has wanted me in a support group since day one and I flat out refused. So when I finally got involved in this one she was ecstatic. She likes that it is anonymous because that allows me to be more honest when I talk (shocking I know :laugh:)

We talk quite a bit about what I'm blathering on about while I'm here - it's a good way to keep track of my thoughts since my brain is basically a ping pong ball on crack. She also wants my reactions to the responses I get. We don't necessarily talk about what people here are saying but more about how I react to what people say to me -- if that makes sense.

And ya - I've wondered if she would come here and figure me out - but considering she's going to hear most of it anyway it really doesn't matter I guess. :) Plus she's a busy woman - I doubt she has time to cyber stalk me on a site with thousands of people. :laugh:

 

[Lionheart]

Yes, I have been here for 10 years and have shared this site with a few different therapists and each one had a positive response. I don't tell them the name of the site or my screen name, but I don't really think they would take the time to look me up or become a member here and read my online journal/diary. Even if they did the stuff I post in my journal is my truth so I don't really fear it that much. I will admit tho that I rather they didn't come to this site, but for mostly selfish reasons. I feel like this is a site for peer to peer therapy etc. and I would like to keep it that way. However, having said that I am proud to be a member of this site as it chronicles personal growth and healing.

 

[Skywatcher]

Yes. A few years ago I was on a different online peer support site and made some of my most supportive ptsd friends via pm. Some of those relationships became conflicted and I actually needed my therapist’s help in dealing with it. When I discovered this site, I let my therapist know about it as well. I’m pretty sure that she doesn’t read my posts though I have screen shotted some threads to show her. She once told me that it is illegal for therapists to go following us around online. The focus should be based on what I want her to know during our one on one session each week.

 

[Wendell_R]

Yes, I've told my therapist and in session we have looked at some of my posts. Since I had some highly dysfunctional acting out online in the past, we needed to be careful that this was a safe place for me (it is!!). I also talk about my interactions and posts in my journal, which I share weekly with my therapist. She gives me suggestions (I remember her encouraging me to post more about what my Littles were feeling, for example).

We both really like that everything here is public, that it has a great & supportive vibe, and that I've made some good friends here. I've looked for real-life support groups in my area, and I haven't found anything that is a good fit. Myptsd is the best that I've found, and it complements my therapy well.

 

[desiderata310]

My therapist knows and occasionally asks if I am still on the site. He has the follow through of a 3 year old with ADHD though so he’s never actually BEEN to the site.
Needless to say he approves

 

[loui50]

Apparently I’m just full of new threads today.

I got triggered, I’m trying really hard to work through it before therapy on Monday.

Last week when I struggled, Therapist asked me if I asked for help from anyone or used my supports. I lied because I didn’t want to tell him about this place and just said No.

This week, in his email reply, he specifically reminded me to use my supports. And I did! I asked for help here (no one locally could help with this stuff like you guys can).

For Monday’s appointment, I’m debating sharing my journal from when I got triggered. I’m also planning on working through the questions and suggestions from my other thread in my journal. I feel like if Therapist reads that he’ll know I didn’t come up with all those questions on my own.

I’ve never told him about this site. I’m convinced he’d come here and figure out my username or something, read my journal. I know that’s crazy for several reasons.

I’m curious if others have told their therapist about this site and if so, how did they react?

The suggestions in my thread are helpful, just thinking through them before I even write it all out. I know it would be beneficial for Therapist and I to talk through it too, it’s just a matter of how I accomplish that, lol.

I have told my therapist about the sight. I have not told her the name of the sight. I have the same fear you do that she would find me and read my posts. She is very supportive of me using this sight and tells me to keep doing it.

 

[Gs172003]

My therapist knows and occasionally asks if I am still on the site. He has the follow through of a 3 year old with ADHD though so he’s never actually BEEN to the site.
Needless to say he approves

Lol on the follow through part...

My therapist is the same way but in her defense she actually HAS a three year old..

 

[The Albatross]

When I had a shrink, he was fine with it after looking it over.

 

[Mach123]

I'd say mr therapist doesn't approve overall. With the journaling she does and that's what it is for me mostly and the things I've learned from reading posts by others.

But she won't read my stuff which I thought I wanted originally. Then I was worried about her reading it. So now occasionally I read it to her off my phone but in general, the journaling is very personal and reading her things or bringing a list in doesn't work for me.

 

[Ronin]

Not concretely this site, she just knows I use peer groups b/c both experience & language gap / cultural issues.

 

[FauxLiz]

I have told my T that I belong to an online support group but that is as far as I am willing to discuss it. Probably all a part of my compartmentalizing thing in my life but I don't feel that they need to now what I am doing on here. I have read some of my posts to him in session but only off of my phone nothing printed and don't intend to change that. I told my previous T and he was very supportive but I never felt like the staff I worked with while inpatient were, they really pushed for me to find IRL supports rather than online.

 

[Muttly]

Yep, I told my therapist. I've shared content of my posts and responses with her and she thinks this site offers a lot of good support. As @Sideways has mentioned, she's also served as a reality check for responses when they maybe don't match up with my actual life circumstances.