Two Trauma Specialists/is That Normal Or Okay?

[Dragonfly-Dawn]

Hello Everyone!!

I sincerely hope you are all doing okay and if not that please except hugs from me if you are comfortable with that!! I am sending my love. xx

Okay so I have recently been put in to a very strange situation and I can not find much online about how to navigate through this.

I have been in therapy with one trauma specialist for three years, I entered right after I had been sexually assaulted. It was brutal and I was traveling in a different country so scary. I had been in therapy for a year and half when things became too intense and I called my therapist saying I couldn't stay here on this planet, where I am just going to have to watch everyone I love be hurt and die. I was literally freaking out and very suicidal. I went to the the hospital for the very first time and the doctors were very kind and scheduled me to see a psychiatrist. However as I was being discharged I got a call informing my that my brother of 37 years died tragically and suddenly in an accident. I was devastated. I very quickly got diagnosed with PTSD and major depressive disorder and they are looking into dissociative disorders now. I wish it ended there. A week after my grandma went into the hospital and quickly declined. The hosiptal and courts declared my mother unfit to care for my grandma and although I have an uncle who could also do it everyone stepped down and said they wanted no part in it. So I was appointed her decision maker. At this time I had lost my brother for only a couple weeks and I was also responsible in looking after his three young kids while his sister in law went to school for a job. I was the one who made decisions that lead to my grandmas death and it was very hard. So I had a lot on my plate. Dealt with a lot of suicidal feeling and PTSD and grief that turned into complicated grief. So this is what I have been working on although there is a lot in my childhood such as sexual abuse and neglect.

Currently my therapist told me that if I told him I had any suicidal intentions and told him about it than he would drop me as a client. I didn't know what to do. He took my safety and threatened me with it saying I would lose it if I felt this way again. I felt I couldn't meet his expectations no matter how much I desire to. So I started looking for extra help. I found a second Trauma Therapist after a month or so and decided to meet with her. She was amazing and really helpful. She kept me in her office for four hours because I just broke down. Losing my current therapist (as he has since been very hostile with me and we aren't connecting or working through the rupture) has triggered the loss of my brother and I relied on my therapist to help support me so I felt capable to look after my dead brothers kids and handle a job also. It was devastating to me that I was losing the only safe place I have ever felt.

The new therapist suggested that she thought it would do me more harm to lose that relationship and under these circumstances she wanted to contact my therapist to get a better picture and try to facilitate at least a repair. However she said her main goal was to try and get him to still me and she could do the more intense trauma work. They talked it out. And ... They both seem beyond excited to be working together to help me.
I will be seeing both of them each week.

I have huge fears though, this isn't what I was expecting. I have always been told not to see two of the same specialized therapists. Like it would be okay if one was strictly CBT therapy and the other trauma work or something but this isn't the case. I am a little taken aback and would appreciate any insight or any questions that I could maybe even bring in to them so we could sort it out and maybe avoid any issues? They will be working together and sharing information. and I am pushing to not be left out of the loop at any point in time. but that takes a lot of trust on my end that they are being completely forth coming.

Is this something that is normal that I just haven't heard of? Or is this strange? Do you think it might work? What would be your guys biggest concerns?

I am so sorry this is so long I just wanted to give the best clearest picture I possibly could so I could gain proper insight on the situation. Even if you just read this thank you so much.

I am wishing you all the best and think of this site often as a safe place and I am truly grateful.
Thank you
Dawn

 

[Leighlee87]

I haven't heard of working with two separate therapists before, but I don't see why not if the two of them are on the same page and in contact with one another. There is a possibility that each will have different roles to fulfill for you, and each will be working in separate areas to treat your trauma. I guess maybe it is the same as how my therapist will have me schedule full hour long talk sessions with my psychiatrist from time to time (like if she is going to be out of town, or if I need extra support one week). Or how I do a lot of work with my nutritionist for my ed including food challenges, meal support, etc, (which I also do with my therapist) and how I am in group therapy lead by a separate therapist. All these people talk to one another, know the different things going on in my treatment plan, and each takes on different responsibilities or offers additional support in the same area when needed. I guess, sometimes being treated on an outpatient basis when things are severe takes the work of more than one individual to accomplish. So, while it might not seem traditional, it is worth a shot if both therapists think it will work to your benefit.

 

[Dragonfly-Dawn]

@Leighlee87 , Thank you so much for your reply! I believe you are correct. I guess I just didn't know I was ill enough or a severe enough case to need a full team as opposed to one psychologist. I am just scared that it's going to blow up in my face. I'm scared. But hopefully they communicate approapriatly and I receive the support I need.
Thank you again, I am sending you loving thoughts! xx

 

[qwyoey]

I have two. No big deal. They talk to each other about where I am in treatment and it's helpful to have both.

 

[Dragonfly-Dawn]

Is there any road blocks or bumps in the road that you would be able to give me insight in so as I can avoid them potentially? I mean I know there will be difficult times but anything to make it easier would be helpful. :)

Thank you so much for your kind reply @qwyoey! I greatly appreciate it! I am sending you caring vibes! xo

 

[qwyoey]

I don't have any personally to mention. Judging by where you are in this process, I think it's okay to let the professionals guide here.

 

[Dragonfly-Dawn]

Yes I can totally agree on one level.
On another level I have been in therapy for three years and let him guide it only to find out he feels inadequate and he never said anything. It has lead to a lot of problems and hurt and I pay out of pocket so I want to be involved in my treatment so I understand what is expected of me so I can't cross any boundaries or have it cause more harm than good.
I do agree with you but in my circumstance I believe I kind of need to be more active.
Please also know that I am just trying to get a broader picture of how it could work so I can talk with them about it. I want nothing more than to let them figure it out but if I also remain engaged than maybe it will be less likely to not work out. Both therapists have never teamed up to treat a client, they never even knew each other. So this is new for them also. I just felt if I was able to bring any concerns or questions in than I could bring awareness and potentially have this work out really well. I would def. leave it to them almost 100% if this was something both of them have done before. I think without doing it previously they may not be aware of potential issues is all.

I am really happy for you that you have had no road blocks or issues! That is awesome, and I am happy you are receiving the best care and support!! :)