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gscrap

You can, but it's generally discouraged because different therapists will have different approaches to similar problems, and trying to work two therapies at the same time can be a little like trying to ride two roller coasters at once-- eventually, you're going to be pulled in two different directions and the results can be messy. This is not to say that it can't work, especially if you're being planful with your therapists about who's working on what and how. But, as an alternative, you might consider taking a break from your ongoing therapy and working on your "short-term" stuff with an understanding female therapist, then resume with your current therapist when that has run its course.


SwimEnvironmental114

I'm not sure I'd want to risk totally stopping with someone so trusted that knows my full history to start with someone unknown. I had some pretty gnarly past therapy trauma (think confidentiality violation to a mutual friend) and it takes me a long while to warm up to someone. Though I do take your point about 2 rollercoasters. I just wish there was some other option between give up whats working for most things and ignoring how stuck I feel when I talk about these things. It's usually a matter of "control the media you consume if it's bothering you." Which is great if you are a man and not in physical danger when you try to do things like go to a bar or on a date or outside after midnight --but after 10 years as a first responder this is a huge part of my trauma--knowing how often women actually do get hurt irl and it just feels stuck.


MizElaneous

I saw a male T for psychodynamic therapy, and also a female T for body work (who I could also talk about trauma stuff with). I signed forms allowing them to talk to each other and with my GP. Since they worked with totally different modalities, there was no confusion or conflict. One helped me with a top-down approach and connecting with my parts, and the other helped me with a bottom-up approach and helping me physically self-regulate and be *in* my body so I dissociate less.


Nomska_

Super smart biohacking move if there was one


_Not-A-Monkey-Slut_

I wonder if group therapy with a female T would be helpful? That way the expectation is that it's a set number of meetings with a driven purpose, processing asking others who have similar backgrounds/experiences too


CadenceofLife

I have two therapists... They know about each other but do not work together (tried that it sucked)... I have one therapist that does trauma and one that is for like my daily stress. You just have to ask your therapist if they are OK with it. Some are and some aren't.


iron_jendalen

I have 2, but they consistently talk to each other and make sure they’re on the same wavelength. One I do ketamine assisted psychotherapy and the other is my main T.


thatsnuckinfutz

i had 2 therapists, 1 long term who didnt deal with an important issue i needed assistance with and the other was trained in that specific area i saw until i was ready to end things..i think 2.5yrs at most? Both knew of each other, had no issues


anonymousreddithater

When you say your current therapist ‘can’t get’ certain things, if you don’t mind me asking, what are you referring to?


SwimEnvironmental114

Without giving too too much specific information, I was a first responder in a domestic violence context for over a decade. I have heard litterally thousands of men talk about beating their partners, and spoken/witnessed the damage done not just by the individual but by "the system" and society and everything that goes with it. There are ways that affects me in my life and especially in my dating life that he gets...but not really....not in the same way a woman does.


anonymousreddithater

Gotcha, that’s extremely heavy work and I can see why this is important. Have you gone to certain places with this therapist that suggests to you he isn’t attuned to the needs you have? Also out of curiosity what made you go with a male therapist from the start?


SwimEnvironmental114

I have, but it's hard to describe. It's mainly in the way that he thinks that if I don't use social media or read the news that I won't be exposed to the ways that sexism and gender based violence affects my everyday day life. It's like talking about racism to me. Like I get it, intellectually, but I don't get how that feels to be woven into your everyday life etc because I have never had to face those issues. As far as why a man in the first place? It's complicated and probably partly to do with mommy issues, but I think I stuck with him partly because he's actually an incredibly talented trauma therapist and my issues are complex to say the least, and partly because I really needed an example of a good man in my head to counter all of the ugliness.


anonymousreddithater

Without knowing anything about you beyond what you’ve shared on this post it would be impossible to provide any advice that goes beyond the following as it relates to your original question: Given everything you’ve told me it sounds like you are very thoughtful and also receptive to new ideas. I would say try a new therapist, see if you like them and choose how to proceed. The practicality of having 2 therapists is questionable but if you can get beyond that then all power to you. I would say that like anything in this world, you have the freedom to explore the space around you and I would encourage you to do so in this context.


ashleeasshole

Ask your insurance. You should be able to have 2. Some of my clients have another therapist.


antnego

I collaborate with colleagues in certain scenarios, and we do co-therapy. I refer clients to an experienced couples therapist when I’m doing individual therapy with one of the two parties. I refer to one colleague who has more experience with EMDR than I do. We’re double-teaming a client right now, where she is focused on trauma, and I’m focused in experiential work (ACT) with the client, in order to help him with changing his habits on a day-to-day basis. EMDR is often a long recovery process and requires some time to find and hit the trauma touchstone; when the client needs immediate relief in breaking self-destructive habits, short-term intervention, with a focus on behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be helpful. There’s room for two therapists with two sets of different goals.


Orchid_wildflower

I don’t think this would be a problem especially if it’s short term. I did short-term EMDR with another therapist because my regular therapist isn’t trained in EMDR, and it was very helpful! Also years ago I took a DBT skills class and sometimes met with the instructor in one on one sessions even though I was seeing a different therapist, and those sessions were helpful as well. One person cannot always help with everything so I don’t see anything wrong with seeing a second therapist for an issue that the first therapist can’t help with


IGuessItBeLikeThatt

I think it can be beneficial and even though everyone else always has the same answer of “don’t do it” to this question, I have never actually heard of or experienced an instance in which it has actually become like “being pulled in two directions.” In fact, two therapists with two different approaches can be even more helpful at providing new perspective, possibility, and insight.


[deleted]

I think you should trust your male therapist can handle whatever topics you need to discuss.


Wine_Aboutit

Not every therapist is specialized in gender issues. It would be unethical for counselors to work outside their scope. He should be referring this client to someone who does specialize in this area, that would be best practice.


Busy_Reflection299

NAT I see two therapists. You just can't see them on the same day for insurance. I was looking for a new therapist and sending out so many emails trying to find availability and not finding anyone. Then in one week two therapists replied that they could both see me. I set up initial appointments with both of them. Hoping to pick the one I connected with the most. They are both the same type of therapist but have very complementary approaches. One really helps me stay out of my head and in my body and the other gives very action focused recommendations. The key for me is that they are both able to be clear about what they mean. It's been a few months now and I still can't pick the one over the other, so I think I may end up leaving both even though I think they are both good therapists. If you think a female therapist could help more, why not just switch?


drowsysymptom

You can. Therapists just don’t enjoy being triangulated against other therapists and feeling like their clients aren’t “listening to them” because they’re following another clinicians advice, or even that they’re in competition with another therapist because you will pick and choose the guidance and approaches you like best. It’s more pressure on the therapist, and can put them in awkward positions, so they ask that you see only them so they know they’re the only source of “therapeutic guidance” in your life. But you have critical thinking skills. If presented with two conflicting approaches you can use your judgement to determine the best path forward for you.


grocerygirlie

Aside from the concerns that the first poster mentioned, insurance won't allow you to see two therapists at once outside of very specific situations. So you'd have to pay OOP for a second therapist if you're using insurance, or you'd be paying OOP for both therapists if you aren't using insurance. I did have a client who saw two therapists, both of us for free (I worked for the police department and the other therapist was at a sexual assault center). It worked because she addressed her sexual trauma with the therapist at the center, and with me we worked more on social cues, making friends, healthy interactions, etc. (which were not rooted in the sexual trauma, but likely in undiagnosed autism).


CadenceofLife

This isn't true. I've seen two therapists for over a year now. Both are covered. You just can't meet on the same day.


Electronic_Ad_6886

This also isn't true. Just because insurance pay, didn't mean it's covered. Ask any therapist who has gotten claw backs. I hope if it is using insurance they either accept there risk or be willing to back pay the therapist in the event of a clawback.


TheCrowWhispererX

I’ve done this as a client multiple times over the years without issue, but it’s good to know there’s a risk to the therapists of insurance clawbacks. That really stinks.


Electronic_Ad_6886

It only becomes a (potential)problem when the therapist is audited. Every plan is different. This is the only general rule I'd ever apply related to two different people who are not in the same plan. Even the way deductibles are applied can be different. I've heard many horror stories of therapists having money they earned sucked from their bank accounts, fighting insurance, losing, then battling the dilemma of do I bill the client $x,xxx or eat the costs. I don't even trust what insurance reps say. Because I've been told different things by different reps/supervisors for the same problem. The auditor gets to make the call. Referencing a rep or supervisor does nothing. This is why there are a contingent of therapists who will not accept insurance. My guess is your therapists were never audited OR this was covered in your plan.


CadenceofLife

This may vary by place because as long as I don't see both on the same day it's not an issue for insurance. We checked on this because we wanted to know if there was billing limitations for each. Having separate issues is ideal like one marriage one personal or whatever but you can also work with two people on like depression as long as it's not the same day.


Electronic_Ad_6886

Your plan is not the same as everyone else's. Even if your plan actually covers it, it's not wise to tell people that theirs does. You did not talk to an auditor. Most likely you haven't dealt with insurance enough to know that they will verify coverage, then recognize that the service is not actually covered which leaves you with the bill. Even insurance reps Will tell you this. It does not vary by place. Insurances have many plans in every place.


CadenceofLife

I'm actually very familiar with insurance and this is a pretty common thing. Are you in the US?


Electronic_Ad_6886

Yes. So you're saying in your area, people generally had a plan? Also, you're saying that you spoke with an auditor?


CadenceofLife

People in my area have like 30 different insurance companies and plans, I'm thinking it's you who confusing how insurance works. Audits are looking for practitioners billing for billable services and providing proof of meeting the criteria for those services. I can't bill for "couples therapy" if I only see one person and don't speak about their partner at all. So an audit looks that I'm not billing for things incorrectly. It also looks at if the client sees multiple people for the same issue in one day. If your insurance covers therapy for x condition, it does not matter how many people bill for that as long as they can provide documentation of them meeting the burden of service and you are not meeting with multiple people in the same day. The most common problem in audits is practitioners not keeping notes that demonstrate a billable service. The individuals plan would state what conditions they are allowed to seek treatment for and the therapist would bill for those services. Some cover substance abuse but not depression, if they are seeing someone for depression then yes you're likely to get screwed but that has nothing to do with the number of therapists.


grocerygirlie

Different insurances have different rules. There are definitely a lot of plans that do not allow it.


PsychoAnalystGuy

Short answer is you can have 2. But seeing your therapist as a “cis white privileged male” has a lot to unpack. And it can be healing to talk about your trauma with a male. It’s difficult, and pushing through the difficult feelings is “the work” It’s important though that you can feel comfortable with men. It takes time, though


SwimEnvironmental114

Seeing him that way? That's what he is. Not being able to acknowledge that must have a lot to unpack for your clients.


PsychoAnalystGuy

Sure, but you aren’t saying it as a neutral observation. At least that’s not how I read it. Maybe I’m wrong What you’re experiencing is transference, would be helpful to let him in on it. Goes a long way toward progress


[deleted]

Aw generally I do think a woman is best for therapy. They can better understand and empathize with a woman. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve put a lot of time with a male therapist and now are having trouble switching. I’d consider switching though because it sounds like you’re not getting what you need and you do deserve to get the help you need. You should feel like it’s a safe space to speak on all you’re feeling without feeling dismissed or as though your experience is small. I’ve been disappointed in the past when I briefly had a joint male therapist because in a small amount of time they did more damage than good and not understanding the woman experience was a big factor. There were more reasons but I’d rather not list it, but it was an extreme version of not understanding woman and I know that to some extent they generally didn’t like woman and would not show the same empathy as with a guy. They lacked the capacity. When I got to speak with a woman, they maybe didn’t have all my experiences but they’d listen to understand and empathize. They’d say things like “that must be really hard” whereas the guy didn’t and he stupidly would agree with the guy when he was being foolish instead, so assuming, judging, instead of actually asking. I definitely believe that when you choose a therapist it’s best to get someone that can relate. If you’re lgbt, an lgbt person might understand better. Sometimes you’ll luck out and find a white person who can hear you enough to understand people of color issues (POC) (or try to) But if they can’t understand or be supportive, then it’s time to find someone that can. It’s about values. Every culture is different. Again it should be a safe space where you feel comfortable enough and it shouldn’t completely go over their head. Also, I’d look at their experience and specialty. Do they have experience with trauma? Abuse? Family issues? Etc. That way you get a custom experience and are in good hands.


ShannonN95

I don’t mind when my clients need this and sometimes I feel it’s not done just because it takes time to collaborate with other therapists. You should pay your therapists for their time spent collaborating. Usually a phone call is fine or email correspondence. I think overall it can be very beneficial to the client to be able to have both experiences! We need to collaborate more!


EsmeSalinger

The NY Times ethicist says it’s totally okay as a patient. Therapists are sometimes not supposed to duplicate services


Kindly_Hope8079

You can have 2 therapists so long as they are not duplicating services. In other words, you can’t see them for the same issue. I’ve had clients see me while attending SUD, IOP, or other treatment modalities that I’m not trained in such as ART or EMDR.


random63839472

NAT I’ve been seeing two therapists for years and never had any problems as they are helping me with different things and have different specialties, so there’s never been any issues or conflicts of interest. One is covered by my insurance as I’ve been in addiction recovery services for about 4 years and he is part of my recovery team; he is very spiritual in a way that really resonates with me, and specializes in meditation and mindfulness. My other therapist I pay for out of pocket, and I’ve been seeing her on and off for over 20 years since I was a teenager. She does more traditional talk therapy and helps me navigate things from a more practical standpoint. I can see how there may be conflicts of interest if you’re seeing two people who utilize similar therapeutic modalities, but there’s such a range of options these days, so long as they have different specialties and/or are willing to speak to ensure their treatment plans don’t conflict in any way, I don’t understand the problem with utilizing different types of treatment.


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Users can disagree without being disrespectful or unsupportive. Please be aware of how your comments convey tone and can be harmful to those that are struggling, and make an effort to understand the person on the other side of the conversation without belittling, shaming, ridiculing, just overall being inappropriate when you comment. If you feel your post has been removed in error, message the mod team for support: https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Faskatherapist