Posted by pseudoname on June 16, 2006, at 13:49:23
In reply to can professionals keep this a secret?, posted by ElaineM on June 16, 2006, at 9:41:38
It sure sounds like you want "some advice or something" from a real person who is responsible, clearly on your side, and connected to you. My suggestion is that you heed that desire immediately.
Your physician could be a place to start. It sounds like your instinct is to trust her? Physicians, however, are not necessarily highly trained in what to do in these situations. Another — additional — option would be to get a consult from another experienced, preferably female, therapist. You could see one in another town, if you're really concerned about inadvertently revealing your current T's identity.
By getting help from outside your relationship with your current T, you may be helping HIM to avoid serious errors with disastrous consequences for HIM. Whatever bad things could theoretically happen to him at this stage, they are minor compared to what can happen to him if the two of you escalate the non-therapy relationship or cross the line into sexual contact, the consequences of which could end his career or even land him in jail.
It's better for him, no matter what the outcome, for you to see someone else immediately. While I think your concern for him is misplaced, it's understandable.
> Any advice about how to disclose this discreetly would be helpful.
Pay for the consult by yourself (i.e., don't disclose your insurance company information), at least at first. Make clear to her your concerns about identifying your current therapist, and ASK HER what she would or would not do on her own to identify him or turn him in. The focus of a new therapist will be YOUR well-being, not prosecuting the other guy.
Good luck and please post how it's going for you.
poster:pseudoname
thread:657557
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060615/msgs/657630.html