DH’s therapist refused to talk to our marriage therapist

[Anonymous]

Title says it all. I am so angry that his therapist refuses to speak to our therapist. He says she disclosed this from day one - because she will not breach confidence. I cannot understand why a professional would refuse to collaborate on care to benefit the patient. She says she will only do it by court order.

Is it me or is this total BS? Apparently she is “old school” if that means anything. I know he won’t push her on this because he will think he owes her professional respect. Our therapist called her and she didn’t return the calls. Finally she got her on the phone and the therapist said no. And that was it. It seems totally unprofessional to me.

[Anonymous]

Did he sign a consent waiver?

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's new school/old school thing but sounds about right. I wouldn't either.

[Anonymous]

My husband’s therapist signed a waiver so that she could talk to me. She could answer general questions.

[Anonymous]

Yes he signed a release.

[Anonymous]

Your husband has to consent to it. And can. I’m completely sure she has a release of information that she’d accept if her client signed it (client meaning your husband). So blame your husband, he can give consent if he wants to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's new school/old school thing but sounds about right. I wouldn't either.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your husband has to consent to it. And can. I’m completely sure she has a release of information that she’d accept if her client signed it (client meaning your husband). So blame your husband, he can give consent if he wants to.

He did consent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband’s therapist signed a waiver so that she could talk to me. She could answer general questions.

What did you want to ask her?

[Anonymous]

I don’t know if it is unprofessional but it sounds lazy to me. It’s entirely possible for two therapists to have a conversation about mutual clients, with client consent, without breaching confidence. The therapist just doesn’t want to do it.

[Anonymous]

Your husband is the driver here, not his therapist. If *he* wants her to talk to another healthcare professional who provides care for him, she should do so. I’d argue that not doing so is unethical. That said, her resistance is bizarre and unprofessional - it would make me suspect he’s hiding something huge, frankly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your husband has to consent to it. And can. I’m completely sure she has a release of information that she’d accept if her client signed it (client meaning your husband). So blame your husband, he can give consent if he wants to.

He did consent.

DP - your husband signed consent to disclose to the couples therapist (i.e., he wants them to talk) and his individual therapist is refusing?

I’d fire her and possibly report her to the licensing board. That’s unethical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your husband is the driver here, not his therapist. If *he* wants her to talk to another healthcare professional who provides care for him, she should do so. I’d argue that not doing so is unethical. That said, her resistance is bizarre and unprofessional - it would make me suspect he’s hiding something huge, frankly.

OP here. This does concern me. I agree - he is totally the driver. He doesn’t seem to get that he is the customer here. (Or client.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes he signed a release.

Who gave your husband the release to sign? Did the therapist who is refusing to talk to the other one give him the release to sign and then refuse the consultation for which the release was signed? That seems odd to me.

Otherwise, I wonder if your husband has told his therapist that he doesn't want her to talk to the marriage counselor and the therapist must abide by his decision and also not tell you that he is the one insisting on confidentiality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your husband has to consent to it. And can. I’m completely sure she has a release of information that she’d accept if her client signed it (client meaning your husband). So blame your husband, he can give consent if he wants to.

He did consent.

DP - your husband signed consent to disclose to the couples therapist (i.e., he wants them to talk) and his individual therapist is refusing?

I’d fire her and possibly report her to the licensing board. That’s unethical.

Yes - that’s it. He says she told him this on day 1. She’s been in practice for 45+ years and demands a hefty sum. I’m pi$$ed that we can’t coordinate based on the last 6 years of therapy he has done.