Opinions please...to request internship w/former T or not?

athenacusMember

Hi All,
I'm sure many of you have heard my story and are probably sick of it by now. I'm just hoping I can get some opinions from you all on what you would do or not do. Suggestions, opinions, questions and such are welcome!

Here's the deal: I'm a therapist in training currently. I stopped seeing my T about a year ago (I had seen her for over 2 years and we were really close/connected/attached). During several sessions she brought up termination and said that if I ever wanted to do my internship at the clinic she works at then I couldn't be her client. That T also mentioned that I could never work there for pay after internship due to ethics and such. I made the heartbreaking decision to leave T after we had talked about terminating. I was imagining this really cool internship year with me working at her office and seeing her in the break room and in meetings, so our relationship would be more like co-workers.
Anyway, the time has come for me to fill out paperwork for internship. I can request a clinic, but of course, it's not a for sure thing. The supervisor of the clinic could say no due to various reasons.
I have a new T in the city I attend school in, so I'm not in need of my previous T. Although, I miss her greatly!
Ok...so my question is....do I fill out paperwork requesting former T's clinic as a site to work at for a year (without pay) knowing full well that I will never be able to work there or see her for therapy? Or do I request a different clinic in which I might have a slight chance of getting a job at after internship (rare, but can happen)? That would mean not seeing former T in that context of an intern.
I asked two people that I know this question today and one said go for the clinic that I know and the other person said that I would be shooting myself in the foot if I chose the clinic that said absolutely no job after internship.
What do you all think?

9/28/1311:34 PM

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starlightMember

Hi,
I'm with SP on this. Professionally it makes sense to go for the internship which may lead to a job oppurtunity.
I also worry whether you previous client/T relationship would interfer in your intership/mentor relationship, from both sides. She made need at times to make critiscisms about professional ascepts, which may feel very different to you coming from exT.
Although personally I would jump at the chance to be working alongs side T later, I think it is one of those things that we can dream about, but the reality might be very different.
Sorry if this is not really the opinion that you want to hear!. You are of course the one who knows you and your exT best.
It also occured to me, how would you feel if your application to ex T was turned down. This could be for all sorts of reasons, not necessarily to do with her wishes, but would it spoil the current good post T relationship you have with her?
Good luck with whichever decision you make!

9/29/132:20 AM

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thekidMember

Hi Athenacus...if I may, I agree that it may be within your best interest to not work in the same place as your former T. While the adult A may be able to think with her head, I would be afraid of your younger heart being triggered not only by her but your clients, making things even more complex. Then everyone may end up suffering. Maybe as more time passes, working there would be an option but an honest answer is it sounds like there's too much potential for unwanted experiences/feelings on both sides.

I wish you well in your new occupation. Please keep us posted.

The Kid

9/29/136:43 AM

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rebuildingmeMember

I think it would be better to intern elsewhere. I would keep moving towards your professional life separate from old T. with the idea that when you are done with training, you become more "equal" with her than the power relationship that probably still lurks around if you intern in that clinic.

9/29/137:50 AM

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