Can You Have Two Therapists?

Maybe you’re already seeing an individual therapist, but are considering couples counseling, or you need specialized support for something your current therapist doesn’t treat. You might wonder whether it’s okay to see two therapists at the same time. 

In some situations, working with two therapists can be helpful, especially when each has a different role in your care. However, seeing multiple therapists isn’t always recommended, and it’s important to consider how the arrangement could affect your treatment.

This guide explains when seeing two therapists may be beneficial, what challenges to consider, and how to coordinate care when working with more than one provider.

Can You See Two Therapists at the Same Time?

Yes, there are situations where seeing two therapists at the same time may be appropriate. This is often the case when each therapist provides a different type of treatment, such as individual therapy and couples counseling, or when specialized care is needed. 

However, working with multiple therapists isn’t always beneficial. It’s important to consider your treatment goals, whether the approaches complement each other, and how your providers will coordinate. The key is making sure the two relationships support each other.

Professional guidance reflects this. Psychologists, for example, are expected to consult with your other providers when it makes sense and to proceed with care and sensitivity, so the arrangement supports your progress.

Whether two therapists make sense for you depends on why you want a second one, which is where we turn next.

When Can Having Two Therapists Help?

Working with two therapists may be beneficial when each provides a different type of care that supports your treatment goals. Some situations where this arrangement may be appropriate include:

• Individual and couples therapy. You keep working on your own goals with one therapist while you and a partner see another. If you feel unsafe with your partner, couples therapy isn’t recommended, and individual support is the safer place to start.
• Individual and group therapy. A group can offer connection and a place to practice new skills with others, while individual sessions go deeper into your own story.
• Structured programs. In DBT, a team of therapists and skills trainers works with you through weekly individual sessions and a skills group at the same time.
• A specialist for one concern. You might see someone trained in a specific approach for trauma or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) while staying with your regular therapist for everything else.
• A therapist and a prescriber. While this isn’t the same as seeing two therapists, many people benefit from working with both a therapist and a provider who manages their medication. Psychiatrists may also provide psychotherapy, so their role can vary. With your permission, these professionals can coordinate care to support your treatment goals. 

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When Might Two Therapists Not Be a Good Idea?

Two therapists doing the same kind of work on the same concern can sometimes pull you in different directions. A few situations deserve some thought before you add a second therapist.

• Conflicting advice. Two approaches to the same issue may give you different or even contradictory guidance.
• Overlapping treatment goals. When two therapists are addressing the same concerns without coordinating care, treatment can become confusing or inconsistent. This may make it harder to track progress or determine which approaches are helping.
• Less depth with each therapist. Splitting your time can make it harder to build a strong bond with either one, and the bond you share with a therapist is one of the biggest factors in whether therapy helps.
• Working around a hard conversation. Sometimes seeking a second therapist can be a way to avoid addressing concerns with your current therapist. If you’re having difficulties in that relationship, discussing those concerns may help you work through them or decide whether finding a different therapist would be a better fit. 
• Cost and time. Two sets of sessions add up, and your insurance may not cover both.

If you decide two therapists are right for you, a little planning can help the arrangement run smoothly.

How Do You Make Two Therapists Work?

Clear communication is the foundation. These steps can help your care fit together.

• Tell both therapists. Letting each know about the other helps them understand the full picture and avoid repeating the same work.
• Decide how they will communicate. Your therapists generally need your written consent to talk with each other. A therapist’s private session notes get extra protection and usually require your authorization before they go to another provider.
• Clarify each role. Agree on what each therapist focuses on, such as one for relationship patterns and another for a specific concern.
• Bring up what you notice. If something from one therapist’s sessions affects your work with the other, you can mention it. Each therapist can then adjust, and you stay at the center of your own care.
• Check in over time. Revisit whether the arrangement still helps, and consider stepping down to one therapist once a goal is met.

How Do I Find a Second Therapist?

Before looking for a second therapist, consider discussing your needs with your current therapist. They can help you explore whether additional treatment would be beneficial or whether your concerns can be addressed within your existing therapist.  It also helps to ask how they typically work alongside other providers and whether they are comfortable coordinating care. Your current therapist may also know specialists nearby and can offer a referral. Let the new therapist know you’re already receiving treatment and ask how they approach coordinating care with other providers.

We created Mental Health Match to make this part easier, and it’s free to use. You answer a few questions about what you are looking for, including a specific concern or approach, and we introduce you to therapists who fit your needs. It works well alongside a referral from your current therapist or your insurer’s directory.