Is it normal for therapists to be so isolated?

I have been working with my current therapist for almost 3 years and have made TREMENDOUS progress. But there are 2 problems I'm having that he admits he doesn't know how to help me with. I've asked him if there are any discussion groups/support groups etc. that he can join to bounce ideas off colleagues. He said no. He said it's partially because of HIPAA which makes sense, but nevertheless, I simply can't believe he's just so alone in the universe.

I mean, I work in IT, and I encounter IT challenges I can't overcome on almost a daily basis. But between Google and my coworkers I practically have an ARMY at my disposal when I need help.

Is this normal? Are therapists usually completely isolated from other therapists? If a patient has a therapist who isn't sure how to help him is the patient just either hosed or looking for another therapist?

Hey,

This largely depends on where you live and what type of therapist you're seeing. If it's a therapist that works as their own 'institute', they are more likely not to have anyone to fall back on. Still, ex-classmates and past colleagues could help them out.
If you're seeing a therapist in a remote rural village then they're also likely to be without help.
Therapist from a mental health organisation in a big city ? It'll be suspicious if they don't have a team at the ready.

In general, they should have ways to help you or at least be inspired to find the information they need to help you.

Hope that answers your question!

There are plenty of therapists who can't help someone with a specific problem, perhaps out of their focus as a therapist. But I have never heard one say to their patient that there isn't anyone else who can help the patient, if I'm reading you right. Unless they are speaking about a certain geographical area.

Thank you both for the responses.

Otter, I may not have explained it clearly. First, he is indeed an independent therapist - he is his own boss, as far as I know answers to nobody. We live in a big city. He had one friend who was an expert on EMDR but that friend is going through some personal crises and is therefore not available. He mentioned possibly reaching out to some celebrity psychologist in a different city who he'd never met but whose work he's always admired. That didn't happen for whatever reason (which I understand). But as far as there being ANY other former classmates, colleagues, or just people he knows, he simply has no "support system" for when he has patients with challenges.

Hope that clears it up. It's pretty frustrating because I really like him and do NOT want to search for another therapist. Nor do I want to continue to deal with these 2 specific problems.

Thanks. I did not know about EMDR. There is good info on EMDR(com) which helped me understand. I can see why it might be harder to find someone who specializes in it.

Hi, MadeofMetal,

I understand that your therapist doesn't know any specialist in EMDR that he can recommend you, that you trust him and that you live in a big city.

Is it possible that you stay with him, look by yourself for an EMDR specialist and talk with him about it, share your experience etc?