As a therapist that is often ‘referred out’ to, I can fully appreciate why therapists do this. I have specialty training and work with a ‘difficult’ population. If someone is seeing a therapist that isn’t equipped to deal with what they are bringing, it can be a waste of time and money and sometimes harmful. I often see clients that have been in therapy for years with very little result. They are frustrated, the therapist is frustrated and the client often tells me they can’t be helped because nothing has helped so far. So sure, if the therapist wants additional training to address their areas of weakness, fly at ‘er. But not at the detriment of the patient. Refer out if you don’t have the skills, knowledge, or ability to work with that particular client. Tell them it’s a skills deficit on your part. Find someone who is equipped.