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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bavmorda on December 7, 2003, at 8:27:51
Background: So I have a series of several nervous breakdowns starting in the summer and continuing through autumn. During the years since adolescence, I have been very good at dealing with my disthymia and self-diagnosed ADD without meds. An amazing therapist gave me some great tools to keep myself in check. However, weekly public panic attacks and the sudden onset of stuttering forced me to admit that I may not be able to do it all alone anymore. None of those mental exercises were doing me a bit of good.
***
In October, I finally admitted that therapy and a simple anti-depressant would be beneficial. A very non-threatening, humorous, and intelligent therapist was chosen for me. Much like the woman who helped me as a teenager. She was very quick to get me to a pdoc, who diagnosed me with ADD. (We are still exploring the possibility of GAD)
My fourth appointment with the therapist was at the end of November. When I walked into her office, there were boxes everywhere. She immediately explained that she was moving to Baltimore to be closer to her grandchildren because "family is more important". Hmm. What a lovely thing to say after squeezing $100 out of my pocket (and who knows how much from my insurance company). I was furious. She asked if I would like to continue the appointment. HAH! I told her that there was no way that I would continue to pay her for nothing, and ended the session.
On my way home - 40 mins from her office - I had a few realizations. Our sessions always felt like I was having a conversation with an old friend. At times when I felt that she should have jumped in to focus on a subject, she didnt. In other words, she knew the entire time, and held back because there was no point in really studying my issues if I was going to see another doctor in a month. If I had worked with this woman regularly for a year or so and she decided to leave, I would be sad, but not angry. I wasnt suicidal when I set up my intake, so why the rush to get me to someone like her when I was willing to wait?
Now for my question (sorry that this is so lenghty). How can I trust the mental health facility who assigned her to me? How can I trust the next person to not do the same thing? Trial and error is a different story... I am sure that many of you here have weeded through your fair share of therapy duds. Nevertheless, none of us have the time or the money to deal with being lied to from the beginning. Would you:
A) Find another mental health center/professional office.
or
B) Stick with your current, but make it very clear to the patient advocate that this situation should NOT happen again.
(Thank you all in advance for your time)
Posted by justyourlaugh on December 7, 2003, at 9:17:30
In reply to Hoodwinked by a therapist!, posted by bavmorda on December 7, 2003, at 8:27:51
i would pick "b";
i can see why you are so "hoodwinkedish"...
how can we feel like a people when we are treated like less?
j
Posted by Speaker on December 7, 2003, at 9:35:43
In reply to Hoodwinked by a therapist!, posted by bavmorda on December 7, 2003, at 8:27:51
I think I would choose C. :) I would make the current facility aware of what happened and let them know how disturbing this situation is (understanding the facility might be as shocked as you were). If they were aware I would request a refund...the worst they can say is NO. If they were aware the therapist was leaving there is no excuse and they do not deserve another chance. I would then seek another avenue for therapy. Please keep me informed as what you decide. I too am looking for a new therapist after years of therapy...it is very difficult.
Posted by Dinah on December 7, 2003, at 10:32:55
In reply to Hoodwinked by a therapist!, posted by bavmorda on December 7, 2003, at 8:27:51
It was pretty rotten of her if she knew, not to tell you. And pretty flighty of her if she didn't know.
That's on my list of potential questions for new therapists. Do you have any immediate (15-20 years) plans to leave the area or quit practice.
I'd certainly tell the agency how you feel about the situation and see what they say.
Posted by Poet on December 7, 2003, at 10:41:32
In reply to Hoodwinked by a therapist!, posted by bavmorda on December 7, 2003, at 8:27:51
How completely unprofessional. I don't understand why the mental health facility would have assigned you to someone who was leaving. Then again if she didn't tell you upfront, maybe she didn't tell them either.
I think you should tell the patient advocate what happened and ask for a new therapist. Be upfront with the new person, tell him/her what happened to you. A good therapist understands the patients fear of abandonment. I'm sorry your other one seemed to only care about herself.
Poet
Posted by bavmorda on December 7, 2003, at 21:43:57
In reply to Hoodwinked by a therapist!, posted by bavmorda on December 7, 2003, at 8:27:51
Thanks everyone for the advice... I wasnt sure if it would be out of line to ask for a refund, but honestly, the only person who has done anything to help me is the pdoc. I am more than willing to pay for appointments with her.
I will definitely call the office tomorrow and keep everyone updated on what happens. No patient should be treated this way.
Posted by Penny on December 8, 2003, at 8:26:57
In reply to Re: Hoodwinked by a therapist! » bavmorda, posted by Dinah on December 7, 2003, at 10:32:55
> That's on my list of potential questions for new therapists. Do you have any immediate (15-20 years) plans to leave the area or quit practice.
I'm sorry, Dinah...put this made me chuckle. Because it's the same kind of thing I would think, and I can imagine some therapists thinking, "15 - 20 years? How could I know?"I guess this means you should choose a relatively young therapist as well, so they won't go and die on you (well, of age-related causes, anyway...).
My former T had recently moved to my state from NY when I started seeing her. And the thought occurred to me that it was not set in stone that her husband wouldn't be transferred again (the reason for moving), which would leave me therapist-less.
But my current T has been in this area since college, and she's in her 50s, and she has promised to not go anywhere, AND she talked about how she probably won't fully retire when the time comes but will continue to see a few patients. Of course, I don't know if *I* will be here that long!
Oh my...
P
This is the end of the thread.
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