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  #1  
Old January 6th, 2005, 11:59 PM
SWstudent SWstudent is offline
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Question How ethical is my therapist?

I am a SW student who sees a therapist. I was wondering how ethical some things that she is doing. Lately she has been canceling my appointments with her. Sometimes it was the night before the session when her office called me to cancel, sometimes it was 20 minutes before the session when I got a phone call stating that my session was cancelled. About 3 times I went to her house (that's where she sees her therapy clients) just to be told by her personal assistant on the steps of the house that my session was cancelled. It's humiliating, first that she cancells my appointments a lot, second that she does it right before the session and third, to come all the way to her house just to be turned away. The reason is always the same - she is sick, she is not feeling well. When I pass by her house about an hour later - her car is gone, so she is well enough to go out but not well enough to see me. I never talked to her about this. I am going to be a therapist one day, so can you tell me is that ok to do things like that to your clients?
Thanks,
SWstudent
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  #2  
Old January 10th, 2005, 01:13 AM
Da Friendly Puter Tech Da Friendly Puter Tech is offline
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Default Re: How ethical is my therapist?

Yanno, we wouldnt really know enough to comment on how ethical your therapist is. However, if I were in your shoes I would be quite hurt about the behavior. I would also realize that there might be legitimate reasons for the behavior - a sick family member is one reason springing to mind.

Why dont you talk to her about it? You can decide how to handle it depending on her answer....

Da Friendly Puter Tech
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  #3  
Old January 10th, 2005, 11:16 AM
SWstudent SWstudent is offline
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Default Re: How ethical is my therapist?

She does not have any sick family members. She is not married and her kids are in college. I don't know how I can talk to her about this. It's a very legitimate excuse that she is giving. I can't say, well you are sick, so what, see me anyway. You are right, I am hurt by that, considering that I am waiting all week, counting days when I see her. If I wanted to talk to her about this, what should I say?
Thanks,
SWstudent
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  #4  
Old January 10th, 2005, 09:43 PM
Da Friendly Puter Tech Da Friendly Puter Tech is offline
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Default Re: How ethical is my therapist?

What should you say? Well, thats sorta up to you I would think. How you feel maybe. Whats on your mind maybe.

I always say - we hire our mental health professionals and we can fire them. They are employee's of us. That attitude changes what could be a really nasty powerless situation.

Just imagine you had a lot of days out because of sickness on your job. Is there a time when the boss would grouse about it? Ask you for a doctors note maybe?

Good luck.

Da Friendly Puter Tech
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  #5  
Old January 12th, 2005, 11:28 AM
jbtmax jbtmax is offline
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Default Re: How ethical is my therapist?

Hi--would you be comfortable asking her if she will be able to see you on a consistent basis? Maybe tell her that is what you need, and if she is not able to provide that, then this is not a relationship that will work for you.... As an aside, I employ lots of therapists, and if this person worked for me, she wouldn't (work for me)...part of the committment is to place the needs of the clients first and it doesnt seem like that's happening. If she does have a legitimate reason, whay can't she talk to you about it? Hmmmmm..
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  #6  
Old January 13th, 2005, 01:25 AM
mugwump mugwump is offline
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Default Re: How ethical is my therapist?

Dear Sw student,

I have been following this thread and wondered if you had considered using the social work code of practice to assess whether your therapist is acting ethically? I also wonder whether the question is also whether you are finding the time with your therapist helpful? Is the relationship helpful to you or is time and energy being focused on the lack of access to your therapist
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Paul Ryan
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  #7  
Old January 13th, 2005, 10:01 PM
SWstudent SWstudent is offline
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Default Re: How ethical is my therapist?

I'll try to reply to everybody in this e-mail. I did not look it up in Social work code of ethics but my thoughts would be that it's unethical - to cancel a session 20 minutes before or when your patient is already there. It shows that she does not care about me, my time or my relationship with her. What am I supposed to think about her professionalism if she does things like that. She is not a social worker, however. She is a psychiatrist. I guess they have kind of similar code of ethics, though. Do I find my relationship with my T helpful? Yes, I do, when she sees me. I am always scared to go see her because I never know till the last second, will she cancel this time or will she see me?
I am not comfortable with talking to her about this issue at all. She might be able to talk to me about it but I am hesitant to bring this topic up. I think she'll come up with another excuse if I ask.
SWstudent
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  #8  
Old January 13th, 2005, 10:27 PM
Da Friendly Puter Tech Da Friendly Puter Tech is offline
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Default Re: How ethical is my therapist?

I am unsure what exactly you are looking for from us.

However, if I may summarize the obvious you have some choices.

You can choose to talk to her about it, and see where that takes you, and how she answers.

You can choose ot not talk to her about it. In that case you will have to decide if you want to continue to see her or not. If you decide to continue to see her, but not talk to her about it then - well - I guess you can try to accept the situation as it is. Although, I suspect eventually your emotions will find expression towards her though.

You can of course also choose to just pack your bags and find another therapist. But if thats your choice wouldnt it be worth it to try and let her know why you are considering that option?

Just a thought.

Da Friendly Puter Tech
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  #9  
Old January 14th, 2005, 04:08 PM
JustBen JustBen is offline
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Default Re: How ethical is my therapist?

Forgive me if I'm being too analytical here, but it seems like you're kind of hung up on issues of ethics and professionalism. If somebody here could give you a definitive answer, would that really change anything? For example, if I said, "According to the Code of Ethics of the American Psychiatric Association, psychiatrists must cancel appointments with at least 24 hours notice when possible." Now what? That doesn't make you any more satisfied with your therapy experience, does it?

If you're unhappy with your treatment, confront your therapist with it. You don't need any "official" justification for the way you feel.
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  #10  
Old January 16th, 2005, 02:50 AM
SWstudent SWstudent is offline
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Default Re: How ethical is my therapist?

No, I guess the best of you, therapists, could figure this out, I just needed a place where I could tell what is going on with my T and let the emotions out. I don't care whether she is "ethical" or not, that's no big deal. I know that I need to talk to her about these cancellations. I don't want to find another T, no and it's hard to bring it up. So, I guess, I needed a piece of advice and to conform that what she is doing is not right.
SWstudent
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