Camera In Therapist Office

[Teamwork]

today while I was at my appointment I noticed what I thought was a camera near the ceiling by the door. It didn't really register as a question at the time. Since being home I have emailed the t and asked him and he said yes they installed it last week. I emailed back and asked if it was on during our session and he hasn't answered yet. This has highly frightened me and I'm not sure I can go back. Should he not have told me about the camera beforehand given he knows my history?

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Should he not have told me about the camera beforehand given he knows my history?

If it is on recording, totally should have told you and i believe, if its recording, thats against the law to not tell you and gain your approval. I know all States are different but i believe there is a HIPPA like law federally? I don't know for sure though. Something good to research though. State laws and federal laws of recording without permission.

ETA: And that would freak the f*ck out of me!

 

[Teamwork]

Yes while I'm waiting for his answer about if it is on or not I am having major panic and unable to settle into anything. He said it is for security that they put it in but I don't understand security in a play room where we often work? I thought security cameras were outside. I am so confused.

 

[hodge]

I think you should report him, @Links. I don't know about Canadian law, but I think it is illegal in the U.S. to tape someone without their permission.

 

[Teamwork]

That's what I'm waiting to find out. He said yes it's a camera. He has not answered me yet if it is on all the time. He leaves his office at 2 on a Friday so I hope he doesn't make me wait till Monday for an answer.

 

[hodge]

Meantime, give yourself some down time this weekend. I would be freaking out, too. Allow yourself a pyjama day, eat well, rest, practice self-calming, and work yourself up to report him on Monday. Don't even wait for his response. I would think a camera in a therapy room would be enough to give pause, and it's just his word whether it was on or not. Given that he did not tell you about the camera, I wouldn't trust him to tell the truth about whether it was on or not. Good luck and prayers for you in finding a new therapist. It's hard, I know. But trust is essential.

 

[Teamwork]

Good grief he said he didn't think it was off today but he will make sure it is off in the future. Are you kidding me. I'm not sure I can handle this huge breach of trust. This is too much.

 

[Teamwork]

Ug just wish he could say sorry and not just be like I don't think they were turned off. Who gets to see that footage then? I'm like hugely let down in the trust for safety department something we have spent two years working on?

 

[joeylittle]

Good grief he said he didn't think it was off today but he will make sure it is off in the future. Are you kidding me. I'm not sure I can handle this huge breach of trust. This is too much.

I am not intending to be callous, but I think you are over-reacting.

He made a mistake; people make mistakes. It's appropriate for you to express your upset to him, and to ask that the recording be destroyed. It's even appropriate for you to ask, in an ongoing way, if he's remembered to turn it off (prior to session).

But I don't believe you need to see this as a huge breach of trust. Ultimately, the camera is there to capture illegal activity in the office during off-hours. There could be all sorts of reasons for needing that.

This is an opportunity for you to work on right-sizing your response. You won't help yourself by winding things up to be bigger than they are.

 

[Teamwork]

I'm fine. Won't mention it again

 

[Justmehere]

This is a serious matter in Canada.

On this website, Link Removed, it explains the rights of Canadian citizens to know beforehand that there is video surveillance -

"Any corporation, company, individual, etc who installs this equipment and fails to post that the systems are in use, can be prosecuted under the law for invasion of privacy which all Canadians are entitled to."

I'm sure the standard is even higher for therapists to let clients know they are being videotaped.

I don't believe he was intentionally trying to harm you one bit, but your privacy has indeed been invaded and I hope he takes this very seriously.

 

[joeylittle]

Won't mention it again

That's not what I said. I do think you need to talk with him. I don't think you should avoid challenging your thoughts about the scope of the event.

Let me ask this: in the time you've known this therapist - have you had reason to believe they are malicious or unconcerned with confidentiality?