First Therapy Session From Hell!

[tphillips117]

Ok, so get this: I've been interviewing therapists. It's not been an easy process, but this last guy has taken the cake. I'd of laughed for sure, if I hadn't been crying.

So, I walk in. I sit down. Music is playing in the waiting area (no receptionist). Even though the classical music is on, I can hear EVERYTHING that is said with the client he has in the room. Finally he comes out. I immediately know this guy is not it. But I drove all that way, I figured I might as well give it a chance. Uh, yeah. Big mistake.

Therapist: "Are you going to tell me why you are here, or would you like me to sit here all day and guess?"

As I start my story, he keeps interrupting me. Then he makes a suggestion. He tells me to write a letter to a person who is nearly unrelated to my story. When I questioned how he thought that would help, he said "Why are you coming here if you're not going to take my advice?" He then called me stubborn and stood up and asked me in a demeaning tone "I'd like to know what's in this for me?" I have no idea what that meant, and I didn't stick around long enough to find out. I was so stressed out by the interaction that I started crying and got up and walked out.

Wow, please kill me now, if this is how finding a new therapist is going to be. I'm not going to make it.

 

[nimkekaa]

That T should not be allowed to be a T. I'm sorry you had to go through that.

 

[Desiresdestiny]

I am so sorry that you had to go through! That guy was a jerk with his own issues. All T's are not there and I've had bad ones but I always have had good ones and I currently have a really good one. A good T will be warm empathetic n will meet you where you are at...

This guy is a joke and he is just projecting his impatience n frustration onto you.. Please don't let him stop you from finding a good therapist bc they do exist and will walk side by side on your journey!

Sending you happy thoughts n a virtual hug!

 

[bethinhfx]

My last T: Got triggered somehow after I confronted him about some stuff. I was very assertive because I didn't feel safe. He started acting weird; threatened I guess. I got really f*cked up after that-- not because of him but because so many other things went wrong--I went to see him just before Christmas- CLEARLY struggling like crazy (financially and otherwise) and I had my last $50 with me and he took it. :cry: The very last time I saw him he said hurtful things to me and I bounced his cheque.

He still helped me though. I told him exactly how I felt about everything and moved on. He was a pretty brilliant therapist so I felt like I lucked in but nobody is perfect that's for sure. They are human right and I think sometimes healers are wounded right? That was the longest I ever saw anyone for and he really did help me but I went of my meds; lost my housing; went bankrupt yada yada: DISASTER! He felt like he was going down with the Titanic I think. Anyway, its a crapshoot. I hope that you find someone that you do well with! Peace.

 

[Chosen]

Looking for therapists sucks. It's really hard. I've been going to so many, trying to find one I can see.
Last summer, I saw one who was very rude, accused me of laughing at him, and raised his voice. I was not happy with him at all.

I go see one on Thursday morning...hoping it goes well. With this one, there's a chance I might be able to do equine assisted therapy, which I think would be very beneficial for me.

I hope you find a nice one soon! It's so frustrating to not find a good fit.

 

[tphillips117]

Oh Lord, this was just CRAZY! I'm still thinking about it because it is so outrageous! I have three appointments lined up for next week. After this exchange, I'm understandably nervous and worried, but on the bright side...it can't be worse!

Noah, Good luck with your new therapist. I love riding horses so I could see how that would be very therapeutic. Hang in there. We're both along for a bumpy ride. ;)

 

[Tinyflame]

"What's in it for him?", :confused:-? Well I guess aside from the money the view of the door and the back of your *ss as you leave(!) :p

Hugs tphillips117, best to run not walk away from that one.

 

[tphillips117]

June, I did just that! I envy people who have a therapist they love. I'm so jealous!

 

[catjudo]

That is seriously so crazy that you have to wonder if it was actually the therapist you were there to meet or if it was one of his other patients impersonating him and the therapist was tied up in the closest somewhere. I'm kidding, really, but that scenario is no more outrageous than a therapist like the one you've described. So sorry that you had that experience, but definitely don't give up hope in finding a good therapist. They are out there.

 

[tphillips117]

Cat, I'm sure there are. But wow, it's been a crazy trip so far! I'm starting to wonder who needs therapy more--me or the shrinks I'm going to see?

 

[Chosen]

So you're seeing three different T's next week? This should be interesting. I can't wait to hear about what happens with them! I hope that one of them is a great fit for you!

 

[tphillips117]

Noah, I am! I'm going on vacation for three weeks and I wanted to find someone I could work with as soon as I returned without having to go through the searching process. I'm seeing two guys and a woman on Friday. I'm a little hesitant to work with a woman, because I just feel like I relate better to men, but I'm going to try and have an open mind.