To Buy Or Not To Buy Tdoc A Christmas Gift?

[Reds]

What are your thoughts about buying a Christmas gift for your t?

 

[Barberian]

Nope. He's getting paid for his services. He's not a friend. We don't socialize outside of the office.

 

[DMerish]

^ Ditto ^ :tup:

I really, really like my T. But (1) she's getting paid nicely for her services (2) she and her husband's combined incomes are probably five times more than mine (3) I have a very moderate income and tight budget, and I'm looking at retiring well before my T is so, (4) the most I would do is send a holiday card.

 

[Reds]

But I like my t so much and would like to buy her something small just to say thank you for putting up with me all these crazy months. Maybe a flower, nothing fancy really

 

[DMerish]

He/She didn't "put up with" you!

He/She educated and trained themsleves to be with and help people with different problems and be able go home at the end of the day. But it's your T and your money and there's nothing bad about wanting to tell someone "thank you." No, not at all, and you don't need to ask us if you should or shouldn't, nor defend yourself for wanting to to give a gift. Just do what you want to do.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I gave my therapist a gift last year. I got him one of my favorite Bollywood movies. I made sure it was inexpensive and nothing to personal. The movie was less then 10 dollars on Amazon.

This year I am not sure. I may at least get him a card but I haven't given much thought to a gift this year. My boundaries are changing a bit and I have noticed that this year I may not feel comfortable getting him anything.

But it's your T and your money and there's nothing bad about wanting to tell someone "thank you."

I agree with @DMerish There is nothing wrong with Thank you, just remember that it's a professional relationship, not a personal one...So the gift choices are different.

 

[mytai]

It sounds like you've already made up your mind about what you want to do. You're going to get mixed feelings about giving T's gifts here. They are not a friend, no matter how much you like them or appreciate them. I've never personally had a T long enough to have a strong connection with them, therefore I've never felt the need to give anything as a gift.

Sometimes I bring my T stuff from work, but I always ask if she is interested first before I do.

I would say go with your gut, if you want to get you T a gift go ahead, but keep in mind it isn't meant to be that kind of relationship.

 

[WillyKat]

Just say thanks or Happy Holidays or something.

For one thing, your therapist probably has not spoken much about her/his beliefs. And I assume you don't want to wish Merry Christmas to a Jew, for example.

Based on my T's name, I could guess that she's Jewish, but for all i know, maybe she worships frogs and I don't know that there's anything special about this time of year for frog-worshipers.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Good point @WillyKat.

 

[Lifeline]

I think the protocol is under $10-15 but anything over becomes a little fuzzy with boundaries.

 

[Reds]

@Willikat, she is Christian. I just wanted to get different views about buying T a gift. I still haven't decided if I will or will not buy her a gift. But I also believe she has gone beyond her call of duty to help me

 

[macca]

I was thinking about the same thing, but maybe more for my son's psychologist (he has anxiety/ocd), as we've been seeing her for a while and she's been great. But it would be something very small, like a bar of handcrafted soap or something.