Bumping Into Other Clients In Therapy?

[Young Journo]

I am a 20yo c-trauma sufferer. I am working in the media.

Not so much that I am 'famous', I'm definitely not a celebrity. But it is to the point that I will sometimes get recognised by strangers, sometimes I meet someone and in the middle of a conversation they will realise they saw me on a TV programme or in a national newspaper. That kind of stuff. On a side note, I do think my trauma pushed me into a field where I can get lots of attention.

Anyways, I had a very intense trauma session yesterday. I was ten minutes extra, and I needed it to be completely honest. I didn't ask for it by any means but it wouldn't have been safe to let me out at 50.

But the point of this post, as I was leaving, I bumped into the next client. And I felt bad in a few ways, I felt bad because my T didn't get ten minutes in between us to get his head together - which I'm sure would have got in the way of him and the client.

I also felt a dual privacy invasion. It also, rightly or wrongly (hopefully this doesn't make me sound too full of myself) made me feel a bit anxious incase she knew who I was, and unlike my T, is not obliged to adhere to confidentiality. I am a bit anxious about how my career can take away your privacy, and I am not 'out' about my issues.

Either way, I hate when I bump into people leaving or going into therapy - even if it's another therapist. What do you think? And although I didn't initiate the ten minutes extra, I still feel bad about it.

 

[mrsps]

First wouldn't worry about the extra 10 mins, if it was a problem for your T they wouldn't have gone over for the extra 10 mins.
I understand your issue with bumping into other clients and Im just a no body lol. I would on the odd occasion bump into another client on my way in or out of a session with my old T and it was awkward!
I am lucky that my new T (works from home) as she has a 30 min break between clients, so I have never bumped into anyone.
Can you maybe change it so you have the last appointment of the day so at least you don't bump into anyone coming out? Also people don't need to know why you are going to therapy, it could be research or something you are doing for all other people know!

 

[Young Journo]

if it was a problem for your T they wouldn't have gone over for the extra 10 mins.
I understand your issue with bumping into other clients and Im just a no body lol.
it could be research or something you are doing for all other people know!

Do you think so RE the ten minutes? Like personally tbh I think ten minutes, although the standard, is not nearly enough time for a T between sessions. One thing I equally hate is seeing the other therapists who work there, I don't know how to broach it with my T.

That is true, like the fact I have a media profile is the anxiety, even though it's probably a bit ungrounded. Like as I say, I am in the media enough to be told I look familiar, or an occasional recognising but most of the time I am incognito.

Even outside that, its such a weird experience. It's strange when you see other clients and you almost image your T with them. You know and forget your T sees a lot of people.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I'm not sure what it's like where you are (as I can tell you're either not in the USA or you're not from here based on your writing), but doctors and therapists bump back appointments quite often. Some operate like clockwork, but imho the good ones don't cut you off just because time is up. My psychiatrist is ALWAYS at least an hour late unless I get an early am appointment. It's because he takes his time with everyone and isn't the typical 5-10 minute pdoc. So, don't worry about it. If the next client is pissed because of getting bumped back, that's their problem and they probably need to take a chill pill.

 

[edgarbedger]

IMO your just over thinking it. Whoever you bump into is there for a reason as well as you are so there's no shame in that. And about pushing the time back, think how would you feel if your T is 10 mins late. Usually when going to a session I feel average to a little eager to talk to my therapist, so 10mins wouldn't hurt unless im having a super bad day which I would then tell my therapist about and hopefully he would acomodate me to fit my needs. In a way it does make me feel awkward at times sitting with patients because their is the stigma that you both need help for your own secret reasons.