Camera In Therapist Office

[GWhizz]

I would assume a sign would have been posted if it was on but not sure what way things work in Canada?

Maybe you could negotiate with him to find out whether it was recording or not. And if so, he could have the recording erased for you? If there was a piece of "evidence", for example, a written note of mine, that my T was holding that made me feel like my privacy was at risk, my T would put me first and destroy it in my presence. Maybe this would help you feel more in control and respected?

 

[Teamwork]

I would assume a sign would have been posted if it was on but not sure what way things work in Canada?...

Yes he did answer yesterday and say it was on and no sign is posted. I'm still dealing with the thought of being filmed even though its surveillance camera for him, it has a totally different thought for me. I struggle too with the idea that no one sees it. No matter how much I try to say I trust him, this idea doesn't come under trust for some reason.

 

[Deadman]

I have a fair bit of experience with CCTV both here in Canada and in many countries around the world. Most CCTV cameras DO NOT have sound. Most CCTV are intended to be visible so as to act as a deterrent to criminals. CCTVs are permitted in Canada as long they are only recoding activity in public areas. There are laws governing the way the footage can be used though.

Audio capabilities are generally included in cameras that are intended to be covert, 'nanny cams' so to speak, and in 'doorbell' cameras.

 

[watundah]

Sound or not, it is still an intrusion into the most private of situations. I would feel our space had been violated and would have a difficult time returning to it. Hopefully he has a space without a camera? I understand how this could be especially upsetting if you were inappropriately photographed as a child, etc.

 

[Deadman]

@Links I understand that cameras are related to your trauma but it might help to look at this from the point of view of intent. Did your therapist intend to covertly record you? Since the camera was clearly visible I'd say not. Did he intend to use the camera for some malicious reason? Did he install the camera with the intention of causing you harm? Or did he just not think about it? CCTVs are so common now that most people never notice them even when they are in plain view.

If its any consolation most CCTV systems automatically record over older footage. Usually systems have about 24 to 48hrs before they start recoding over old footage.

 

[scout86]

If I was in your situation, I don't know that I'd be thinking 'negotiate'. I think I'd demand to know exactly how the camera is being used and how they have dealt with the obvious privacy concerns. If this is a 'thing' that's commonly done, then it is, but in a treatment setting, client privacy is a real and valid concern. They have to take that into account and you have a right to know and be comfortable with the arrangement.

 

[LoveMyNavyChief!]

Hi Links

First of all you are NOT overreacting. A therapists office MUST be a place of trust and security, first and always. Trust is trust, and in a therapists capacity that is monumental.

In my opinion, and if it were me, I would find another therapist ASAP. The relationship with this therapist seems to already be a weird dynamic of him/her taking a superior role and you becoming subordinate, which is unacceptable. Your therapist is the LAST person you should have to be begging for understanding and clarity from. It seems this T has put you in a very unhealthy position wherein you are in a victim role-again.

From your description of this Ts response to you regarding the camera (or lack thereof) shows a very concerning breach. Again, all my opine.

So, were it me, again, I'd stop communication with this T, find another one NOW, and if I needed justification for this for insurance purposes I would specify the camera being present and on without my knowledge and consent and that the emotional damage and harm this has caused me makes me want to sue someone. I would be standing up and protecting myself.


That is a strong and powerful place to be and its helps your mindset by learning that you do have control of who you allow to interact with you. It teaches you how to set boundaries and that is a very good thing for those of us who suffer.

Take a deep breath. You have options. You are not alone here.

Please let us know what happens.

Care, concern and support for you!!!!

 

[nomorechickenlittle]

today while I was at my appointment I noticed what I thought was a camera near the ceiling by the door. I...

Personally, I would be very disturbed to not have been notified of it beforehand. Regardless of whether it was on or not it's mere presence would be disruptive to my therapy and I would consider it an invasion of my therapy session and a hindrance to the trust required to do the work. I personally would be unable to see a therapist with a camera in office regardless of it's purpose or whether it was on or not. Perhaps if it were covered with a box during sessions but other than that no way.

 

[LoveMyNavyChief!]

Afterthought: I see a lots of posts here telling you to interact with this T and use this as a learning tool. I simply don't agree.

This is obviously a sensitive issue.

Many posts liken this to cameras being in schools or in public. This is not that kind of arena. This is a private therapy session. You have rights to your privacy. If the mere thought of camera being there triggers you then it triggers you. There is no need to 'negotiate' regarding that.

Again, my post is what I would do and my feelings on the subject. You yourself have to make a decision that makes you feel safe.

In any case, we are here and I fully support whatever decision you make.

Stay strong and focused and don't forget to breathe! : ' )

 

[Teamwork]

Hi Links

First of all you are NOT overreacting. A therapists office MUST be a place of trus...

I co-pay to top up what Criminal Injuries doesn't cover. It's not that easy to find someone here that works with complex ptsd mind control/ra stuff. I have to give my head some down time so that the sense of being activated settles before I can say what next.

 

[Teamwork]

Afterthought: I see a lots of posts here telling you to interact with this T and use this as...

Thank you. I really don't expect everyone to understand. Who else gets triggered by rain or by cameras ? It just those happen to be triggers that I have to work with and this is my first time starting a discussion thread ever so I'm learning that too

 

[Neverthesame]

I'm the anonymous person from earlier in the thread:

If it helps.
My first experience as a patient in the mental health services was in Alberta. At the Foothills hospital in Calgary.

I got to sit across a rather large room from the psychiatrist I was talking to, going through the details of why I ended up the way I am. It's a hospital I know fairly well, as I have delivered patients to it's ER.

This room, had a video camera in the corner, facing me. (That was recording audio). The big mirror to my right, had several people behind it. Or so they told me.
The really important thing of course is that, they told me ahead of time.

I was not wholly comfortable with this, as most people probably feel.
I got through it because I knew that I wasn't the person everyone was watching. The psychiatrist I was talking to, was in her final year of practicum/residency/whatever it's called in the special services building. All eyes were on her. The other psychiatrist I was seeing at the time, was her attending/supervisor/teacher whatever its called.

All those eyes, were there for my protection. To ensure I was receiving the best possible quality of care. The psychologist I was referred to later for my actual therapy, was also a student. I was on camera for those sessions as well. For the same reasons. No two way mirror there thank God.

The upside of this, was that it was free. Being unemployed at the time made this quite a deal. As therapy is f*cking expensive, even in Canada.
It wasn't long before I stopped even noticing the cameras.

Now obviously you're situation is different from mine was. I still fully respect your feelings about it.

I want point out a couple of things from what you said.

Yes he did answer yesterday and say it was on and no sign is posted.

He answered honestly, right? Even though it is not to his benefit, he was honest with you. I'd call that an olive branch.

its surveillance camera for him, it has a totally different thought for me.

You have every right to be upset and to let him know that this is how you feel. Rational or not, this is how you feel.
Nor is me calling it irrational, a jab at you. I have lots of irrational fears too. They are what they are. The fact that they're irrational, does not make it less frightening.

Maybe you can find a way to use this situation as a way to face this fear?

I struggle too with the idea that no one sees it.

To add a bit on what @Deadman said. (Which is a disconcerting name to make mention of... lol)
I have worked in lots of places over the years, that have these kinds of systems. Most, don't even have a high frame rate. Meaning that a movie that you watch on a dvd for example, looks like motion because it is still images, being displayed at around 25 frames per second. Looks like motion.

CCTV cameras, usually record at around 1 to 5 frames per second. Which means that even if someone was to watch the video footage of you in therapy. There is no way to interpret what is actually being said. As even if the person watching can read lips, there simply aren't enough frames being recorded, to make it possible to read anything anyone says.
All they would see is a series of jerky still images of you in a chair or whatever you sit on in the room with the T. That's it. It would be no different from a video of you waiting for a bus. Or having a coffee at a Tim Horton's or Starbucks.

You have probably seen this type of footage on the evening news, from a bank atm or 7-11 that was robbed. That the local crimestoppers is asking for help identifying someone. This is probably very similar to what is being recorded by the system in your T's office.

If possible, maybe you can get him to show you the footage from this camera?
Though it may not be possible for legitimate reasons, but it would certainly show good faith on his part.

I just wanted to mention all this as information to think about. No judgement from me whatever you choose to do.