How To Tell Your Therapist

[Elphaba]

... that I don't think the therapy is working?

... that I want to quit going there?

... that I have major issues opening up to him and that I am not convinced he has the experience necessary to help?

 

[Jawn]

If you T has email, you might write those things in an email and send them to him. Tell him these things worry you and you want his answers in your next session. You could also write it down and just hand him the note when you start your session. I am suggesting those approaches because I know it can often be difficult to just say those things, so maybe some form of written communication would be easier?

Jawn

 

[Iam]

Good advice Jawn. That is exactly what I do when I can't verbalize something to my T, either email him between sessions or hand him a typed out note as I am leaving the session. It has really helped us to communicate and I am finding that it is easier to verbalize things with him now since doing that. The good thing about doing it in writing is that you can really organize your thoughts and it gives your T time to think about what you are saying and the best way to respond. If your T is good he/she will not be offended but use this as an opportunity to delve deeper into what you are feeling and how you react to certain situations.

Good luck Elphaba and keep us posted!

 

[Elphaba]

The downside of a public health care system is that it is difficult to change. Someone is assigned my case; and there you are.
I don't actually have an e-mail address to use.

leaving a note? Maybe I could do that. I guess it would be more like me to just stop turning up and answering the phone... which is not very mature!

thanks for your suggestions, both!

 

[Skylynx]

Elphaba, I'm so with you! I go to a county clinic and I adore my therapist, but a scheduler writes in appointments sometimes in a week or as far apart as 3 weeks. I nearly die of separation anxiety because I'm regressed to a young age in therapy. T is resigned to this. No emails, phone calls, or emergency appts. I can't afford a private therapist, and I can't leave her just yet, anyway. Drats!