My Friend And I Think I Should Change Therapists

[qwyoey]

My friend suggested again today that I should change therapists. It's been a week since my therapist sai...

Also I just wanted to point out that a week isn't very long for most professionals to prepare this documentation and to get releases. Are these letters needed by a certain date? Did you ask the letters to be done by a certain time? "If I need them" doesn't sound like the correct language to communicate that something was essential and needed to be done at a certain time to me.

 

[Iyllsa]

I am okay with waiting for the letters. The main things that I don't really like about my therapist is how she talks when my parents are mentioned because she talks as if what I speak of isn't true, or she thinks my parents have changed or can. My parents have been the way they have for all my life and won't change unless they choose to by their own judgement.

I've told her how my parents reacted the last time I had a problem with my mental health. I was sent to a hospital, and although I was able to fake content and happiness(leaving the whole staff confused about my admission), my parents came to visit and the first thing they said was how much of a burden I was and how I was selfish for taking money out of their pockets. I made them look bad.

They look down on people who can't take on as much as they can. They expect me to be "strong and able" like them when I'm not. They don't take my diagnoses seriously, the ones they know of, even when I have an x-ray to back me up.

Despite all that and descriptions of the type of abuse I went through, my therapist still insists that "I know they're safe because they've improved." It's not that they're any more safe, it's that I grew up with them and have found ways to keep myself as safe as I can.

I don't really like how she pushed aside my depression. She doesn't believe I'm depressed and didn't really do much after I opened up about my suicidal thoughts, plans, and/or about my past suicide attempts. After a while of us talking she finally said, "You have mild depression here and there."

 

[Iyllsa]

Also I just wanted to point out that a week isn't very long for most professionals to prepare this docum...

The letters are not like an actual documentation, as far as I know. It's simply a letter that will state something like,

"After working with____ I believe that _____ would benefit from this sort of treatment."

and/or

"_____ has expressed interest in medication. I____ believe she would benefit this as well."

As far as I know, they are short letters which is why my friend is upset. I'm a bit impatient because I feel I really need medication, but I'm not upset at her taking a while because I understand my therapist is very busy with other stuff and other patients.

*benefit from this as well."

I meant.

 

[qwyoey]

*benefit from this as well."

I meant.

I'm sorry, I guess I don't understand the purpose of the letters if they are not to become part of official documentation and support. Also are you aware you need to sign a legal release for these? As she is not a psychiatrist (right?) then I cannot see why you need a letter from her about medication. If you want her to communicate with your doctor or your psychiatrist, all you need to do is sign a medical release and she can call either of them.

 

[qwyoey]

I'm sorry, I guess I don't understand the purpose of the letters if they are not to become part of offic...

And if you feel medication is an emergency, I would suggest communicating immediately with either your PCP or your psychiatrist.

 

[Iyllsa]

I'm sorry, I guess I don't understand the purpose of the letters if they are not to become part of offic...

She's going to write the letters to me so to follow confidentiality and she told me I can use them however..

For medication, she says she can sign a release form if needed.

The letter is not for medication, is for other treatment options(such as a recommendation) that she's planning on having me show to my parents. I've been going to her for a year and they don't know so she wants me to tell them through a letter that:

1. I'm going to therapy.
2. I would benefit from a service dog. (something we talked about a long time along with my other doctors.)

I feel like this is all so sudden for my parents and I feel like it would go south because not only am I telling them about a long kept secret, but to have someone believe I'd benefit from an animal.. they'll think I manipulated the therapist or something. Then they'll tell all of their friends that I'm in therapy and talk bad about me OR they'll make me feel ridiculous or stupid for going to therapy because "nothing is wrong with me" and I just need to suck it up. They'll just have another reason to belittle me.

 

[qwyoey]

You've said your parents are abusive. Are you still in contact with them? Living with them?

 

[Deleted member 43031]

My friend has mentioned this to me before, in the past, and I think I've thought about it myself. I'm no...

Its about your comfort and if you feel in your gut that this therapist is not taking you seriously, absolutely bring your friend in. It's not about making your therapist comfortable - its about you feeling safe and totally supported in the therapeutic setting. I would mention it to her that are bringing in your friend to a session, giving her a heads up is reasonable. Wishing you the best.