Therapist On Strike Argh

[Sally sue]

Hello all,

I just wondered if anyone was in the same boat as me and feeling all weirded out about it?

I go to kaiser permanente and my therapist told me last week that they were going on strike this week..she didn't want me to freak when I got a call saying my appointment was cancelled since I'd be thinking something had happened to her...

I read the reasons that the therapists are on strike, and it's because of overly long times for new patients to get appointments, now I feel soooo guilty for hogging her time :(. Why do I deserve treatment when others have to wait too long?

Also, I keep hearing in my head "I hate you" about my counselor, what's that about???

Sally Sue

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I don't think you should feel bad about hogging her time. I think that the strike issue is likely in relation to Kaiser-Permanente and not indicative of therapists/therapy in general. I had that insurance in the past and it was a PITA to say the least.

It seems that the more independent therapists are much more flexible (this goes for psychiatrists, too) whereas the ones who are hooked into some sort of mental health facility have a lot more constraints to deal with. Well, this has been my experience at least. I am willing to drive an hour and a half for medical care while most of my family 'makes do' with local providers. They have to deal with long wait periods, no new patient issues, and short/rushed appointments because of how their facility does the scheduling, whereas I have had none of these issues.

My question for you is why do you think that you don't deserve treatment or that others deserve it more than you do?

 

[Sally sue]

Hi @Solara,

I guess I feel unworthy or that my problem arn't "real problems"...I grew up in a family were my sibs had real problems and mine were drama.

I'm having a really hard week, and many nightmares, I guess I wish she was there but feel it's wrong to feel that need, does that make sense?

Sally sue

 

[Seasounds]

@Sally sue, It makes since to me. Your needs are as valid as anyone's, on both accounts; to have sessions and to have a therapist who consistently shows up! Feel good!

The problem with Kaiser may be more than you are hearing. I'd guess that the therapists feel their load is too heavy, and that what they really want is to have more staff to be hired. Yes, more new patients would be seen to.

You're good.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I think I understand. I have a HUGE 'selfish complex' where pretty much anything and everything makes me feel selfish, even those things which are just basic self care or meeting my own needs. So, I think I understand why you feel wrong to need your therapist.

Although it did just hit me that I haven't had these selfish sort of feelings lately....well, in regards to feeling that everything I say or do is selfish. I guess I'm making progress?

 

[Justmehere]

I'm so sorry she is on strike. :hug:

I read the reasons that the therapists are on strike, and it's because of overly long times for new patients to get appointments, now I feel soooo guilty for hogging her time :(.

If patients were facing overly long times to get appointments, and therapists are striking against Kaiser.... that seems to suggest the therapists think Kaiser is at fault. Not you. It seems that they would like to have more time to focus on fewer patients - i.e. they need Kaiser to hire more people. It means your therapist has good boundaries and WANTS to spend more time with you on your case.

I understand why you feel guilty, but you have absolutely nothing to feel guilty for. I have a family member who works for Kaiser. It is likely due to issues more complex than what you will be able to read about online or publicly. Even if it isn't, Kaiser stinks. Not you.

You are WORTH fighting for. Hold on to that, in whatever small way you can. Others not getting treatment yet does not mean you deserve treatment any less.

Also, I keep hearing in my head "I hate you" about my counselor, what's that about???

Maybe it's because you feel a little abandoned by her? Left to feel vulnerable feelings about needing her? Whatever the cause, it's ok to feel negative feelings towards your therapist. It's part of the process.

That internal message that it is wrong to need your therapist, that's an old message from whoever abused you. They wanted you to believe that it was wrong to have needs.

Maybe the first step is to disagree with the jerks who thought your needs were just drama and take one step towards maybe holding on to the idea that it's ok to need or want another person to be there for you - especially when it has been someone who has been safe and supportive in the past - and will likely be safe and supportive again. It ok and normal to want that! This is something I am learning myself.

 

[Cool Cat]

I read the reasons that the therapists are on strike, and it's because of overly long times for new patients to get appointments, now I feel soooo guilty for hogging her time :(. Why do I deserve treatment when others have to wait too long?

I can soooooo relate to this feeling. Now that I have reached a stage where I still need therapy to grow but not necessarily in an emergency way, I feel almost like I don't deserve my therapists time - especially since I pay half the price. In my session yesterday we were indirectly talking about termination, and at no stage did he hint at terminating the therapy soon (which is a good thing).
He did move my appointment to another time before Christmas so he could fit more clients in thought but I don't mind that.

I'd love to know how therapists feel about it, or other myptsd people

I am willing to drive an hour and a half for medical care while most of my family 'makes do' with local providers.

Same, it sometimes takes me almost two hours to get to my therapist because he's on the other side of town. My local ones are rubbish. I have a shrink up the street from me and I've tried him but he;s not worth it, even though he's even cheaper than the one I see.

 

[BloomInWinter]

Every human being and every society could benefit from access to good therapy. We do not need to feel guilty for using a service that should be considered a human right. The only reason it isn't is because of selfish insurance corporations and for-profit institutions.

I feel angry at them now. I used to feel guilty. But part of my recovery is learning to put the responsibility for such things on the backs of those to whom it truly belongs.

In this case, not ours, not our therapists. I express my anger through social media, petitions, writing letters to my representatives, and speaking out against for-profit healthcare.

If our leaders got therapy, and actually worked at it, the world would be much better off. Selfish &/or corrupt businesses don't want well-rounded, emotionally healthy employees, because they won't tolerate abuse, injustice, nor illegal things in the workplace.

It's wonderful that we are such empathetic people that we feel bad for "taking someone else's spot." But we aren't. The non-empathetic people who decide how many spots will be allowed in the first place and do all they can to limit those are the ones who should feel bad, damn them.

 

[Sally sue]

@Justmehere you almost made me cry :) thanks for understanding and helping me understand what's happening to me better!

It's still hard thinking about her not being there :(.

Sally Sue