Posted by jane d on May 13, 2009, at 1:35:45
In reply to I apparently haven't slept enough yet, posted by Dinah on May 12, 2009, at 21:35:43
It IS funny in a sort of "can you believe the nerve of this guy" sort of way.
Not to fan the flames but I wonder if he knew about the fire drill. Office buildings I worked in notified the tenants of drills in advance. I remember being at one medical office when they were having a drill in the building and we were advised to ignore it. Patients were not expected to get dressed and participate in the drill. At places I worked people in the middle of projects or meetings also ignored the drills. I wonder if all therapists would choose to participate in the drill.
> Does it seem crazy that at present I want to punish him by insisting on paying the full fee? Not that he'll recognize it as punishment. He'll likely consider me a gracious and understanding client who understand how much this wasn't his fault.
Yes! It seems crazy. It also seems totally normal and something I would do. (which means it probably IS crazy). Don't do it!
It's not his "fault" any more than it would be his fault if he were out sick but it IS his responsibility. One of the things your fee pays for is the office for the therapy to take place in. He couldn't provide that so he couldn't provide the therapy. You are not his income insurance policy!
>But on my end, I think it will wedge a little distance between us, and at this moment a little distance doesn't sound half bad. But that may be falling a bit short in the generosity of spirit I'm trying to learn to cultivate.
If it were me the demand for payment alone would be enough to drive a bit of a wedge. But I think you should show some generousity of spirit and treat him as if he were a reasonable professional Refuse to pay him at all! If he objects suggest that he really needs to get some professional advice on this matter. I wonder if he's ever been in this situation before. You've built a very strong relationship with him over the years. It would be honoring that relationship to explain to him that this is not an acceptable way to behave with you (or with anybody else). Who else would care enough to tell him?
Finally I don't think I'd interpret this as meaning he doesn't care about you. He sounds like the kind of person who demands money from everyone. You know, the ones who if they had to drive their sister to the grocery store would charge for both gas and their time and assume that everyone else did the same. I once had a friend like this. Great person, and a good friend, except was raised with some very wierd ideas about the role of money in friendships.jane
poster:jane d
thread:895355
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090421/msgs/895476.html