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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Speaker on September 6, 2004, at 22:08:33
Last week my T asked me if I wanted to make contact between appt.s since we weren't going to meet on Labor Day. I said yes and he said we could talk on Tues...all that was fine. Then he said call his office Tues. morning and let them know I wanted him to call me...sorry that bugs me. I already told him contact would be nice - why do I have to call in...just to remind him - no thanks! If he can't make a note forget it...it makes me feel like I'm not very important. I'm in sales and I know if I tell someone I'll call I don't ask them to remind me. I am just wondering what all of you would do. I can wait to see him on Friday.
Posted by Dinah on September 6, 2004, at 22:14:28
In reply to Therapist Calling, posted by Speaker on September 6, 2004, at 22:08:33
Just a guess, but I think my therapist would do the same and his reason would be that old taking responsibility for my therapy thing. And maybe boundary issues too. My therapist would probably think that even a prearranged call should be initiated by me, because he's not at all keen on therapist initiated calls. He thinks they set up unrealistic expectations or something.
Of course, he's so darn disorganized that all those surface reasons might just cover the fact that he's afraid he'd forget and I'd be irate.
Posted by daisym on September 6, 2004, at 22:44:59
In reply to Therapist Calling, posted by Speaker on September 6, 2004, at 22:08:33
I find this sort of weird too. I've made phone appointments with my therapist before. We pick a time, just like we would do for a regular appointment. He calls me typically but I'm expecting his call. He writes it down in his appointment book. We've made appointments a week out for calls, so I don't get why he didn't just write it down.
Perhaps he computerizes his appointments and they need to work calls into his schedule? He might not keep his own book. Just a guess.
I wouldn't take it personally if this is his habit with everyone. If you want to talk to him, let it go and just assume it is an office policy. Some places might do this for billing purposes. But I would ask him about it.
Posted by Speaker on September 6, 2004, at 22:52:52
In reply to Re: Therapist Calling, posted by daisym on September 6, 2004, at 22:44:59
Hey Daisy,
How are things with your family...is you husband ok?
I will talk to my T...it was at the end of our session and when I got to the car I was like WHAT...I have to tell you again. He doesn't charge for phone calls and in a year I have only talked with him a couple of times. I think he was afraid he would forget...but then that makes my point that I'm just an hour in his appt. book. I'm probably to harsh with him but I'm just tired of the game. I did tell him what I wanted and now it's his choice to call or not. I won't call tomorrow but I will talk to him about it on Friday. I just wondered if this was normal.
Posted by fallsfall on September 7, 2004, at 7:58:34
In reply to Therapist Calling, posted by Speaker on September 6, 2004, at 22:08:33
He could want you to call on Tuesday to confirm that you still DO want to talk to him. Perhaps he thinks that you might feel differently on Tuesday and not feel the need to talk to him before Friday - and in this case he might prefer to skip the phone call.
So maybe he just wants to know if you still want the call (without actually getting into the call to find out...)?
Posted by lucy stone on September 7, 2004, at 8:44:48
In reply to Therapist Calling, posted by Speaker on September 6, 2004, at 22:08:33
If this were my T we would set up a time to talk and then I would call him. He would be expecting the call and would answer on he private line, not going through the receptionist. It would, however, be considered a phone session and I would be charged. If I just need to touch base I would call in the morning and he would call back, but it would just be a conservation of 15 minutes or less and I would not be charged. I think he wouldn't initiate the call just to touch base because he thinks like Dinah's T and would expect me to take charge of my therapy. In addition, if he initiated the call I might be in a situation where I couldn't talk, like being with my family or a co-worker. I would either have to find a private place or call him back. It would work better, I think, to have the time prearranged.
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on September 7, 2004, at 14:43:51
In reply to Therapist Calling, posted by Speaker on September 6, 2004, at 22:08:33
Speaker,
Count yourself lucky he doesn't charge for calls. If mine goes over 5 minutes he charges!
Posted by Speaker on September 7, 2004, at 15:31:04
In reply to Re: Therapist Calling, posted by Miss Honeychurch on September 7, 2004, at 14:43:51
So much for feeling cared for :).
Posted by Sebastian on September 8, 2004, at 11:46:12
In reply to Therapist Calling, posted by Speaker on September 6, 2004, at 22:08:33
Maybe he wanted you to call, have a message sent to him that you called, and when he is between appointments he can call you back.
Posted by Speaker on September 8, 2004, at 14:50:18
In reply to Re: Therapist Calling, posted by Sebastian on September 8, 2004, at 11:46:12
Your Right, that's exactly what he wanted! The thing is I thought it was about what I wanted. I asked if we could set a time for him to call. I don't like calling the receptionist. I think if I asked once that should be enough. It will be interesting to see what he says on Friday.
This is the end of the thread.
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