![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 48. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 10:17:53
Since my T went to private practice, I’ve been paying his entire fee of $90 upfront and submitting the claims to insurance after the fact. He then gets reimbursed and signs the check over to me. I have a $25 copay, so I figured the check would be for $65. Instead, it was for $47. (Mind you, I have tons of claims, so this issue is actually about hundreds of dollars.)
I called insurance and they told me that, as a contracted provider with them, he agreed to accept $72 and he should be writing off the additional amount, not charging me. They also jumped all over the fact that he should be filing the claims, not me, and I shouldn’t be paying upfront. She asked me for his phone number and wanted to call him together to talk about it :o. Umm, no. Of course, I don’t want to get him in trouble.
I’ve heard of others filing the claims the same way I do, I think. Should I be expecting the entire amount back? Or should I just say at least I’m getting $47 back? As of the first of the year, though, my copay increased to $35, so now I’m only going to get $37 back. I know it could be worse and he could just stop accepting my insurance.
Some of these claims go back to August because he didn’t let me know he was a provider (even though he knew I freaked out when he told me he was going to private practice because I would have to pay his full fee.) I know he doesn’t like dealing with insurance stuff, but is he really that oblivious about it all?
It’s all starting to piss me off, but there’s still such a huge part of me that just wants to let it go.
Posted by fallsfall on March 15, 2005, at 11:30:49
In reply to More money stuff :(, posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 10:17:53
I'm so sorry, AllDone. I have been through similar insurance nightmares recently. This is what I've learned:
If a doctor is a provider for a particular insurance, they often have agreed to accept the insurance's "Maximum allowable" fee (in your case, $72). This seems to be the case for you (since the insurance lady said what she did). So, according to the contract with the insurance company, he is *not* allowed to charge you the difference between their Maximum allowable fee and the fee that he chooses to charge - so he is supposed to be writing off the $18. His contract with the insurance company may also require him to submit the claims (and only collect your copayment at the time of service). If these things are stipulated in his contract with the insurance company, then having you pay upfront and having you pay the extra $18 is in violation of his contract. That said, though, the contract is between your doctor and the insurance company - so your doctor may choose to apply his own scruples in deciding how to act. You may have leverage as a customer of the insurance company to force him to follow the rules of the contract (but somehow, forcing my therapist in this way didn't seem like a good way to maintain a good patient-therapist relationship...).
Your therapist may decide that he doesn't want to be a provider for your insurance because he doesn't like those rules (this is what mine does). That doesn't necessarily mean that you can't have your insurance pay part of his fee. It depends on what kind of insurance you have. There are some insurance plans that ONLY pay if you see "their" doctors. But many of the insurance plans that have doctors who sign up as "preferred providers" will also pay claims with "out of network providers".
In my case, my doctor charges $150 and is not a preferred provider. My insurance company's maximum allowable fee is $70.50. I submit the $150 bill to them and they pay me 80% of $70.50 (because they pay 80% of their maximum allowable fee for out of network providers). I own the rest of the bill.
My previous insurance was much better. Same doctor, same fee, still an out of network provider, they paid me 80% of his fee (i.e. $120). They said that since he wasn't a preferred provider that he hadn't agreed to the maximum allowable fee, and so they paid 80% of the fee that he charges.
The really interesting part is that these are the same insurance company (just branches from different states) - one from my former employer, the other from my husband's employer. So either the insurance company sold very different policies to my employer and my husband's employer, or the different state organizations have different rules.
It seems to be virtually impossible to find out what the maximum allowable fee is until you submit a claim. I asked my current company twice what the fee should be and was told both $137 and $112.50. The correct amount is $70.50. I have no idea where the other numbers came from (except that they came from people at the insurance company). They would not "guarantee" those numbers - they said they were "estimates". Somehow, being off by almost a factor of 2 didn't sit well with me for an "estimate"... Don't get me started on this!!!
My therapist is flexible in that he lets me pay my portion of the bill at time of service and he waits for the rest until my insurance company pays me. But I know that if there is a problem with the insurance company that I will still owe him the balance. This is a policy that he has chosen - he could choose to have me pay up front and be responsible for the float myself.
Since your therapist just switched to private practice, he may not know much about insurance. And you may end up being one of the test cases where he learns what he needs to know... Sorry.
Let me know if you want to talk more about this in a less public forum...
Posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 12:34:48
In reply to Re: More money stuff :( » All Done, posted by fallsfall on March 15, 2005, at 11:30:49
Thanks for all of the good information, falls. I thought this might be where it was all headed. Unfortunately, I don't believe my insurance covers anything for out-of-network providers. I'll have to check for sure, but if that's the case, I'd rather he stay a provider so I can get reimbursed at least a portion. But then, he's breaking the rules of his contract. Sigh.
So, my next question I guess is how do I approach him about it? I feel like I'm in a pretty lousy situation. Accept what he's doing and pay more than I should or tell him what he is doing is wrong, which could lead him to drop the insurance all together then I have to pay without any reimbursement. (Not to mention I hate discussing money with him in the first place.)
It also stinks because he knows I can afford his fee. For months, I was paying with no thought of being reimbursed at all. I just don't want to pay more than I have to, you know? I have insurance for a reson. And who knows, today it's $90. He could increase his fee at anytime. I know he's charging less than others in the area with his experience.
Darn him.
Posted by annierose on March 15, 2005, at 13:02:01
In reply to More money stuff :(, posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 10:17:53
Been there, done that. I had the EXACT same issue with my daughter's T. Maybe because she isn't my therapist, I had no problems telling her that the insurance co. did not want me to submit the bills, since she was an approved provider.
Long story short: I only paid my portion of the bill ($50) and she NEVER submitted any claims to the insurance company for the remaining 50% balance ... CRAZY I know!! Now my husband has changed jobs, new insurance so I pay the entire fee, and get a check for 70% of her fee. Every therapist, every insurance policy is SO SO SO different. AND ... I kept getting different answers when I called the insurance co. direct. Finally, they submitted my claims to a "manager" and they sent me a "determination" statement telling me, at the end of the day, what I owed and what they would cover. They looked over my bills and wrote me a check for $450+ .... it was worth the phone call.
You need to fight for payment sometimes.
Posted by alexandra_k on March 15, 2005, at 14:02:26
In reply to Re: More money stuff :( » fallsfall, posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 12:34:48
I don't know anything about health insurance etc etc...
But I think you do need to tell him one way or the other. You are being tolerant about it but he is likely to have other clients who may well not be. It is a favour to him in the long run, he needs to get that right. Professionalism and all...
Personally - I would email or write it down and give it to him. It isn't fair to have to deal with that in your therapy sessions (not considering how much you have been paying for them!) And you need to know for the future how much you are going to have to pay etc etc.
But IMO it really is important that he gets that right and you have every right to insist on that.
If it was any service other than therapy I don't think it would be tolerated...
But I do understand your being hesitant to bring it up.
How about emailing him a version of the post that you posted about this? Sounds like he may need to clarify his situation with the insurance company too... If he isn't playing by their rules then they may stop paying for their clients to work with him and he won't be too happy about that.
You could let him know in a nice way before someone else beats you to it and he ends up in some serious trouble.
Posted by fallsfall on March 15, 2005, at 15:07:25
In reply to Re: More money stuff :( » fallsfall, posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 12:34:48
I did have the difficult discussions with my therapist. There has only been one topic that was harder than this one (that was when I told him I was doing the thing that caused my first therapy relationship to rupture). I will say, though, that the discussion was productive.
Money is a touchy subject for me. It is also an important subject for him. So the emotional content was high. I knew more about the insurance stuff than he did, so I ended up in a role where I was "teaching" him - and that ended up being an eyeopening experience.
We got through it because we really did want the same things - we wanted to continue therapy (at the pace we have been), and we both wanted him to make enough money to continue being a therapist, and we didn't want me to wind up in financial trouble. Since we had the same goals (though different views on those goals) we were able to come to a resolution that works for both of us.
It was excrutiating - I was terrified that I would piss him off and he would retaliate. But I knew that he cared - and I think that took us through the worst of it. It was awful, but I'm glad we did it.
Posted by TofuEmmy on March 15, 2005, at 18:37:59
In reply to More money stuff :(, posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 10:17:53
Consider yourself lucky babe. My T has decided that he will no longer accept any managed care insurance. Since that's the only kind most people have access to - we're screwed. His fee is $150. For near indigents like me, he lowers is to $115. Now just how often do you think I can afford to see him for that price? Once a month is about it. Personally, I don't think therapy 1x per month is going to be beneficial. I'd talk for the first 15 min., then cry for the last 35...end of session - see you next month?
This is the future of mental health. If I knew this is how I knew my therapy would end, I never would have started it.
em
Posted by alexandra_k on March 15, 2005, at 19:50:34
In reply to Re: More money stuff :( » All Done, posted by TofuEmmy on March 15, 2005, at 18:37:59
Unbelievable.
A luxury for the rich indeed.
Thats not fair :-(
Can you see someone else?
I would be pretty pissed about someone requiring me to pay that much when I clearly couldn't afford it.
Them putting me in that position...
Well, that'd be enough for me to say 'screw them'.
Posted by alexandra_k on March 15, 2005, at 19:53:04
In reply to Re: More money stuff :( » TofuEmmy, posted by alexandra_k on March 15, 2005, at 19:50:34
Actually, yeah. I mean I could understand why someone may choose not to take on new people if some insurance company (or whatever) was a nightmare to deal with. Lucky for the t to be able to have that option I suppose...
But what about the committment they have made to try to help people who are already working with them?
You may hate me for saying so... But IMO that is just downright mean :-(
Posted by alexandra_k on March 15, 2005, at 19:54:35
In reply to Re: More money stuff :( » alexandra_k, posted by alexandra_k on March 15, 2005, at 19:53:04
I shouldn't have posted that.
This is one issue that really gets me wound up.
My issue.
Having been unable to get adequate treatment because I can't afford private rates and all...Best for me just not to talk about it.
Sorry.
Posted by gardenergirl on March 15, 2005, at 20:00:07
In reply to More money stuff :(, posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 10:17:53
Wow, this really is a sticky situation. I think I might approach it from the standpoint of "I don't want to get you in trouble, but there's something you should know..." and let him know what you found out. Act as if you think he doesn't know this, and you know he doesn't want to lose the contract. I think if you approach it as doing HIM a favor by bringing it up, it might not seem so hairy.
But yuck all around. Sorry you are going through this. You are entitled to this money from the insurance company. You are right. That is why you have insurance.
gg
Posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 23:32:16
In reply to More money stuff :(, posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 10:17:53
annierose, alexandra, falls, and gg,
Thanks so much for your advice and support. Money is always a difficult topic no matter who is involved, I think. I'll talk (I wish I had my T's e-mail, alexandra - that would be easier) to him about all of this and I'm sure we'll come to a decent resolution. I guess I'm just crossing my fingers that he doesn't stop accepting the insurance completely because then I have to explain to my hubby why I've gone from paying half back to paying the full fee. I've been through that discussion with him before and that's a tough sell, too.
Anyway, thanks again. As always, I really appreciate all of your help.
Take care,
Laurie
Posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 23:40:23
In reply to Re: More money stuff :( » All Done, posted by TofuEmmy on March 15, 2005, at 18:37:59
Emmy,
I'm sorry. I do consider myself lucky in lots of respects and money is one of them. I didn't mean to come across as ungrateful. I know there are many who are in tougher binds than myself and I did think twice about posting this. Probably should have thought three times, though :(.
I'm really sorry about your situation. It sucks and I wish things were different for you. I know it's not a substitute, but please don't forget that we're here for you if things get rough.
Again, I know it's not a great substitute, but are there any Ts in your area that accept managed care insurance?
I'm sorry, (((((emmy))))).
Take care,
Laurie
Posted by TofuEmmy on March 16, 2005, at 10:06:46
In reply to Re: More money stuff :( » TofuEmmy, posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 23:40:23
No pookie....I'M sorry. I was having a pity party for emmy. Kind of in a funk over this topic.
Yes, I could see someone else. But, he IS allowing me to use up my alloted insuranced visits for this year. Those will be up shortly. So whoever I go to at this point, I will have no insurance. This is the joy of living in a non-parity state. It does not matter how nuts I get...unless I go inpatient. I think I have 30 days of inpatient care available. Yippee. So, basically I guess that should be my goal? See my T until the paid visits run out, then do something drastic enough to end up inpatient.
Yes, I have a baaaaad attitude.
em
Posted by gardenergirl on March 16, 2005, at 10:18:41
In reply to Re: More money stuff :( » All Done, posted by TofuEmmy on March 16, 2005, at 10:06:46
If anyone wants to know how they can help make parity happen on a national level, please babblemail me. I will send you a link for writing your legislators. Lets make it happen this year!
gg
Posted by All Done on March 20, 2005, at 12:38:17
In reply to More money stuff :(, posted by All Done on March 15, 2005, at 10:17:53
I don't exactly know where to begin. It was a quick hour but a packed hour.
I tried to explain things very matter of factly. Didn't work so well as I was fidgeting and tense, but I think I got my point across. I told him what the insurance company was telling me. His first instinct was to say that the insurance company can't tell him what to charge. I told him I thought maybe they could because of his contract. He also kept mentioning the fact that we (him and I) had/have an arrangement we already agreed upon. Well, I told him I agreed to that not even knowing he was a provider with my insurance company. He's been a provider since before I met him. Our agreement was made without him telling me he was a provider. Anyway, I just kept asking him to review his contract and call the insurance company. He's going to do that and we'll talk again.
You might like this falls - The only time he seemed to be flustered about all this was when he made a comment about me being the most informed one in the room and laughed nervously.
Now...all the other stuff. Please know I'm paraphrasing and trying desperately to remember what was said and how it was said.
He thinks working out payment is an important part of therapy and it can open lots of areas for discussion, which it did.
He said making a financial investment in therapy might aid the overall investment in therapy. Thinking about this, though, I get kind of mad. Does he think I'm not invested enough without paying more? Or even paying at all, for that matter? No one is making me go to therapy. And I certainly don't drive an hour and fifteen minutes each way to hear myself talk for an hour.
We talked about how I hated bringing all of this up because it was kind of his stuff. Normally, I can look at someone (anyone but him for that matter) and tell myself that they are just another person, like me. It makes it easier to have things like difficult business conversations or inverviews sometimes. Well, what do you know...I don't put him in the same category with the rest of humanity;). He's a T 24/7 right? He doesn't leave his office ever. I hate even seeing him in the hall. As a matter of fact, I hate knowing that he has clients other than me. He didn't know I felt like this.
We talked about the way I deal(t) with confrontation with others (especially my parents). I will typically put everyone else's needs and wants before mine. Even at my own expense. I mentioned that my mom is NEVER wrong, so I gave up confronting her. I felt like he has a little bit of that attitude. When he started sounding like that is when I told him he needed to talk to the insurance company before we talked about it anymore.
Sheesh! There was more. I just can't think of it right now. I believe we got at least a year's worth session topics out of this one.
Oh. And I paid him $90 when I left.
Posted by fallsfall on March 20, 2005, at 14:04:40
In reply to Re: We talked and talked and talked, posted by All Done on March 20, 2005, at 12:38:17
*** Deja vu!!! The only reason I know we have different therapists is that mine is a provider ONLY for Medicare.
>His first instinct was to say that the insurance company can't tell him what to charge.
*** Mine's second instinct was to say that the insurance company *wasn't going to" tell him what to charge.I told him I thought maybe they could because of his contract. He also kept mentioning the fact that we (him and I) had/have an arrangement we already agreed upon. Well, I told him I agreed to that not even knowing he was a provider with my insurance company. He's been a provider since before I met him. Our agreement was made without him telling me he was a provider.
*** Good for you! It is so hard to tell a therapist that they are wrong. Maybe they are just trying to be "assertive", but it sure feels more like intimidation/control. Maybe we are extra sensitive because money is the thing that we give to the relationship, so we are torn between wanting to "do our part" and needing the money to pay for other things.
Anyway, I just kept asking him to review his contract and call the insurance company. He's going to do that and we'll talk again.
*** This is more than my therapist would do, I ended up finding the name/phone number he needs to contact and telling him what he needs to say to them.You might like this falls - The only time he seemed to be flustered about all this was when he made a comment about me being the most informed one in the room and laughed nervously.
*** I think one reason that this kind of discussion is so full of issues is because they really do care about getting paid (we all want to have enough money to live on). But they sure are more interested in Psychological theory than they are in the "business" aspects of things, so the tend to be underinformed. Are most of their patients really so uninformed that we are the only ones who challenge them on these things?
He said making a financial investment in therapy might aid the overall investment in therapy. Thinking about this, though, I get kind of mad. Does he think I'm not invested enough without paying more? Or even paying at all, for that matter? No one is making me go to therapy. And I certainly don't drive an hour and fifteen minutes each way to hear myself talk for an hour.
*** Maybe he was speaking generically - "a" financial investment *in general* makes people more dedicated. This is one of the tenents of therapy (it seems to me). Perhaps he was just going over this as background info. So he doesn't look like so much of a money hungry shark - he is saying that paying a (reasonable) fee is important to *you* as well as to *him*.
We talked about how I hated bringing all of this up because it was kind of his stuff. Normally, I can look at someone (anyone but him for that matter) and tell myself that they are just another person, like me. It makes it easier to have things like difficult business conversations or inverviews sometimes. Well, what do you know...I don't put him in the same category with the rest of humanity;). He's a T 24/7 right? He doesn't leave his office ever. I hate even seeing him in the hall. As a matter of fact, I hate knowing that he has clients other than me. He didn't know I felt like this.
*** Therapy enters a different realm when you are talking about fees. I think they are the only area (except, perhaps for suicide) where the therapist really *does* care what we do (I think they can care about us while accepting that we can choose what we will do with our lives - caring about/for us is different from caring what we do). For the rest of things, I think they say that it is our life and our choice - so they can be happy either way it goes. But with money, it is like the intensity is rachetted up a notch - and this brings out subtleties in the relationship that stay hidden the rest of the time.
We talked about the way I deal(t) with confrontation with others (especially my parents). I will typically put everyone else's needs and wants before mine. Even at my own expense. I mentioned that my mom is NEVER wrong, so I gave up confronting her. I felt like he has a little bit of that attitude. When he started sounding like that is when I told him he needed to talk to the insurance company before we talked about it anymore.
*** Ah, yes. My therapist and I got into a spot where I was "teaching" him, and this prompted some important discussions about teaching and learning (for me, a way big to show that you care about someone is to teach them something - knowledge is one of the ultimate goals). Usually, he is the one "teaching" me. It is interesting how we each pull from our past in this way - so my experience of the fee conversation is different from yours, because we have had different experiences in the past.
Sheesh! There was more. I just can't think of it right now. I believe we got at least a year's worth session topics out of this one.
***And it went on for a couple of session for me... But very productive. Anxiety provoking, but productive.
Oh. And I paid him $90 when I left.
*** Yeah, mine got his way, too. But he was able to convince me that he was doing his "part" as far as the fees went (i.e. he was being ethical/moral). This is definately a "growth" topic. Sounds like you handled it really well.
Posted by gardenergirl on March 20, 2005, at 22:26:43
In reply to Re: We talked and talked and talked » All Done, posted by fallsfall on March 20, 2005, at 14:04:40
Good for you, Laurie. I'm so proud of you for bringing this up. It sounds like it must have been really tense in the room for a bit. And it definitely sounds like it was productive.
I'm so glad they teach us about managed care (at least the basics...each company is SOOO different) in school. Does your T have an office manager? That would certainly help things. Also, he could get in touch with his state organization. I'm sure there is someone there who can help him figure out what he needs to do and can advocate for him if he needs it.
And stick to your guns. You really deserve back claims reimbursement, which means he is going to end up losing some money. I'm sure that the amount he charges you is more than the amount he agreed to charge based on his contract. That's a sticky situation, but you are entitled to have this remedied. It has NOTHING to do with therapy. It's business. It's insurance.
Yes, there are theories that say that a financial committment to therapy makes an impact, but you are too far along for that to mean diddly squat at this point. I pay nothing, and for me it's the investment in my own growth and the relationship that keeps me going. Plus you have your co-pay. The financial committment does not have to be astronomical for it to be effective. It can be nominal or even symbolic (as in my tuition).
Yea Laurie for bringing this up and turning it into something productive!
gg
Posted by alexandra_k on March 21, 2005, at 0:41:28
In reply to Re: We talked and talked and talked, posted by All Done on March 20, 2005, at 12:38:17
> I told him what the insurance company was telling me. His first instinct was to say that the insurance company can't tell him what to charge. I told him I thought maybe they could because of his contract. He also kept mentioning the fact that we (him and I) had/have an arrangement we already agreed upon. Well, I told him I agreed to that not even knowing he was a provider with my insurance company. He's been a provider since before I met him. Our agreement was made without him telling me he was a provider.
Well done :-)
> Oh. And I paid him $90 when I left.
Unbelievable. Really.
He f*cks you over and you pay him for the priveledgeI can't help thinking that money is important to them for the same reason it is important to everyone. And there really isn't any more to it than that. Don't we show committment by turning up? Don't we show committment by taking what they have to say seriously? Don't we show committment by thinking about them during the week? Don't we show committment by doing homework tasks or whatever?
Where else in life are you fairly much solely expected to show your committment by paying a fee? Are you supposed to give your kids pocket money to show them you are committed to them? How about your spouse? How about your friends?
Would they ditch you if you couldn't express your committment with $$$?
I know they gotta live eat have money for stuff just like the rest of us. But I have to say IMO the rationale for such exhorbatant fees is just so much sh*t.
It makes me so mad.
I'm sorry
Posted by alexandra_k on March 21, 2005, at 0:42:43
In reply to Re: We talked and talked and talked » All Done, posted by alexandra_k on March 21, 2005, at 0:41:28
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have posted anything. It isn't about your t so much as my poverty and thus lack thereof. I really am very sorry.
Posted by gardenergirl on March 21, 2005, at 0:50:55
In reply to Re: We talked and talked and talked, posted by alexandra_k on March 21, 2005, at 0:42:43
Posted by Dinah on March 21, 2005, at 10:26:02
In reply to Re: We talked and talked and talked, posted by All Done on March 20, 2005, at 12:38:17
Oh my. When I talked with my therapist about this topic (I thought he was on my plan but he wasn't) he seemed to feel quite injured that he'd be getting $40 less per session than he was currently getting for those sessions that were covered. He said "You do realize I'm not allowed to charge the difference between what the insurance company paid and what I now get from you." in the most injured tone of voice. I felt injured that he felt compelled to charge me $40 more than the majority of his clients. That still stings, yet conversely gives me some power that I enjoy.
But in the end he shrugged and said that's the way it was. He also made some statements about treatment plans and diagnosis codes that I took as being threatening, though he tells me I'm mistaken. I don't think I am. :(
I was reinforced with my desire not to go through an insurance company.
Posted by All Done on March 27, 2005, at 3:01:01
In reply to Re: We talked and talked and talked, posted by All Done on March 20, 2005, at 12:38:17
I'm very sorry, everyone. I wanted to respond to you individually earlier but there were a few things.
First, I started feeling like I wanted to defend my T and I didn't think that would end up being very productive.
Also, I wondered if I was upsetting myself about the situation somewhat unnecessarily. The ball is in his court and I can think about the result after he tells me what information he comes up with. I worry a lot and I guess this week wasn't a good week for me to spend too much time worrying where I didn't have to. My son was still sick and my aunt had a massive heart attack and was put on a ventilator. She was just taken off tonight and they don't think she'll live much longer. My cousin (her daughter) is a bit of a mess and so is my mom (her sister). Understandably so, but they are needing a lot of support from me. The whole situation is reminding me of when I lost my dad, though, and I don't know how much more I can do for them before I get way too sad. I'm already missing him a ton.
But I digress. I saw my T today and I don't think he's talked to the insurance company. We didn't talk any specifics about the issue. If he doesn't bring it up at the beginning of the next session, I will ask what he thinks his time frame is for looking into this.
It wasn't a great session. I didn't really realize until I left, but I feel like my connection to him has been sort of damaged. Hopefully, it's temporary and we can work things out. But until then, I'm left feeling uncomfortable and really, really anxious. It has to do with some other things too, not just the insurance issue, but that's definitely part of it. I don't like feeling so uncomfortable especially when I was just starting to feel more attached to him. It all has me so uptight and nervous I almost called him tonight and I never call. I feel like I'm losing him and that feeling always makes me panicky.
I'm sorry guys. I'm feeling pretty lousy, but I wanted to let you know I *do* appreciate your responses and I don't mean to be ignoring you.
You've been so sweet to me.
Thanks,
Laurie
Posted by fallsfall on March 27, 2005, at 10:04:21
In reply to Re: I'm a bit of a mess :(, posted by All Done on March 27, 2005, at 3:01:01
Yes. I understand. I understand the impatience. I understand wanting to defend your therapist while at the same time you are angry at what he is doing (or not doing). I understand the divide (for me, it really did get lots better - the fee/insurance issue helped us get closer).
Do bring it up when you are ready. Don't feel like it is a taboo subject.
Sounds like a rough time with your aunt. And you need to be support for your mother and cousin. I hope you have some IRL support yourself - but remember that we will be here to support you, too. Let us know what you need.
(((AllDone)))
Posted by gardenergirl on March 27, 2005, at 10:16:18
In reply to Re: I'm a bit of a mess :(, posted by All Done on March 27, 2005, at 3:01:01
Oh sweetie,
We're here for you. And of course you would feel conflicted about this. I bet you want to feel good about him, but the insurance thing is tricky.And I'm so sorry about your aunt. How awful. I'm glad you are there for your cousin, but do also take care of yourself. Let me know if you need any late night IM's, okay? I'll let you know if I can sleep in the next day or at least nap. No worries there.
We're here for you. You can share this with us.
(((((Laurie))))
gg
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