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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CujoBuddy on May 8, 2008, at 2:23:16
Hello & Greetings from a new member
I've discovered this board, and I wanted to get some general feedback on an issue of concern.
A little background first. I have dual-diagnosis/comorbid disorders of chronic major depression & alcoholism. Both are on the severe end of the spectrum.
Because I am unemployed (and unable to work) for a few years, I am currently working with the state-funded local county mental health agency. I have had some difficulty with a previous therapist, and also a Physicians Assistant (who thinks he's a full fledged Psychiatrist). The difficulty came from what they said to me, not from my behavior or what I had said. I complained about their behavior, but to no avail.
I have worked with some good people at this clinic, and have never had problems like this in the past 20 years.
I was assigned to a new therapist, who is well known to be questionable competant & somewhat abusive/intimidating towards patients. I asked the supervisor of the therapists if the agency has any problem with me using a digital recorder to record the sessions. He said there is no formal policy, just make sure to get the therapist is okay with it. When I asked the therapist, she got very defensive & antagonistic, and said no. She claimed it was a violation of HIPAA (which I verified was NOT a violation of HIPAA with a local attorney), and then said she did not want to have the tapes used against her. I pointed out that if she is doing her job the way she is supposed to, then there is nothing to worry about. She got more angry, so I let it go, without pushing anymore.
Needless to say, in the very next session, she began accusing me of faking my depression, and of not doing anything to get better. She knew nothing of my history, as she never gave me a chance to share it. Her behavior continued this way throughout this session, telling me that my depression is not an illness but a choice, blah blah blah. We parted company in the middle of the third session, and I have requested a competent therapist.
Sorry to have carried on a bit here, but I am upset & angry about my treatment.
So the question is: Was I appropiate in asking to record the sessions? (even though I could not, because she said no) Anyone have any feedback on this?
Thank you
Posted by raisinb on May 8, 2008, at 9:09:50
In reply to Recording therapy sessions - for my own use, posted by CujoBuddy on May 8, 2008, at 2:23:16
Sounds like this definitely isn't the therapist for you. I'm sorry you have had to go through that.
I vaguely remember asking a therapist friend when I first started therapy if it was generally accepted to tape the sessions. She said most people didn't, but you could if the T was okay with it. I don't think it is common, but it's certainly not a crime.
Posted by Dinah on May 8, 2008, at 9:19:11
In reply to Recording therapy sessions - for my own use, posted by CujoBuddy on May 8, 2008, at 2:23:16
My therapist says there's never anything wrong with my asking anything, ever. I'm always free to ask. The answer may be no.
You checked with the agency, they said it was ok if the therapist said yes, and you didn't tape when she said no.
I think it would only have been inappropriate if you taped her without her permission, and that is not what you did.
I think you were right to ask for a new therapist, and I hope you've reported the behavior of this therapist to the agency. They might not criticize her to you, but hopefully they'll talk to her and keep a closer eye on her.
I hope they are responsive to your requests.
Posted by muffled on May 8, 2008, at 9:41:45
In reply to Recording therapy sessions - for my own use, posted by CujoBuddy on May 8, 2008, at 2:23:16
Cujobuddy,
Welcome to babble!
Sorry you had the run in with the crappy T :-(
I too wanted to record sessions at one time because I couldn't remember them.
But my T was not comfortable with it, I dunno why. It was earlier on in my T w/her, so I never asked why.
So I did not record.
Would like to have though, just to remember.
Muffled
Posted by B2chica on May 8, 2008, at 9:53:13
In reply to Recording therapy sessions - for my own use, posted by CujoBuddy on May 8, 2008, at 2:23:16
W O W!!
did you get a BAD ONE!first, it is NOT a violation of HIPPA. the information protection is for them for YOU, not the other way around. if They recorded you (which they can with consent forms there are just regulations in which they need to afform to). If YOU want to record the session it is just a matter of the therapist O.K.-ing it.
a NORMAL response from a non-defensive therapist would be "why do you feel you want to record the sessions?" and the conversation would go from there hopefully making the patient feel comfortable about the relationship and making them feel safe in the environment since that would normally be the issue.
Also, the Therapist will MANY time ask for copies of the tapes.but to have such a reactive action that alone rings the bell and raises that ever so brilliant red flag.
i would not only have left the office i would have ran screaming as far away as possible.you did NOTHING wrong from what you have written.
but i tell you during my quest to find a therapist i did come across a jumpy therapist somewhat similar to one you describe. i wanted to run not walk out of her office.i do think that it is not in the norm for patients to ask to record sessions but it is NOT unheard of either. you were not asking an unreasonable or beligerant type question.so as to evoke SUCH a response from her. (again wow)
i truly hope you can switch to someone else. because now no matter what happens that person apparently has pegged you as someone whom you are not. i mean seriously...you choose to be depressed?? Who does that?? and what kind of therapist says that? WTF?!! SERIOULSY!! are you kidding? can you say license revoked anyone?
sorry but you got me worked up. i hate that people like that are even in practice. i think it's a little too easy for people to get licensure around here sometimes. WTF.
well, i wish you seriously all the luck with a next therapist.
here's sending you extra good vibes you deserve. i mean it's bad enough people don't always look for the help they need, that when they do they get THAT??????
sorry, off again..
anyway, here are those peaceful intelligent vibes
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>best wishes
b2c
Posted by Poet on May 8, 2008, at 11:46:30
In reply to Recording therapy sessions - for my own use, posted by CujoBuddy on May 8, 2008, at 2:23:16
Hi CujoBuddy,
Welcome to babble, I'm glad you found us.
Recording sessions is not a HIPPA violation unless the therapist was recording it without your permission and sharing it with others. I think this therapist realizes that she is not professional and is worried that someone will have the proof to expose her. Which is a pity that someone doesn't as I can't believe a therapist would say that depression is a choice. She gets one extra hard cyber slap to the head for that thoughtless remark.
I hope you can find a different therapist, this one clearly has issues that she needs to resolve long before she should be seeing any clients. You deserve better and I hope you find someone who understands depression and why you would want to tape sessions.
Poet
Posted by rskontos on May 8, 2008, at 13:34:34
In reply to Re: Recording therapy sessions - for my own use » CujoBuddy, posted by Poet on May 8, 2008, at 11:46:30
Well my new friend to Babble, welcome
and it looks like you hit the jackpot or crackpot first time out of the gates. Sorry you went through that crap. I am glad you had the wisdom to dump her before she caused you harm.
I would have probably gone off on her or collapsed in a sobbing heap either way it would have been ugly.
I hope she actually feels Poet's cyberslap! lol
She needs to be reported and find new gainful employment.
Good luck with getting a new therapist.
rsk
Posted by CujoBuddy on May 8, 2008, at 17:42:10
In reply to Re: Recording therapy sessions -CjuoBuddy, posted by rskontos on May 8, 2008, at 13:34:34
Thanks to everyone for the supportive feedback. I was pretty sure that I wasn't crossing any lines, but it certainly never hurts to check with others who have experience in working with therapists.
I will go ahead with a formal complaint against this therapist, but, unfortunatley I doubt it will do much good. I live in a very rural area now (have lived in Chicago & metro-Detroit in the past), and it sure is quite a challenge to get a decent therapist here. Unfortunately, there seems to be a higher concentration of 'less-competant' mental health professionals 'hiding out' in this state funded agency.
But, that's not a reason to stop trying to move forward!
Posted by B2chica on May 9, 2008, at 14:06:37
In reply to Re: Recording therapy sessions -CjuoBuddy, posted by CujoBuddy on May 8, 2008, at 17:42:10
what a great attitude CB.
i am Very glad to hear you are going to go forward and report her. whether or not it does anything it will be a formal complaint and maybe if several are made SOMETHING will be done about it.
you are strong my friend.
good for you.Best Wishes!
b2c.
This is the end of the thread.
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