Posted by Cinderella on August 3, 2004, at 15:31:21
A few weeks ago when I was suffering through a post-traumatic crisis after getting my house robbed, on top of my usual chronic pain, anxiety disorder, depression and job burnout issues, I decided to see a therapist. I'd already been through 3 in a year and never felt a therapeutic bond with any of them. I was at a severely needy and lonely level and called this lady and made an appointment with her. She was listed as a therapist on my insurance plan so I went. Little did I know what a flake she would be! I enter the office 5 min. early for my appointment and there is no receptionist there. The frosted window is closed with only a sign that says "payment or copay due at time of visit". If you have ADHD or generalized anxiety disorder, you will miss the little red light with 4 black buttons below it and a small sign underneath that which says, please push button #1 for Dr. Smith, button #2 for Dr. Jones...etc. My gosh I sat there for 10 minutes before I realized I was supposed to push that button to let my therapist know I was there! I had to wait until a seasoned patient came in and showed me how to "check in." I felt so stupid at that point. Finally the therapist called me in. Instead of having me fill out a psychological history in the waiting room beforehand, she used "our time" to have me fill it in. I felt rushed and uncomfortable as she tapped her pencil and answered her voice mail while I wrote. This took me 10 min. to fill out. Now, 20 min of our appt. time have gone by including the 10 min. I sat in her waiting room going "DUH" because I was uninformed about the check-in proceedure. She glances over the history I have filled out and asks why I am here and what goals do I have to work on to get my problems resolved. I explain to her I have no goals, just feelings but she keeps pressing for goals. (I guess so she can hurry up and get me out of there right?) So, I give her a goal: to decrease my anxiety, depression and stress. Then she asks me, how are you planning to do that? Just then, her cell phone rings and she answers it. It's her husband and she starts talking about something she ordered over the internet. Okay, I guess I can handle a brief 5 minute call. Atleast she apologized for the interuption but, STILLLLL!!!!!!! So now, 25 min of our session has been used up. Next I begin talking about my chronic pain which my physician says is worsened by the psychological stress. The therapist chimes in and interrupts me by saying, "oh yah, I have a bad back and sometimes I take a Celebrex and it really kicks the pain. Last week was a terrible week for me and I got the flu! The doctor gave me Temaflu. Have you ever heard of this drug? Do you think I should take it along with the Celebrex! Gosh I just get so nauseated sometimes on those meds! It's just terrible!" Now mind you, this is her talking not me. The reason she did so much complaining to me and asking me so many questions about her meds is she saw on my patient information that I am a nurse. There went another 5 min. talking about HER. The sessions are only supposed to be 40 min now so I have 10 min left. By now, I am just completely shut down and crying uncontrollably. She asked what was wrong and I said, "never mind. I shouldn't have come here in the first place."
What has happened to good therapists? Have they all died? Retired? Or maybe only people in high-paying professions deserve and get the good therapists because they can afford them. I don't know. People have told me, "oh...go to Susan So-and-so" but then I find out she's not on my plan and charges $150 per session. Maybe I just have unrealistic expectations of what therapists are supposed to do. All I know is, I feel like I never want to try another therapist AGAIN. They are all weirdos. Thanks if you read this.
C
poster:Cinderella
thread:373688
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040728/msgs/373688.html