Posted by Dinah on August 4, 2002, at 19:12:44
In reply to The bad side of therapy...advice wanted!, posted by Raven on August 4, 2002, at 18:29:38
Raven, my only advice is to not take it personally. The rules were created to protect all patients from confusion or boundary violations, and they can't break them for one patient because, well, that would cause confusion and boundary violations. :)
They just want to make sure they are giving you the best they can in therapy, and that nothing else gets in the way. I can see a few things that might happen if you were to volunteer that would affect the therapeutic relationship. And as I'm sure you probably know, the therapeutic relationship doesn't end at termination.
I'm sure they appreciate your offer and like your work, and it's not at all personal. It just can't be done. They should have told you earlier, and not left you hanging. But other than that, I think they are doing the professionally appropriate thing.
But that doesn't mean you can't take your talents to volunteer elsewhere. I'm sure many small non-profits could use what you can offer and you could do a lot of good, while not jeapardizing the sanctity of the therapeutic relationship.
By the way, it sounds like you've been through quite a lot. That you are happy and excited about giving of yourself is terrific!
Dinah
poster:Dinah
thread:28080
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020804/msgs/28083.html