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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Looney Tunes on July 11, 2008, at 19:04:39
Anyone have any thoughts about T's that only work part-time or say only work M-T-W.?
Can you really be a part-time T?
What if a client has a crisis when T does not work? Is that responsible?
Are part-time T's more likely to deal with more "run-of-the-mill" issues so they don't have crisis situations?
Does being part-time lead to being over-worked because they are trying to see 30 clients in 3 days as opposed to 5 days?
Just thinking....
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on July 11, 2008, at 19:28:01
In reply to Part-time T's? Enough effort?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 11, 2008, at 19:04:39
The other way to think about it is that they have fewer clients, so each client gets "more" of the therapist. A bigger piece of the pie, so to speak.
Just a thought.
Best,
EE
Posted by Dinah on July 11, 2008, at 19:39:29
In reply to Part-time T's? Enough effort?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 11, 2008, at 19:04:39
Yup. My therapist had another job where he worked three and a half days a week for a while while I was seeing him. He just only accepted enough clients to fill his available time.
On the other hand, I think they need *some* flexibility to respond to client crises, or return phone calls, or whatever. I was in a pretty needy phase of therapy at the time, and he was pretty good about calling me or even scheduling extra sessions after work. In my therapist's case, it was important to his performance as a therapist that he likes his other job well enough. If he's miserable it leaks into our sessions.
I think it can be done, and done well, with some sensitivity and thought on the part of the therapist.
Posted by meme3842 on July 11, 2008, at 20:02:13
In reply to Re: Part-time T's? Enough effort?, posted by Dinah on July 11, 2008, at 19:39:29
Yeah, my current therapist is part time. I'm not sure if I like it. In my head, she seems only half-available, even though she's never really indicated that she's not available if I needed her to be. I think that if I was at a different place, where I needed more, it would probably bother me a lot more.
Posted by Racer on July 11, 2008, at 20:09:30
In reply to Part-time T's? Enough effort?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 11, 2008, at 19:04:39
Mine works three days a week, and it's never bothered me. There have been times when it's been inconvenient -- when one or the other of us have schedule conflicts and one of her non-working days would be most convenient, for example.
She's always available via telephone for emergencies. She checks her office voicemail on her days off and returns calls that sound important. At times, she will come in on a non-working day to see someone in crisis. She returns emails, and returns calls, even on days she's not in her office.
I've never asked her about it, because it was never an issue for me, but knowing what I do know about her and about her life, I would venture a guess on why she limits her time in the office: I think she needs to limit the number of clients she takes on, because I know that she has an emotional attachment to all of us. She specializes in eating disorders, which might make it even harder for her -- I know some of her other clients, and some must be very difficult to deal with. In fact, I know that some take a lot out of her, because she's said so. That's a whole 'nother story, though, which doesn't belong on a thread about Ts working limited hours.
So, in my case, I have no problem with it. There are other situations where it might be very different, though. I'm guessing this subject is relevant for you?
Posted by healing928 on July 11, 2008, at 20:36:18
In reply to Re: Part-time T's? Enough effort?, posted by Racer on July 11, 2008, at 20:09:30
My former t was part-time, and it seemed like he didn't have his priorites in the right place. It's like it wasn't his main sorce of income so when something came up he could just postpone sessions for that time. That is my experience anyway...
Posted by sunnydays on July 11, 2008, at 21:41:49
In reply to Part-time T's? Enough effort?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 11, 2008, at 19:04:39
My T works only part time in the summer - during the year he works for a university as well, but in the summer he only has a small private practice and uses his office there. He is available to me by phone whenever, though, although I know that is limited to whenever he gets a message, so a real crisis one should go to an emergency room because you never know when he will get the message. He puts in tons of effort and is totally present when I am there. And he totally cares about me. He would see me as frequently as I needed, except when he was on vacation. So yes, I think T's who work part time can be effective, and might be less prone to burn out.
sunnydays
Posted by fleeting flutterby on July 11, 2008, at 21:43:52
In reply to Part-time T's? Enough effort?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 11, 2008, at 19:04:39
> Anyone have any thoughts about T's that only work part-time or say only work M-T-W.?
>
> Can you really be a part-time T?
>
> What if a client has a crisis when T does not work? Is that responsible?
>
> Are part-time T's more likely to deal with more "run-of-the-mill" issues so they don't have crisis situations?
>
> Does being part-time lead to being over-worked because they are trying to see 30 clients in 3 days as opposed to 5 days?
>
> Just thinking....I've had both. Two were full time and the one I see now only works 3 days a week. I very much prefer the part-time T. I don't see that she is any less dedicated to her work and even better if there is a crisis-- she can be available at any time on her days off-- so that leaves 4 days a week that she is totally available to emergencies, instead of just two or three days that a full time therapist is available-- as they are busy with other clients.
I think too, it depends on where the client is at mentally-- I was one of 8 children. so I panic and run if I feel that I'm being forgotten, if I percieve that T. has too many clients. I fear being not as good as others so with a part-time T. I don't have as many people to compete with for her caring and empathy.It means more to me than I've realized that my T. is part-time. Yep- I am so happy that she is! :o)
flutterby-mandy
Posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2008, at 23:29:23
In reply to Re: Part-time T's? Enough effort?, posted by fleeting flutterby on July 11, 2008, at 21:43:52
I feel a parttime therapist could be more effective as they have time off and time to rest. And the clients don't all run together in her head. Contacting one might be an issue. Phillipa
Posted by Poet on July 12, 2008, at 11:45:38
In reply to Part-time T's? Enough effort?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 11, 2008, at 19:04:39
Hi Looney Tunes,
My T works 3 1/2 days a week and it doesn't bother me. She's always good about returning phone calls between sessions.
Poet
Posted by raisinb on July 12, 2008, at 12:07:03
In reply to Part-time T's? Enough effort?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 11, 2008, at 19:04:39
Mine works three days a week and I have never felt like she's unavailable because of that. In fact, I like it, because if I need her, she calls me back within 20 minutes or so on her off days. Sometimes she says she's going out of town for the weekend so it might take her longer to call back, but that's not too frequent.
I know she does it to stay home more with her small son, which leads to a whole host of conflicting feelings, but I'd probably have those anyway, knowing about her status as a mother.
This is the end of the thread.
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