Discussion In the therapist's chair.

[D&D]

The below dialogue took place a few days ago in a room of a well-regarded and suitably expensive psychotherapist. Word for word.

Would be glad to hear your thoughts.

T = stands for therapist,
P = patient.

T: "So you are here today because your manager referred you, right?"
P: "Yes, that is right."
T: "OK, let me just read your manager's letter again." (paper shuffling, clicking on keyboard). "I see. So your work became concerned about your safety and mental health in general after some of the statements you made."
P: "I made no statements."
T: "Oh?"
Silence.
T: "OK, let us start with the basics first." (pulling a sheet of paper from the paper tray). "I need you to read this form carefully, then sign it."
P: "What is it?"
T: "Oh, it is just an agreement between you and me. To keep us both safe. You agree not to endanger your life in any way while in therapy with me."
P: "I see. It is OK for me to endanger my life before or after the therapy. Just not while attending."
T: "Are you being sarcastic?"
P: "What do you think?"

 

[myopybyproxy]

what was their response? did you sign? will work allow you to return without completing the therapy - are they requiring a certain number of sessions completed?

and LMAO 'to keep us both safe' that is, to keep their incompetent ass free of liability and potential financial loss from a lawsuit

 

[Chovyfan]

Wait what happens if you sign it and decide to ctb? What are the consquences?

Or what happens if you refuse to sign?

 

[UpandDownPrincess]

So sign it.

What's the worst that could happen? They fire you? Oh, well.

Even if this person is hired by your employer, they cannot discuss your sessions with anyone.

 

[Wails]

So sign it.

What's the worst that could happen? They fire you? Oh, well.

Even if this person is hired by your employer, they cannot discuss your sessions with anyone.

there is always a caveat when it comes to these things yk. if they suspect that you may ctb they can report you to cops and stuff. that's why I don't even feel safe and understood by a therapist

 

[D&D]

what was their response? did you sign? will work allow you to return without completing the therapy - are they requiring a certain number of sessions completed?

and LMAO 'to keep us both safe' that is, to keep their incompetent ass free of liability and potential financial loss from a lawsuit

They (she) said - "I think you might be. " To which I responded: "I think you might be pretending to care." And it went on like this. Too long to replicate it all here. The only reason I can replicate it is because I had my phone on recording in the pocket of my jacket. In short - work (the place I worked for almost twenty years) requested that I attend sessions until the certified therapist they selected confirmed I am 'safe' to return. Which, in essence, amounts to them having an excuse to push me out while looking good - they have done 'everything they can to help me.' Funny thing of course is that the very therapist they sent me to requires the same - assurance that I am 'safe.' Which, as you noted, amounts to keeping their 'ass free of liability.'

No, I did not sign. I hired a lawyer. For 'shits and giggles' mostly!

Wait what happens if you sign it and decide to ctb? What are the consquences?

Or what happens if you refuse to sign?

Nothing. Not in this place. Apart from some coroner conducting an inquest and concluding something along the lines ... "sadly, so and so suffered from mental health issues for years and, despite the best efforts, ended her own life."

I get fired.

So sign it.

What's the worst that could happen? They fire you? Oh, well.

Even if this person is hired by your employer, they cannot discuss your sessions with anyone.

They have and they can. Discuss anything with the therapist they appointed.

If not for the obvious hypocrisy - I might even go with it. For the reason you said - 'what's the worst that could happen.' But the manner they went about it broke something in me.

 

[Crazy4u]

omG. Another one of the good expensive therapists. The signature is more important to them than your ctb feelings! how do these people become therapists

 

[Feeding Pigeons]

They have and they can. Discuss anything with the therapist they appointed.

WHAT? Are you kidding me? This isn't the 1960's.

 

[D&D]

omG. Another one of the good expensive therapists. The signature is more important to them than your ctb feelings! how do these people become therapists

Yep, that is that. It seems to me that the more expensive they are - the more determined they are to keep their reputation squeaky clean. Hence, all the safe-guards.

WHAT? Are you kidding me? This isn't the 1960's.

I kid you not.

I do not know what was the situation here in the 1960s, only that, in the present time, there is a law that makes it possible in situation when an employer has a reason to believe that an employee might be in danger to themselves and/or others (this is the exact wording).

 

[Feeding Pigeons]

I kid you not.

I do not know what was the situation here in the 1960s, only that, in the present time, there is a law that makes it possible in situation when an employer has a reason to believe that an employee might be in danger to themselves and/or others (this is the exact wording).

Oh the 1960s thing was just a reference to a show Mad Men, where a man has his wife see a psychiatrist and then calls the psych up later asking for details like thats normal.

Thats really disgusting. I don't know how anyone would be able to divulge anything if it isn't confidential. It can't be about actually helping the patient, thats some grade A covering-their-asses bullshit.