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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by thewriteone on May 11, 2004, at 19:31:42
Bah. I just started going back to therapy after a 3 month absence. I've had two sessions to be exact. After the 1st one my T told me she was going on vacation in a couple of weeks and we wouldn't be able to meet that week. The next session she tells me she's going to be gone two weeks. I was so angry and I feel bad for that. She works hard and she deserves a vacation. I think I would have taken it better if she had originally told me she would have been gone two weeks. I don't know why she didn't. This is the worst, though 'cause I just started back and opened up a lot of stuff and now I feel like I'm on hold. The wound is open and now I get to bleed for three weeks. I had a full blown panic attack right in front of her last session. She talked me down, but now I fear there will be more since that's how it's been in the past. It's just bad timing. I know that, but still I'm angry. She called yesterday to confirm our appointment when she returns and I was so cold to her. I feel guilty for that, too!
Posted by steelmagnolia25 on May 12, 2004, at 8:31:31
In reply to T's Vacation, posted by thewriteone on May 11, 2004, at 19:31:42
I'm going to through a somewhat similar problem with my T. He told me last week that he wouldn't be in town for the appt this week, and by that time (it was Friday) it was really too late to schedule an alternate appt. Alhtough my T has been really great, I felt so letdown by the fact that he didn't try to arrange an alternate appt with me.
When he sent an email reminder a few days ago about his vacation, I responded in a crappy way. Then of course, I felt bad about it. I keep telling myself that he's NOT my friend and I shouldn't expect him to bend over backwards for me, but the reality that I'm "just" a patient that can be put on hold really hurts. And well, I'll admit that my disappointment is compounded by the fact that I'm very attracted to him. (sigh)I was reading some of the other posts about asking a T for a momento of some sort, and that would have been helpful, but I never got the chance to ask. And I get the feeling he'd be put off by such a request...aarrgh!
Posted by Dinah on May 12, 2004, at 8:39:40
In reply to T's Vacation, posted by thewriteone on May 11, 2004, at 19:31:42
I act like a total brat whenever my therapist leaves town, even if I don't mean to. But he understands and isn't offended or anything. He knows it just means I'm scared.
I'm sure your therapist understands too (and I'm sure you weren't a brat like I am). No need to feel guilty, but if you want to discuss it with her when she comes back, it might make you feel better. And perhaps be helpful for future vacations.
Posted by thewriteone on May 12, 2004, at 13:34:30
In reply to Re: T's Vacation » thewriteone, posted by Dinah on May 12, 2004, at 8:39:40
I dunno. I was kind of a brat, but I think she's used to dealing with me. Mostly it just bothers me that her vacation is such an inconvenience to me. I'm a rather guilty person to begin with, so I don't expect that will go away. I think I will talk to her when she comes back, though.
Posted by DaisyM on May 13, 2004, at 1:17:07
In reply to Re: T's Vacation » Dinah, posted by thewriteone on May 12, 2004, at 13:34:30
I doubt you were a brat but I think the timing is really unfortunate. You have every right to be annoyed. Vacations are known to be hard on clients, so I'm sure you can comfortably bring it up and talk about it. I would, just to clear the air for the work that needs to get done.
It is possible that your Therapist didn't think you were invested in the therapy "yet" because you just returned to it. It would probably help her to know how you really feel.
Posted by LostGirl on May 14, 2004, at 18:35:06
In reply to T's Vacation, posted by thewriteone on May 11, 2004, at 19:31:42
I think when you called to make the first apptmt. you should have been told then about the vacation, like "I am going away for two weeks - I can see you before I go, or we can wait til I get back to start."
This is the end of the thread.
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