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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Anemone on March 30, 2011, at 20:26:35
Hi Everyone,
I have always wanted to participate more here but I don't know everyone's stories and feel scared of saying the wrong things. I hope it's OK to talk anyway.
My T has given me a 90% discount for the past year. Her full fee is $100 but she charges me $13, which is my hourly wage at my job.
I am super grateful and ashamed... If I had to pay her full fee, I could afford to see her only 3 times a year.
I always tell her I will work hard on my career to make a better living so I can pay her full fee. But, a year later, my money situation has gotten worse.
I am busier than ever working my day job and painting in my spare time to build up a portfolio of good art work, but living costs more and more and I can't seem to keep up, despite being extremely frugal.
I will keep trying to solve this, but meanwhile I am feeling very pressured to cut out costs.
For the past few months, I 've been seeing her once every 3 weeks (instead of the 3 times a week she recommends for my anxiety).
I tell her I can't see her often because I am busy with painting, which is true.
Another reason I can't see her as often is money, but I can't tell her that because she has already given me the biggest discount ever. I am afraid she'll be mad if I tell her that I can't afford to see her as often as I actually need.
So, I miss her terribly and tell myself to wait, and wait and wait, until I have a reason that qualifies a visit to her......(she lets me decide when I see her, there is no strict schedule)
Technically I can survive without seeing her, sort of. Isn't buying food more important than therapy?
(except one day I will kill myself out of melancholy and missing her).
Thanks, I just wanted to confess this. I hope you won't lecture me. I am trying my best to make things work.
Posted by Anemone on March 30, 2011, at 20:47:41
In reply to I just want to talk... please don't laugh., posted by Anemone on March 30, 2011, at 20:26:35
It hurts me to not be able to pay her more. I love her and I'd pay her 99999 zillion dollars if I could. She deserves it. I hope I can pay her back one day.
Posted by sigismund on March 31, 2011, at 2:11:27
In reply to I just want to talk... please don't laugh., posted by Anemone on March 30, 2011, at 20:26:35
>Her full fee is $100 but she charges me $13, which is my hourly wage at my job.
Hats off to her, especially for what is after the comma.
I love her already.
Posted by sigismund on March 31, 2011, at 2:12:14
In reply to Re: I just want to talk... please don't laugh., posted by Anemone on March 30, 2011, at 20:47:41
>I love her and I'd pay her 99999 zillion dollars if I could.
And I love that too.
Posted by sigismund on March 31, 2011, at 2:17:41
In reply to I just want to talk... please don't laugh., posted by Anemone on March 30, 2011, at 20:26:35
I've been so excited by these posts that describe decent ethics.
Sounds good to me.
But you need more money.
Surely she would assume that you are reticent about not having enough money to see her as often as you would like?
Posted by Anemone on March 31, 2011, at 12:28:58
In reply to Re: I just want to talk... please don't laugh., posted by sigismund on March 31, 2011, at 2:17:41
Thank you Sigismund, for "listening". I appreciate all your comments!
It cheers me up too when therapists have decent ethics.
I still don't know if I will talk about this. It's hard and shameful to admit how badly I am doing with money, and sounds so ungrateful when she has given me so much.
Posted by tetrix on March 31, 2011, at 19:12:36
In reply to Re: I just want to talk... please don't laugh. » sigismund, posted by Anemone on March 31, 2011, at 12:28:58
I am glad to know that there are decent therapists out there. She really cares about you and about the true calling of this profession, which is helping people.
My therapist refused to give me a discount when I had financial difficulties saying what's extra 15$ for you? And speaking of ethics, I am yet to hear from her about my next appointment question that I left on her voice mail 3 days ago.
Posted by Anemone on March 31, 2011, at 20:03:34
In reply to Re: I just want to talk... please don't laugh., posted by tetrix on March 31, 2011, at 19:12:36
Tetrix,
I feel so badly for your therapist's lack of understanding for your money situation. I can imagine how you would feel. It's not good that she still hasn't called you back, it's probably harder to plan your time if you can't settle your appointment.
I am so sorry this is happening. I hope there is a good reason for her behavior. Have you been with her for a long time?
Posted by Sleepygirl II on March 31, 2011, at 22:29:42
In reply to I just want to talk... please don't laugh., posted by Anemone on March 30, 2011, at 20:26:35
Why would anyone laugh? Your post is perfectly understandable.
This is the end of the thread.
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