First Appointment

[regan]

I couldn't think of a better place to say this, but I have my first appointment with a therapist next week!

[Robert Scott]

Congrats!  I have the name and number to set my first apt...just haven't done it yet! 

[cynthialee]

yay!

[regan]

Congrats!  I have the name and number to set my first apt...just haven't done it yet!

It actually took about a month of phone tag to get it set up.  First phone call:  "I'm not in crisis, but....", "I'm booked for the next two weeks, but I might be able to get you in before that, but I can't promise anything".

My first gender therapist saw me the same day, I should have known, seeing as I turned into his cash cow (what therapist insists you need to see him weekly when you keep telling him you don't have enough to talk about to fill a weekly session?).

[Robert Scott]

Well, your post kicked me in the butt ... I left a message for him.  I don't think it will be too hard to get into see him ... I am refered to him by another counselor and my doctor....we shalls see

[regan]

Well, your post kicked me in the butt ... I left a message for him.  I don't think it will be too hard to get into see him ... I am refered to him by another counselor and my doctor....we shalls see

I don't have the link in front of me, but a gender therapist wrote a piece about the revolving door of clients that sometimes comes through her office.  People make and cancel first appointments all the time, just as much as they hang up when someone answers the phone, when they do show and and schedule the next session they just as often don't show up as they do (usually calling quite flustered with a story of how they "forgot") or call the day before and "something came up", occasionally they will get over their fears and come in for a third appointment (having missed the second one) but many times they're never heard from again.

I would imagine the average gender therapist isn't eager to book a calendar full of people who are just as likely not to show.  Call once and maybe they will call you back, maybe they won't.  Keep calling and eventually they will call you back.

[Theo]

Good.

I've been referred to a counsellor first. I think it is to get me going while I'm waiting for the letter from the gender therapist (I'm in the Uk).

I know from other similar situations that people who are nervous ring up and then don't go. From their point of view they can't fill the diary with appointments unless they are fairly sure the client will turn up because it means that other people have to wait longer for their appointment.