Edited

My experience with therapists, doctors and surgeons is that they are all harried and overworked and get about a C- for responding promptly and clearly.

It is frustrating. You don't want to push and be obnoxious, but they can't respond to a simple question.
They spend more effort ignoring you than answering you.

One could ask if you've been seeing them regularly why it never occurred to you to bring up these questions before.
At least, that's the way that they might see it.

In short, I don't know.

Well Rach,

This is indeed an odd situation. To go so far in therapy to get the SRS letter seems puzzeling to me that your therapist seems unwilling to talk to you. If you have concerns at this point, they must be resolved before your move forward! SRS is permanent and for life!! If you are not sure then you cannot go through with it! I do not know your concerns and it is your privacy matter, but if you choose to share your concerns, maybe we can help.

Love

Brenda

A therapist isn't anyone's emergency-now friend. Like doctors, lawyers, CPAs and other professionals they have lots of appointments and the needs of the practice they work in to fulfill. That's exactly why there are appointments: it's not burger king and if you get your way then the questions are: "do my concerns need to bump another appointment to some other time?" and "to anyone but me is this an emergency?"

If it is an emergency you should not under any circumstances wait for the next morning to call your therapist. Instead call 9-1-1, go to the nearest emergency room or contact your local mental health helpline.

If it's not an emergency, discuss the matter at your next scheduled appointment. Appointments are made according to the level of acuteness of the patient's state-of-mind, behavior and emotional stability: more frequently for the acute patients, less frequently for the less acute patients.

Judging by what you've said you fall into that not acute problems patient group. Sounds as if you made monthly appointments.

If this was an issue that's been brewing then you should have discussed it at your last appointment. If it's something totally new and totally unforeseen then you might evaluate just how much of an emergency it is.

You should have had your phone call returned if the therapist said to you they would call. The fact they actually said they'd call you the next day seems unusual to me. Normally you'd get a message telling you that they'd return calls as soon as they may, but would never give anything remotely like a guarantee for a certain time or day. But people have different SOPs.

I've found though that my failure to plan or do a thing properly did not constitute an emergency on someone else's part.

If you already have your letters then you shouldn't be too concerned about "recriminations." If your therapist is as good and recognized as you say they will not do anything to prevent your SRS to go as scheduled. That would be unethical and not very good for the reputation either.

Quote from: N~ on August 29, 2009, 09:33:34 PM
A therapist isn't anyone's emergency-now friend. Like doctors, lawyers, CPAs and other professionals they have lots of appointments and the needs of the practice they work in to fulfill. That's exactly why there are appointments: it's not burger king and if you get your way then the questions are: "do my concerns need to bump another appointment to some other time?" and "to anyone but me is this an emergency?"

Condescending much? Did I say this was an "emergency"? No, I did not. You're making false assumptions. Now, Let's talk a bit about 'doctors and lawyers,' shall we? No need to discuss any of the other 'professionals' you mentioned since it all works pretty much the same way.
MD's...I've been a patient of many doctors over the course of my lifetime. A hypochondriac? No. Anyway, there have been times when I needed to speak with them after hours. And, guess what? They have returned my phone calls every single time. So much for your 'Burger King' analogy, LOL.
Lawyers? They receive a 'retainer' fee. If you request a call back and one is not made within a reasonable amount of time? This time, call, leave a message stating that you expect to receive a return call within 24 hours. No call? You can contact the grievance committee of your state bar or state licensing board and file a complaint.

If it is an emergency you should not under any circumstances wait for the next morning to call your therapist. Instead call 9-1-1, go to the nearest emergency room or contact your local mental health helpline.

Noooo, really? I can do that? Look...I'm not stupid, OK?

If it's not an emergency, discuss the matter at your next scheduled appointment. Appointments are made according to the level of acuteness of the patient's state-of-mind, behavior and emotional stability: more frequently for the acute patients, less frequently for the less acute patients.

Wow, yet another 'you must be dumb' statement.

Judging by what you've said you fall into that not acute problems patient group. Sounds as if you made monthly appointments.

"Sounds as if.." Don't assume anything. Once again, you're wrong...

If this was an issue that's been brewing then you should have discussed it at your last appointment. If it's something totally new and totally unforeseen then you might evaluate just how much of an emergency it is.

"You should have..." Please...Don't tell me what to do. It is not within your rights to do so. Nuff said...

You should have had your phone call returned if the therapist said to you they would call. The fact they actually said they'd call you the next day seems unusual to me. Normally you'd get a message telling you that they'd return calls as soon as they may, but would never give anything remotely like a guarantee for a certain time or day. But people have different SOPs.

"The fact they actually said they'd call you the next day seems unusual to me." Are you calling me a liar now?
"but would never give anything remotely like a guarantee for a certain time or day" Wrong again...

I've found though that my failure to plan or do a thing properly did not constitute an emergency on someone else's part.

Whatever...

If you already have your letters then you shouldn't be too concerned about "recriminations." If your therapist is as good and recognized as you say they will not do anything to prevent your SRS to go as scheduled. That would be unethical and not very good for the reputation either.

"If your therapist is as good and recognized as you say...."

You have noooo idea. If? No 'If's' about it. This person IS the best of the best. Honesty? I couldn't care less if you believe me, or not.

I came to this site with good intentions. I asked a legitimate question. And what do I get? I get talked down to by some apparent "know it all." I don't like being lectured. And  no, I will not tolerate such a thing. I find your attitude to be rude, condescending, and inappropriate.

On a side note: To the others who replied? Thank you so very much for your kind words and genuine concern. I wish you all the very best. Its people like yourselves that make a difference because you truly care - and that's what forums like this are all about. Once again, thank you!

I won't be coming back again. I'm not about to put up with arrogant know it alls. Yup, I'm talking to you...N.

Moderators or site admins: Please delete my account. I truly apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thank you.

Take care!

See ya,

As the initial post is gone, I have no way of knowing what was said and if advice given was appropriate to the context or not. I'm sure N~ was giving advice she felt pertinent to the situation as a professional. That said, one misunderstanding or disagreement on an issue does not mean you should leave. There is a lot of support here and a lot of good discussions to be had here. As such, your account will remain active for a bit should you wish to return and get to know us. I hope that you will.