Hi, Treehouse,

And thanks for answering.

I'm seeing the pain clinic counselor today for the first time, as a "counselor" today. When I met her, it was in her role as the clinician for the pain clinic. It is a multi-disciplinary clinic, which looks at every aspect of one's pain.

But, in answer to your question, no, I cannot continue to see her as a therapist continually. She's made it clear that she can only do this on a "temporary" basis, until I find some one permanently. I am going to let her know what happened yesterday. I was hoping to let her know that I had found a permanent counselor, but, I don't think I can after my appointment yesterday. I was very distressed with her answering the phone call. But, I was also distressed with her being defensive about my writing down what we were talking about. I mean, why would she be defensive? (Other than the fact that she knew the phone call was completely unprofessional!)

Oh, one last thing I forgot to mention, too. When I mentioned the DBT, she suggested our local mental hospital, which has a program on DBT. I had already looked into it. The person that runs it and I spoke, and agreed it was not for me. It is for people with borderline personality, and are highly suicidal; many are cutters. With my anxiety, I know I couldn't deal with that. We agreed that I couldn't deal with that. Well, "Meg" frowned and gave a very negative "vibe" when I told her.

I know a "vibe" is a difficult thing to evaluate. But, we all know it when we "feel" it. I try not to be judgmental, but, I am a highly sensitive person, and I do feel things strongly. I do not know if having a "bad vibe" with a new therapist is a good beginning, or a sign of a bad start. Because of a very bad problem with my last counselor, my bearings are way off.

Thank you for your thoughts. Answering a phone call, especially without an explanation that it was an exception as a one time emergency, (i.e. mother or child just got out of surgery or something like that), which I could understand, is perhaps a deal breaker. She is not dedicated to me during that 45 minutes. If picking up milk or bread is more important than I am, (and of course, I am assuming the conversation, here), I suppose I need a better counselor.

Thanks again!

Peace!