Quote:
Originally Posted by ListenMoreTalkLess
Maybe it doesn't matter to you if you've been asked to switch because your T needs to meet with his student for supervision (and he has probably had a long standing commitment to supervise students) as opposed to being asked to switch for another client, who is a student. But if your sibling rivalry buttons are being pushed because you think that T is favoring another client over you, as opposed to needing that time to supervise another T (in training), then maybe this helps.
It seems to me that no matter what is distressing/triggering you, it would make sense to work through this issue. It seems that your interpretation about what this situation means is really at the heart of the problem. It's not unreasonable for your T or the receptionist to ASK you to switch-- and the word "need" doesn't mean that you are being forced to, people use this word all the time to communicate all kinds of things, like "it's really important to us that this work out, we're not asking this for a trivial reason". And just because someone asked you to switch your day or time, doesn't mean that they are saying you are less important than anyone else.
Why shouldn't you be thoughtful and considerate of your T's schedule, if it is no skin off your nose? Perhaps there are other better ways to "take back your power" than making a fuss about this. If one time is reasonably equivalent to another-- and I see my T at a different time and day almost every week-- so what?
I just don't think this requires as much energy as you are putting into it. If you just don't want to do it, then call back and say you can't make that work with your schedule. You don't need to explain why or pretend that you're sorry, you can just be straight. And then talk to your T about what you heard and what you think it meant to you, and work through it.
My advice is worth what you paid for it.
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First, thank you ListenMoreTalkLess. It does make perfect sense and I wish that all of me could see it logically. Immediately after the message, I knew I was triggered. I purposefully did NOT respond because I feared I might cancel my appointment and avoid the conversation. It has NOTHING to do with the person being a practicum student, student with supervision or just another client.
I am not jealous of T's other clients. Although, I can understand why some might read my post and intepret it differently.
I think it has more to do with me left with the feeling this is a no-win situation. I know this isn't accurate. I would be switched from a Wednesday afternoon to a Monday @ 8:30. I work full time so any changes are difficult for me.