you know what? i think that is TERRIFIC that the p-doc does that :-)

why do i say that? because i've been through the public system enough to know that when therapists are simply assigned to patients (and when patients are simply assigned to therapists) there are an awful lot of unsuitable matches that can be detrimental to both patients and therapists alike. nothing sucks more than fairly much having to try and work with someone who you simply don't click with (and where the only other option is 'no treatment')

sounds to me that the p-doc has the opportunity to take proper care of themself and also the opportunity to take proper care of their patients.

i know it is hard... really hard... really very hard... my current p-doc was like that too. i chatted to him a bit on the phone and he scheduled our first appoitment so we could 'see what we would make of each other'. he really pushed the notion that it was a mututal sussing each other out kind of thing. it was terrifying to me because i have issues to do with rejection. i was fairly sure he would reject me / try to pass me on with someone else.

but you know what?

he didn't.

he agreed to work with me. and you know what? that is the most wonderful feeling in the world. he actually wants to work with ME! he could have passed me onto someone else or simply said 'sorry i'm all full up' but you know what? he didn't.

if he had passed me on... it would have hurt, yeah. i do think, however, that typically both parties are fairly well aware whether they seem to click or not. it can be important in that initial assessment to make sure they grasp / appreciate that you really are motivated towards making progress on your issues. and... suss them out. do you feel like you would like to work with this person? if so then you really have to tell them 'i would like to work with you'. if you don't want to work with them... ask them for a referral.

i know it is hard. i know it is scary... but when clinicians are able to make these kinds of decisions i honestly think they tend to enjoy their work more which really does make for a clinician who is more emotionally available at the end of the day. i really think so...

:-)