The expectation that my T and pdoc will manage their work with other clients with the same amount of support and professionalism as me applies. I have strong faith that they would prioritize emergencies and their own self-care as needed.

There are those occasions when my pdoc may be running a bit late because he's had to work with a patient in crisis. That is completely understandable and is going to happen from time to time. My T has had occasions where he has been quite ill or there has been a family emergency where he had to reschedule on short notice. It doesn't happen often, but I completely understand when it does.

The opposite has held true. My pdoc has found ways to see me on very little notice when I was in crisis. My T is available to talk or get me in under the same circumstances. That is part of their job. Again, these aren't common incidents, but when they occur, my pdoc and T have always met that level of support and professionalism.

Those aren't too high expectations. That is what they do as part of their profession. But I do absolutely expect that level of care from my therapist and pdoc, as well as other medical professionals I see. I do not stay with them if they do not have an efficient way for handling emergencies -- theirs or mine or my family's.

But they are very professionally and appropriately boundaried. Our expectations for each other are apparent and respected on both ends. That makes a huge difference in our working relationship.