At my last session, the previous client came out of my T’s office about 8 minutes late (my anxiety was going overboard as I hate waiting rooms!) and my T went back into her office and shut the door. Then she came out, went to the bathroom (she doesn’t have to pass the waiting room) and went back to her office to get some keys. She came out to some filing cabinets and told me to go in. So this was quite a while after my session was due to start.

I was already put off as I was so anxious and keyed up after waiting so long, and she didn’t apologise for being so late. So I was already feeling put offside when session began.

I expected her to go overtime, so I had a full session, but she wrapped up a couple of minutes before we were due to finish anyway! Approx 15 mins less than a full session.

I am now feeling terrible as I told her there was something I wanted to talk about that was making me feel unsafe, which I only raised towards the end, when she was beginning to wrap up and asked if there was anything I needed to say, but she said we were out of time. I told her I felt unsafe but she just said, “OK, we will talk about next time, it’s good that you raised it.” I wasn’t planning on making a session next week as I can’t afford it, but I really needed to discuss this issue. When I looked at the clock at the end of our session I was taken aback.

I felt like she couldn’t rush me out soon enough. I still had to pay the full amount. I didn’t even get a full session. I feel disrespected and have very low self-worth. She didn’t even mention the lateness or short session.

Usually I'm her first appointment and we start on time or a couple of minutes late and finish on time. But she has changed her times again recently.

I’m trying to contain my anger. It takes away from the care and support she shows during the session if she acts so carelessly about my time and needs. How do you react when your T is late? Do they apologise? Make up the time? Any advice?