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I’ve always wondered about this. (and I have a friend in mind so I asking for that too ) I’m not judging either. Someone’s treatment or relationship with a therapist is their business. And when I say “people “ it’s meant generally. (Accept for the friend Im thinking of. I’m just wondering if people can become too attached or reliant on therapists for general well-being. What I mean is I’ve heard of some people who call and text their therapists all day long or at least do that and expect the therapist to respond. It’s different if a client and therapist agree to those guidelines but if it’s one sided or meant as an emergency only sort of thing, do you think that can be abused ? My worry in general has always been that I’ll have a relationship with a therapist and either experience transference or a sense of loss when expecting a therapist to be available at all times.
And there’s some scenarios where I’ve seen people nearly demand near constant contact to the point that they have a profound sense of loss when they can’t get a response. I’ve even heard of people who were told ( and agreed to) not have outside contact unless it’s an emergency. And even what constitutes an emergency. Does anyone see this as an unhealthy pattern or expectation? Does anyone agree that a therapist deserves time off when not in session?
Our family therapist encourages texting about appointments or a situation but has told all clients including me that if it’s a weekend she will not be checking messages until Monday. It’s still been helpful for her to be able to read a text and have a general idea about what’s going on with our family.
Personally I wouldn’t expect my therapist to be available like that or expect them to answer on a weekend. In my friends case she seems to think that her therapist is like her own personal one. She seems to have no empathy or respect that therapists need time and have other patients. In fact her therapist let her know she would be unavailable for the first three months while adjusting to the he new baby and she got so upset that she did text the therapist and was even more upset when she didn’t get an immediate response or any actually because it was Sunday. Her therapist even has a voicemail message for the weekends encouraging people in crisis to go to the emergency room and letting them know what time she will be available in the office. Is this common or healthy ? Can it be a problem ? Unhealthy? I don’t personally see the family therapist because my girls are the “official “ patients but I am trying to understand what’s normal or expected and what’s not
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"I carried a watermelon?"
President of the no F's given society.
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