Quote:
Originally Posted by ScarletPimpernel
If you're questioning what's ethical and what's abandonment, that's up to the board and/or courts to decide.
My ex-T terminated with me, I feel, was unethical and abandonment. Many many others have agreed. But when I reported her to the board, they didn't agree and they didn't tell me why. There are many stories on these forums of unethical Ts or Ts who have abandoned their clients. That is why I bring up courts/board of psychology.
I didn't include L's "backup" plan. Her professional partner is who would be contacting me if anything happens to her. L and I have already agreed I'd go back to T for therapy if something happened. And if/when she goes on vacation and someone is available, I have my choice of T, a colleague, or an ex-group T. I'm lucky to have T as backup.
Both T and L know what I went through with ex-T and I trust it is never their intention to abandon me. Both have proved to be honest and dependable. I am lucky to have both of them.
ETA: It's up to the courts or board to decide if you wish to take action against your T.
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I think we're coming from different places and maybe I'm using the wrong terminology. I have no desire to report my therapist for anything. Yes, I'm in a situation that is horrible for me, but I have no doubt that it happened more from a lack of planning than from a deliberate act. I'm trying to wrap my head around what is supposed to be required of therapists in terms of planning for situations where they are suddenly incapacitated or die unexpectedly, in order to advocate for myself and others. No one likes to think about situations where horrible things happen, but when those situations can negatively impact your clients, it seems to me that some forethought is necessary. Especially during a pandemic where people are literally going from healthy to dead in days! And especially when you work with clients who have a trauma history.
You are fortunate to have a continuity plan. From what I'm reading, that should be the norm.