Quote:
Originally Posted by imapatient
It was suggested to me that I get treatment for sexual compulsivity (some childhood sex abuse as victim, too).
I finally called after a year. The intake person wasn't available so I had to leave a message.
I can't believe I (had to) leave a message. There are no set hours to get in touch with her just for intake. I told her she should call me on my cell--I rarely use a landline--but be very discreet.
I wish you could at least email/site-input-form some info to get off the ground rather than trying to via first phone call. Or someone in the office takes basic info. At least that they'd offer some instructions on the phone message other than "I'm out. Leave a message."
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I would personally never leave a message that was personal. I would tell them I was interested in beginning therapy and leave my callback number. Also, any voicemail from a business that says "I'm out. Leave a message" seems rather unprofessional. My T's voicemail is like this: "Hi, this is Dr. blank, blank. I'm sorry I missed your call. Please leave me a message and I will return it as soon as possible. Thanks." Also, when I called for my first appointment, I never had to give the assistant personal details. They have a form that you fill out the day of your first appointment, and then you see the T.
I'd be worried about the quality of services you might be getting from this potential T. It doesn't in itself mean anything, but something to consider when you go to your first appointment. If you don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling from the first meeting, I'd really evaluate it and see if this person is someone you should consider seeing. If you should happen to not want to return to this particular T, make sure you make an appointment with another T in replacement. Sometimes you have to go through a couple of T's to find the right one.
I hope it works out for you.
Oh yes, I forgot to add that the voicemail begins with a recording with the office manager saying "You have reached the office of _______. We are unavailable to answer the phone at the moment. If this is an after hours emergency, please press star and we will direct you to your doctor's after hours contact information. If it is not after hours, and you would like to leave a confidential voice message with your psychologist, please press 1 for Dr. ____, press 2 for Dr. ________, 3 for Dr. _____, and 4 for Dr. _____. If this is a message for one of the office staff, press 6 and leave a message. We will return your call as soon as possible."
My T owns the practice with his other partners. I realize that not every T has partners or office staff though. I'm lucky.