[Crazy Hitch]

3 weeks ago out of the blue she messaged me asking how I am and if I’d like to make an appointment. I had not seen her for 6 months.

I said no to an appointment just yet as I’m still supporting my daughter who moved out of home and money is tight.

SHe replied that she would be happy to see me with no payment, I must just let her know.

I took this as some kind of “gift”, because those were her exact words - and I saw her last week Tuesday.

Before I saw her, I let her know that she would actually be able to claim $140 back for the consultation through workers comp anyway so she wouldn’t be totally out of pocket. She normally charges $200 a session.

During our appointment, she so happened to notice that I’d had my nails done. She turned around and said oh you can pay to have your nails done but you can’t afford to pay me. Then said oh I’m just kidding.

My psychiatrist put me on medical leave this week so I booked an appointment to see her on Thursday this week. Money is extremely tight but I paid her the $200 in advance last week Friday on the day of booking, as per her policy.

I text her yesterday to let her know that my case manager has changed and I’m not sure who she can claim the $140 back from.

She messaged me back and said so does this mean you are going to pay me for your appointment last week?

Um no. I don’t have $400 lying around in the space of 1 week.

I ONLY booked the appointment last week because she offered it for free.

I feel sick. I didn’t sleep last night. I want to cancel our appointment on Thursday but I have until today to do it by it’s 48 hours notice and it’s Tuesday here in Australia.

I’m so conflicted at this so called “no payment” appointment.

I’m actually pretty damn pissed off ….

[Crazy Hitch]

Her exact text message to me when I booked 3 weeks ago:

Ok… all good about phone… meant I could switch off fully in the end. Horrible at the time.
You take care then.
Are you ok? Happy to see you though without payment too?

[TheGal]

I'd cancel the appointment, Hitch.

She's passive aggressive and sounds like she has work to do on herself first.

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this.

[Crazy Hitch]

Thanks Gal. I’ve just cancelled the appointment and blocked her phone number and email. I just can’t handle the stress. I even found the text message where she said “I’ll waiver the fee”. It’s unfair.

[divine1966]

I’d send her screen shots of her messages re no fee for appointments. And block her then. What an awful person

[Crazy Hitch]

She’s blocked but she’s still sending messages that are coming through on my iwatch. I’m trying to fix it as we speak.

[bizi]

I am sorry crazy hitch. can't you have some one help you with your I watch?
bizi

[HALLIEBETH87]

She has serious boundary red flags

[Crazy Hitch]

Originally Posted by bizi

I am sorry crazy hitch. can't you have some one help you with your I watch?
bizi

I think I might have figured it out by reconnecting it to my phone, thankfully!

[June08]

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this...

[Crazy Hitch]

She’s figured out she’s blocked. She rang me now from a private number and left a voicemail. Basically said can I please ring her tomorrow morning because she believes there’s been a misunderstanding.

Well, there’s no misunderstanding on my behalf. She offered a free service then retracted it AFTER the event.

[Aurelius710]

She seems to think there's room to maneuver. I'd make it unambiguous. Unblock her long enough to send an email detailing your displeasure at the attempted appointment payment bait and switch and annoyance at her passive aggressiveness and end the relationship.

Oh, and save the texts in question.

It doesn't sound like she will, but if she tries to escalate the situation and actually collect on her "gift" appointment, you have something to send to her bosses or even Medicare. (It is Medicare in Australia, yeah?)

Passive aggressiveness is one thing, but trying to worm your way out of an agreement you made just the week before is... just... wow. I'd say good riddance to her!

[Sophia23]

I am officially saying sayanara - is that how you spell that? to my counselor today. I have been paying out of pocket. I can't afford it anymore at all. I am looking at this as a win. I don't think she was really helping me with my main issue low these many months. I had been seeing her for four years, I feel like some boundaries got blurred and she got a bit lazy. If I have to go back it will be with someone else.

[Tart Cherry Jam]

Crazy Hitch, what was the ending to the free appointment bait story?

[Crazy Hitch]

Originally Posted by Tart Cherry Jam

Crazy Hitch, what was the ending to the free appointment bait story?

I went back. I think I’ve seen her twice since. I did NOT pay her for the appointment she offered for free!

[Tart Cherry Jam]

Glad to hear that!