Asking Therapist for Letter

Thank you for this forum - I would be grateful for any advice!

Is it wrong for me to ask my therapist to write me a general treatment letter so I may appeal my financial aid? I have asked, but he is reluctant. He says I am putting him in an uncomfortable position, as he must sign these letters.
I am asking for a general letter: that I receive treatment at their facility, confirmation of my medications, and my diagnoses.

Please let me know if you need more detail.

Thank you!! - Bolivar

I wouldn't think it would be wrong of you to ask. I wonder why he feels that way? Like you said it is just a basic letter stating that you are seen there. I don't think he should be uncomfortable with it. That's just my opinion anyways. Hope things work out for you.

Just wondering if your psychiatrist would be the person to ask rather than your therapist. The psychiatrist specializes in medication so he would be the one to ask I would think.

Would a billing summary, suffice? I get those, through my PDoc's office. Why not a therapist billing statement, would say basically the same, no?

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I can understand his concern about releasing medical information such as your diagnosis and medications to someone who is not a provider or in the process of treating you. Once that confidential information is released, others are not bound by the same HIPAA confidentiality rules.

Any provider (therapist, counselor, GP, or pdocs) can write this documentation for you that you are being treated for a given condition. Perhaps there is someone else you can turn to if this particular T is still not willing to help after reading the following.

In the past when I have completed things to appeal financial aid decisions, a more general letter only specifying that you are being treated there, that what you are being treated for (in general terms) has affected your school performance (or that medications or change of medications has affected school performance but a pdoc would better for this though to document), I would think would be all that is needed and might make your T feel more comfortable.

Is the school asking specifically for a diagnosis and for a list of your medications, or are you wanting to provide this to be more thorough in your defense (?). If they are verbally requesting this, I would be concerned and ask about confidentiality and where it states in writing what is required for an appeal to be sure for your protection. If they are not asking, I personally would not offer it unless required, stick to generalities.

Once you find out what specifically you need, unless you already know, ask what is making your T uncomfortable about the process or the forms you need, then see if you can come to a better understanding - OR - look to one of your other providers to help you.

Good luck getting it resolved. Will be hoping for the best for you.

All well said and concur. The very best!

Dear Bolivar,

No you are not wrong and this is part of the process.
Usually people ask dr to write a letter stating your dx, and you are being treated by him or her. And what your meds are.

The only thing that may have caught him off guard is the reason you asked for this letter was so you would be able to appeal for financial aid. You should've said so you can continue benefits, not $ aid.

That is neither here nor there. Get 2 forum letters send to dr. requesting release of medical records one to the Judge/court of appeals whoever is handling your case, your case worker and the other one releasing medical records to you.
Sign them and take it to your bank and have both notarized, make a copy mail 2 to the dr. and mail the copy to yourself.
Dont open it. Bring it with you at your appeal hearing and give it to the judge unopened. This shows good faith effort on your part.
Thats it.
Also you can request a copy of your medical records for yourself anytime, look up patients rights.
H.

Also you can go to where you fill your prescriptions and they can give you a copy of all meds received.
Do you have a primary doctor, they can write the same type of letter. Fresai and others gave you great advice.
Don't worry denial letter go out by the thousands everyday, I know they feel personal and cause anxiety, but you will be okay.
Afterwards I would seek out another dr.

Hi Bolivar,

You mentioned this was for "financial aid". I may have made a wrong assumption and apologize if so. Is this for school financial aid or benefits somewhere, such as SSDI or SSI?

Thanks in advance for the clarification.
-Fresia

So I really don't know that therapists are qualified to do this...but even if you were seeing a psychiatrist not all of your caregiving psychs will write letters etc. for you. It's sort of a dilemma for them becuase they have the perspective that they are getting you better and that you aren't disabled etc. Someone more neutral is better at assessing you when it comes to disability etc becuase they have no stake in the outcome....your personal doc is heavily invested in getting you to be as functional as possible. Anyway you may have to pay someone for an independent evaluation.

Here is a convo about this type of letter....among pdocs on sdn...

Disability Request on Initial Visit | Student Doctor Network

Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to respond, and for your good advice.

To clarify, the letter was to request reinstatement of financial aid for next semester, not SSI/SSDI.

I spoke with my therapist again. He offered to write it if I signed a release so he could speak with my dss counselor, and requested a copy of the informal contract she & I had drawn up (things such as balancing heavier/lighter classes; building more psychological support (therapy, group) to ensure in place before next semester; meeting with my psych, to make sure meds are effective/proper).

At first, I thought this a reasonable request. But the more I thought it over, the angrier I became.

I left him a voicemail, telling him I was angry (without yelling, crying, or sounding rageful). I said I didn't understand his reluctance to provide a general letter, and that I was severing our therapy relationship. I stated I had far more at risk, as far as confidentiality/privacy concerns, if I signed a release than he did for writing a general care letter, that in no way required him to plead my case and was in no way perceived as a letter of recommendation.

DSS said we could process this without my therapist, as she spoke with me at length and is qualified to make her own assessment.

After the flush of anger subsided, I have regret. While I think I need a more supportive therapist, I'm starting to believe I was unreasonable about the release. It might be better to allow connection/more free-flow of information between my sources of support. I felt so full of righteousness when I left that voicemail - that should have been my tip-off that I had some mania and grandiosity. Well, I cast the dice and will have to move on from here, hopefully in healthier ways.

Thank you all, again.