[Wawrzyn]

My T did not explain why but made it clear that phone/e-mail communication is not possible.

Given that some Ts allow their patients to call them if they are not feeling well, does it mean that my T would rather keep our relationship as business-like as possible?

[splitimage]

My T does not allow communication between sessions unless it's for something like rescheduling an appointment, which we usually do by e-mail.

I've occassionally e-mailed something I want T to read before my session so we can discuss it in session, and she seems ok with that, but I do it extremely rarely, and I have been seeing her for over a decade.

I guess different t's just have different professional boundaries.

--splitimage

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Wawrzyn

My T did not explain why but made it clear that phone/e-mail communication is not possible.

Given that some Ts allow their patients to call them if they are not feeling well, does it mean that my T would rather keep our relationship as business-like as possible?

only your treatment provider can say why they dont allow which kinds of contact.

just because someone elses therapy model is set up differently doesnt mean your therapist doesnt like you, is doing anything wrong or is trying to set you up to have things a certain way.

sometimes its just because of the rules in that location set by the governing officials that oversee mental health providers.

sometimes its because of agency rules.

Sometimes it is to keep work and private time separate and business like. some mental health providers have had bad experiences when allowing their clients to call after hours. So now they have to set boundaries with all their clients to ensure they are able to have their own lives of family, friends and home life that is separate from their work.

sometimes its because of what each individual case needs, some clients and therapists need more boundaries than others.

gosh there are so many different reasons why our treatment providers set up our treatment plans the way they do but over all only our treatment providers can tell us why they have set up our treatment program and treatment options the way they do.

suggestion ask your treatment provider why they have set things up this way. that way you will know why and the two of you can talk about it.

[mixedup_emotions]

My T prefers not to "do therapy" by email. He feels that it's a poor way of making contact, and that he needs to be able to see his clients to fully appreciate a given situation.

Email leaves way too much for interpretation....although my T told me that he has made an exception for me, since I have a hard time expressing myself face-to-face at times, especially when things are rough.

He would much rather talk to me on the phone and does allow me to call in between sessions if I need him - although I've rarely called. And if I need to schedule an additional session, he will certainly try to fit me in - especially when I'm triggered because my T is gestalt-based, focusing on the here-and-now...and if I'm being triggered NOW, he'd prefer to see me as soon as possible instead of after-the-fact.

Anyway....I don't find it "unprofessional" for T's to communicate with clients by email - but I do believe it's not a preferred method of making contact.

[BlackCanary]

Sounds like your T only wants to do therapy in person, vs. trying to offer therapeutic support over the phone or via email.
Can you leave a voice mail if you need an extra appointment?

My T has several short 15 min phone sessions available per week, you can always ask about that type of phone communication.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by Wawrzyn

My T did not explain why but made it clear that phone/e-mail communication is not possible.

Given that some Ts allow their patients to call them if they are not feeling well, does it mean that my T would rather keep our relationship as business-like as possible?

It's not unprofessional for Ts to communicate via phone or e-mail. It's a matter of personal preference. Why don't you ask your T her/his reason for not wanting to communicate via phone or e-mail?

[Travelinglady]

I was having a rough patch recently, and my T told me I could call to check in with her for less than 10 minutes or so if I needed to. I didn't feel that I did, as it turned out, but I think circumstances make a difference. She charges for longer phone calls.

I think it depends on the T and the patient. As was said, some might not allow phone calls at all. I agree that it's something that would be good to address with your T. It isn't unprofessional per se.

[with or without you]

My T's communication in between appointments is phone only, and you have to leave a voice mail. She does give out her cell phone but it is only to be used by current patients in a clinical emergency. I have never asked her about e-mail, and I actually like it this way because I suffer from social anxiety. Verbal only communication is for my own good.

[The Poet]

Email communication is NOT confidential. It is stored on servers so your workplace or yahoo or gmail or AOL or any mail server has access to what you write to your T.

Your T can not protect you if it is not confidential. This has been an issue for discussion..

[Wawrzyn]

Originally Posted by BlackCanary

Sounds like your T only wants to do therapy in person, vs. trying to offer therapeutic support over the phone or via email.

I didn't ask for phone/e-mail therapy. I only wanted to know if it was ok for me to communicate relevant information before the session.

[Melbadaze]

ask your T by whatever media you are wanting to use first perhaps? Theres lots of different opinons on this...personally I am allowed and its not unprofessional..although some therapist don't like or are unable to work that way....i've found it very helpful and theraputic...

[ECHOES]

There are many different kinds of therapies. And therapists make their own decisions about contact between sessions that might include the type of therapy, the reason for therapy, the events currently happening in the patient's life, and the value the therapist feels that email and phone communication provide to the patient.
Some phone and email contact is offered as part of supportive therapy. Other therapists offer phone and email contact for scheduling issues only.

My therapist doesn't offer email contact. She does offer phone contact, and states that phone calls will be brief. A phone call at a crucial moment can be so helpful, diffusing, relieving. It can get a person unstuck, help them out of the emotional bind they're in so they can move past it. It can then be explored, in or outside of therapy. Early in my therapy, my therapist and I talked about how the phone contact would work and that she would let a person know if the phone contact was excessive and no longer therapeutic. So I trust she has given it much thought and offers it in a very professional manner.