texting and emailing therapist

Back in the day before I had a computer or access to text, PrevT was my T. During that time, PrevT and I agreed I could leave messages on her voice mail or call the office. We had a system in case I needed her to call me back.

I was involved in litigation against a PDoc at the time and going through a lot of emotions.

Voicemail's advantages were that I could leave information for her at all hours without bothering her. She also commented that I revealed more on vm than I did in session. Vmailing helped me get my concerns out and away from me. Once I left those messages, I felt more relaxed, knowing she would help take care of whatever concern I had.

It's been fifteen years since I left therapy with PrevT and I'm still in touch with her. PrevT now allows me to email/text her for catch up. She says it's ok to share things with her as part of our supportive relationship with the understanding that CurrenT is my therapist. We talk on the phone very few months.

Current T does not text or email. She reserves email for colleagues, friends, University students, etc. There were concerns: she doubted she could guarantee my privacy on her laptop, concern my email would get lost amongst her University students, and concern she would lose my email all together.

Instead, she allows me to leave vm on her office phone or call her personally on her cell.

I've thought about this a lot as I used to email a lot. I think for me is was a case of checking that T was still there between sessions, because actually all of the stuff I said could have waited until I saw him again. I don't email now at all unless it is to reschedule a session (phones are too scary for me).

Probably because they are sad and pathetic... that's why I do it. Why else? If you don't feel the urge to text and email your therapist, then good for you!!

The only time I would send a text or email is when an appointment needs to be moved about.

I email my therapist, but don't expect a reply--it's a way of getting my thoughts and feelings out of my head. He'll respond occasionally, but it's really therapeutic for me to write and then be able to send them away. I only text if I'm unsafe.

My t encourages me to email her. I asked her once if she finds it helps her to get to know me better as I can rarely talk in sessions. She replied she thought it helped me to get to know myself better as I can describe feelings and stuff in writing. I also find its a bit of a grounding tool. We have discussed how her answers often annoy me and I don't feel connected and I think she is keen for me to continue to email as she says the connection is there I just haven't learnt to feel it yet! Our agreement is I can email any time but she only checks a few times a week or if I need her text and then I will get a quicker answer, usually to arrange a phone call. I rarely use this.

Occasionally I will email my main T but usually it is due to the fact that I forgot an appt. time and need reminding. Calling is OK too but I have never had his cell number to text.

CBT's phone number is blocked too if he calls me so I couldn't imagine texting him.
He bans emailing because he says it isn't secure/safe. I can call and leave a message but he has no emergency #, which makes me uneasy.

My T offered email and phone contact.

I email occasionally. It's used as a method to stay connected between sessions. Sometimes, it's just a short email - other times there might be important content.

My T always responds - he's the one who suggested it in the first place! I don't abuse the privilege. The only difficult part is if I'm struggling and I'm waiting on that return email...that can be hard, but that doesn't happen often.

If there ever has been a miscommunication about something, it's something we have misunderstood in person as well. I know the drawbacks of not hearing the intonation of T's voice, so if anything is not clear, I am direct about asking in another email or in the next session.