Noticed T is taping my session.

Things are not going well and I am seriously depressed. I noticed tonight that my T was recording my session. He did not tell me. I will ask him tomorrow when I see him again.

My discussions have included thoughts of suicide. I am wondering if he is recording my sessions in order to protect himself should that happen. I don't think it's for my own benefit.

Should I bring up the topic or just continue to focus on my hopeless life in my sessions?

If you're uncomfortable about it, bring it up. He may just want to go over it again to suss out just how to help you the best.

That's rude, at the very least, not to mention/ask you if you mind his taping you and explaining a little bit what it's for. I'd bring it up, just say something like, "I get the impression you are taping our sessions?"

He cannot tape you without your consent. It is illegal. Bring it up immediately.
I do hope you will feel better with time. Please take care.

i think so t's tape all their sessions...so maybe it's just not you but everyone he sees. either way i would bring it up & ask..you'll never know otherwise. he may just do it so he has a better record of the session for himself so he can process it later on...

stumpy

I would definitely bring it up....Do you recall when you first filled out paperwork at T's office whether some documents included a right to tape sessions?

More importantly, I'm sorry that your depression has gotten so bad....I have been in that place before and am approaching it again....such a deep, dark hole with no energy or desire to even try to get out. It's a horrible place to be. Please try to do something - anything - baby steps....

First of all, I'm sorry that you're feeling down. I've been really in the dumps lately myself. And the whole therapy thing (not finding a good fit) is making it harder

But nobody is taping me without my consent. This is not healthy for you....you may be internalizing this instead of alerting your T to the harm that even this possibility is doing you. Please talk about this, or make a move. I don't know if your bond with the T is a good one, but this raises a real flag for me.

You are in my thoughts!

MCL

Maybe he just tapes it for his notes later? Like how doctors transcribe? I would let him know you noticed and find out why he is doing it and let him know it bothered you.

If your T has not asked your permission for this, I don't think he is legally permitted to do this. It may have been in your informed consent form you signed the first day of therapy. Definitely bring it up! You can revoke your consent if you did indeed sign off on it at one time.

I am sorry you are feeling so down. Hang in there. I'm glad you are continuing to see your T.

How is it that you noticed? What did you see?

I hope you feel better soon. don't stop working to get better.

I would definately ask about the taping, that doesn't seem right.

Hello

Firstly I'm so sorry you are struggling so badly right now. I sincerely hope you can find some inner peace for a short while until you see your therapist to speak to him. It is extremely unethical for a therapist to record any session without your written permission and should be made clear in your contract at the beginning of your relationship. You are entitled to change your mind at any time during your therapy sessions. I am also wondering, like Echoes what you saw to make you think he was recording ? It seems very wise to discuss this matter when you see your T next to clarify things. Wishing you peace and very best wishes. Take care and go well. Kerry x

Whether or not it is legal depends on the jurisdiction (i.e., whether you live in a "one-party" or "two-party" consent state). Both the state I live in and the state I'm from are "one-party," so it's not uncommon for something like to be legal. Can we please check our facts here before just saying sh--?

A moral or ethical objection to something does NOT make it illegal, people.

one should never "notice" that their sessions are being taped. thats not okay. you should have been given an opportunity to consent or decline being taped OR if thats just the way it is, you should have known about that from the start.

that said...i would hope its not a cya situation. as far as i know, most therapists tape sessions in lieu of taking notes or because they are being supervised.

I'm pretty sure he needs your consent to tape you perio
I would bring it up ASAP

I would think just out of consideration at the very least he would of
Ran it by you.

I live in th UK and what I said stands here. Whatever the rules where you live, it is ethical to have the client's consent before recording whether it be legal or not. It is to do with a client's autonomy and is respectful. I hope you are feeling better today, take care, Kerry xx

Christine Esq I understand what you are saying and of course moral or ethical decisions are different from legal/illegal choices. I was speaking as a trainee psychotherapist from the UK. I realise things are different in different states/countries but surely it is a matter of respect for the client's autonomy to check on something of such importance and confidentiality. Regards, Kerry x

The legality of taping a conversation without consent varies by state.

Did you ever find out why?

Turns out to be a bit funny - T was just recharging his cell phone and had it plugged in. For some reason, I thought the session was being recorded. As usual with me, all that worry . . . for nothing.

I'm so glad your mind is at rest. You had a valid reason for being worried and I don't see it as 'worrying for nothing' xxx Take care, Kerry x

He should have told you.

In my paranoid mood, I would regard this as a serious breach of trust.
But maybe he just forgot to mention it.

Oops! Good discussion though!