Im in the USA, Texas and I wrote my xT and asked for my previous records, she said NO....she said she didn't feel it would be good for my emotional well being. WTF, did she draw pictures of killing me while in session? She said my new T can request them on his letter head with my signature, what's *****! I am so tempted to call her and give her the what for........

[WikidPissah]

that's BS. You have a right to view your records at any time. Ask her if she would like a call from your attorney.

[BlessedRhiannon]

Actually, in TX, yes, she can do that. The actual law is below (I had it bookmarked due to my own confidentiality concerns):

B. In general, a psychologist MUST release a patient’s records upon written request by the patient. Section 611.0045, Texas Health and Safety Code.

1. Exception: 611.0045 permits the psychologist to refuse by providing a refusal in writing to the client/patient within 15 days after receiving the request. The written response must include:
a. A description of the portion or portions being withheld; and
b. The reason the records are being withheld; and
c. The duration of time that the denial is in effect; and
d. A statement signed by the psychologist stating that having access to the records would harm the patient’s physical, mental or emotional health.
2. Even if the records are withheld from the patient, the psychologist must release the records to any other mental health professional that the patient is seeing for treatment.
3. If the patient re-requests, the psychologist must repeat all of the steps in “1” each and every time s/he refuses to release the records to the patient.
4. The psychologist must place a copy of the written statement of refusal in the patient’s file.

It's from here: http://www.tsbep.state.tx.us/files/n...s/00summer.pdf

[Rapunzel]

Psychological treatment records generally are hard to read when they are about you. They are not written to be complimentary, but to establish the need tor treatment and how problems are to be addressed. Most therapists I know would also refuse to give a copy of their notes to a patient who requested them on the same grounds. Some would allow you to look through the records with the therapist there to answer any questions you may have and address concerns that come up. If you have her send the records to your new T, the new T might be able to go through them with you.

[stopdog]

LC - why do you want them from that nut? I believe she should give them to you and her paternalistic stance is annoying (although not unexpected from such as her).

[bluemountains]

Wow, LolaCabanna, this makes me wonder what other states have a a similar law to the one in TX. I often wonder what my t writes about me. I guess I might not ever know.
Bluemountains

[Chopin99]

My T said she'd show me her notes on me anytime I wanted to see them. She said other therapists have told her that it's unethical. She said she asked on what basis and she was told it could be damaging to the client.

She said she didn't care what anybody said. She believes everybody has a right to see their file.

[Eliza Jane]

It varies by state. Strangely, in Ohio, physicians can deny a patient their records if they think it will be damaging, but not mental health professionals. Too bad you are in Texas.

That said, why did you want the records?

Best,
EJ

I'm in Texas also. Interesting to read the law although I doubt I would really want them. My T reads portions of them to me from time to time. They are mostly generally observations about how I am doing at each session and broad summaries of our sessions. Nothing terribly detailed or anything I didn't already know.

Originally Posted by Eliza Jane

That said, why did you want the records?

Best,
EJ

Originally Posted by stopdog

LC - why do you want them from that nut?

I'm not sure...part of me wants to know it wasn't all me ... And part of me wants to confirm she hated me, just as I suspected.

Originally Posted by LolaCabanna

I'm not sure...part of me wants to know it wasn't all me ... And part of me wants to confirm she hated me, just as I suspected.

But nothing your file will be about her. You won't find those answers in a file about you.

[growlycat]

That ex T is a fiery she-cow. I wouldn't give a second thought to her unprofessional opinions. But I would be curious too I guess.

[stopdog]

I understand, but I think it would only cause unnecessary anger and doubt and unsettledness in you LC. I absolutely disagree with her not giving them to you but I cannot see how the info would help you. She was horrible, her notes would be horrible and you are well shed of her.

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by growlycat

fiery she-cow.

Fiery she-cow. That's a good one.

You could always keep requesting over and over. She'll have to keep putting in writing why, right?

Maybe I'm just really feisty tonight, but I'd see how many times I could get her to put it in writing until she finally buckled.

I apologize if that's not helpful, but it might be kind of funny.

Yup, she can!

i asked t for my records once (we had a major rupture) and he said i could have them if i came into his office to review them. and so i did. i was looking for some clue that he hated me. it wasn't there.

Just like Chris (FG) said, his review of the session, sometimes insights. the strangest part was seeing what he thought was important, versus what i thought was important

Technically, she can. But it is very high handed of her to rule that this would harm you, when she is no longer your treatment provider and (I feel) cannot make that decision. That decision should be made by your current T, and if you can get him to agree that it would not harm you, and to write a letter to this effect, then she would be on very shaky ground if she tried to overrule this.

I agree with others though that it sounds like it might be damaging and counterproductive. I feel you should obtain the records, now that you've started (on principle!) but make the decision about actually reading them separately.

I emailed new T. I asked him to call her. He said, he thinks that she thinks I have a personality disorder and is not willing to deal with th e questions that would arise if I saw her notes.

So I think that makes her an ubber B I T C H.

[stopdog]

Originally Posted by LolaCabanna

I emailed new T. I asked him to call her. He said, he thinks that she thinks I have a personality disorder and is not willing to deal with th e questions that would arise if I saw her notes.

So I think that makes her an ubber B I T C H.

Absolutely. UberDuber.
I think putting her well behind you is all you can do. She was ill-equipped to deal with you and she handled it badly. Rejoice in having gotten away from her as intact as you did.

Originally Posted by stopdog

Absolutely. UberDuber.
I think putting her well behind you is all you can do. She was ill-equipped to deal with you and she handled it badly. Rejoice in having gotten away from her as intact as you did.

Thanks Stopdog.... can I pay you to beat her up? Verbally of course...LOL

[KazzaX]

By law everywhere you are allowed to access your records, whether they like it or not. Sometimes they make you jump through various hoops in order to dissuade you from getting them, but you are well within your rights to get them. Put it in writing and keep hounding them. They will give them to you eventually.

[Perna]

My T and I joked about my records (after 9+ years) and that they took up an entire file cabinet.

I would just write her another letter thanking her for her "kind and compassionately understanding consideration of your request" and say to heck with her.

Originally Posted by Perna

I would just write her another letter thanking her for her "kind and compassionately understanding consideration of your request" and say to heck with her.

My new T may call her today. I have requested an appointment with him today if available, although I do get to see him tomorrow. I wish I could write her a letter saying all that....but I know it would come off as "dripping in sarcasm with an underlying "hate you" tone . I am in no mood to even try to play nice with her, because I have. I am hoping New T can squash this for me.

[ImMentallyILL]

I just ended with old psychiatrist and I'm curious to know what does it mean to view your records? *

I can see her notes? I can take these files home?*

I know I want the written stuff I gave her to her back

I'm going to ask to view my old records but don't want to look like an idiot for asking and not knowing what I'm asking for so can anybody here help me?

[unaluna]

I am all for openness and carp like that. I would advise against doing this. I looked at one letter from a T in my file as I was turning it over to my lawyer. It said something about how these people just get worse and worse and are not likely to get better. Which i'm thinking, hey he "just" wrote that for my case. But it still stung. I saw him a couple of years later and I was like, hey, how could you write all those mean things about me? He goes, WHAT mean things?! Apparently my optimism is entirely unfounded. I'm glad my current T supports my hopeful delusions.

Originally Posted by hankster

I am all for openness and carp like that. I would advise against doing this. I looked at one letter from a T in my file as I was turning it over to my lawyer. It said something about how these people just get worse and worse and are not likely to get better. Which i'm thinking, hey he "just" wrote that for my case. But it still stung. I saw him a couple of years later and I was like, hey, how could you write all those mean things about me? He goes, WHAT mean things?! Apparently my optimism is entirely unfounded. I'm glad my current T supports my hopeful delusions.

Well I am glad she too said no, in hindsight. I never thought of it the way you put it. I would like to think it wouldn't bother me as I would consider the source. Although deep down I know it would.

However I am happy to report my new T... Forever forward to be known as T ... Called xT, hopefully to rarely be mentioned ... Yet rightfully named therapist a call. Then T said he had an opening at 3 and we had an awesome session. He said to keep my appt for tomorrow only one hour earlier...yes! I followed it up by leaving a message on xT's answering machine. Thanking her for speaking to T and that I believed it helped me. That the offered summary she was willing to prepare for T is no longer necessary and I will not be bothering her again. .....then in true form, I emailed him telling him I emailed her and that I hope he was honest abut her truly not hating me..... And hear I sit... I can't wait to finish processing this with T...it's awesome to rehash things that were said or occurred with xT and actually see what was wrong, not who but what. Sorry this is so long and thank you all for all your support. Dr. J... That's what I call T, I think this is what therapy was supposed to be like for me all along.