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Hey ladies and gents, I'm a long time lurker but a new poster. I hope everything is well with all of you!

To start off, I've been seeing a psychologist for the past few months due to anxiety problems. He's amazing at what he does, and I couldn't be more happy to have him as a therapist. That being said, recently there have been some minor scheduling issues.

In our last session, we started around 20 minutes late because a session with another client ran a little over the scheduled time, but we finished up earlier than expected due to the next client scheduled after me being in the waiting room. It was a good session, but I honestly felt a little dejected because of the lack of normal duration. I didn't find it necessary to mention it to him at the time, as I understand that sometimes it's just a part of the job.

However, last week he scheduled me on Tuesday. He cancelled. Rescheduled for Thursday. He cancelled again. Told me he'd call me to reschedule. I haven't heard anything from him since Thursday, but he had previously been good with remaining in contact. I tried calling earlier today, and his phone was turned off. His voicemail box was full, so I couldn't even leave a message. No secretary at the office or anything, just his private practice. I'm assuming he's on vacation or something, but I guess I just wish he would've mentioned something about it before so that myself (and likely his other clients!) wouldn't be wondering what was going on.

Just felt the need to vent a little.

I'm sorry that's happening to you! I don't have a lot of experience with T's , so I don't know what it means. I do know I would feel like you right now, though. Just thought I would let you know that we're listening! Good luck, I hope your T clears his mailbox out, or something! Keep us posted.

And Welcome to pc!

Hi Sesame, geez, he doesn't sound very organized. That isn't fair that your appt. got squeezed from both ends. The squeeky wheel does get the grease. Are you going to talk to him about all of this?

hey sesame...welcome!

It sounds like the case of an illness or family emergency. He canceled on Tues thinking things would be fine by Thurs, and then realized they weren't. I especially think this because his mail box was full.

I would try to leave another VM again today, and give him a day or so to reply.

Kind of sounds like an emergency of some sort has come up. Since he's previously been very reliable, just wait it out and talk to him about it when he returns. Life happens; even to T's. Frustrating, but I suspect there is a reasonable explanation for this change.

well as for the first situation. i think that's unfortunate but you don't know what was going on in the previous session. the patient might have been threatening suicide or something serious that caused the run over. as long as it's not a regular thing.

i also agree with the others that it sounds like an emergency happened. it sucks for you but i'd give him another chance if you've found him good up until now.

I'm sure that if/when I hear from him, he'll discuss it with me. I feel so silly for being somewhat upset with him over cancelling our sessions if it really is an emergency. The week that he cancelled was just a bit stressful for me, and it would have helped to be in contact with him. Anyway, I tried calling again, cell phone is still off, voicemail is still full. I know he'll get in contact when he can, I just hope everything is alright.

As a general update, T did ultimately contact me to inform me of what had happened. An issue with his medication had him in the hospital for a while. He got in touch with me over the weekend and is doing fine.

Unfortunately, on the more selfish side of things, it has bothered me that I haven't seen him at all this month. Over the weekend, he said he'd call on Monday (the 16th) to schedule something, and even sent me a text on Monday saying that he'd be calling later in the day. I specified the best time for him to call, and he said it was no problem... but he never called. I feel like I always have to be the first person to initiate anything in order to get any kind of contact with him, and it's frustrating, though I understand that he had been in a difficult situation the previous week. I hadn't heard from him since then, so I called him today and he returned my call, saying that he was outside of his office taking a smoke break in between clients, and wouldn't be able to see me until next week. It's just frustrating to know that he's back at work and seeing clients, but I just feel like he kind of completely skipped over me.

I don't know, Sesame.. if he's normally responsive, then I can't help but wonder if he's got some kind of personal crisis going on. Even with a family emergency or whatever, it seems that a therapist would make some kind of arrangement to let clients know, even if it's just on their voice mail greeting.

However, if he was, say, in an auto accident and is not able to speak, or is in a coma etc., then he really would have no way of responding as he normally does. If he had a partner in practice, or a receptionist, then they would be able to handle it.

Let us know what you found out!

How long has this been going on?

Welcome, Sesame!

So he has good reasons, but there is no excuse for failing to alert clients, skipping over you, or smoking during a phone call.

(just kidding about the smoking one)

I'm sorry this is happening; it must be hurtful. So sorry. I suggest writing all of your thoughts and feelings and when you finally get to see him, ask him to please read your writing that you brought with you.

Good luck.

Sesame I hope you get your time soon! Perhaps this is just a bump in the road? Keep us posted!

I think if a T starts late, they still should give you the full length of your session. After all, it's not your responsibility/burden to help them catch up on their schedule. I don't understand why another client being in the waiting room makes you get a short session.

The rest of what you wrote sounds like your T is having a health crisis right now and having a hard time getting back to his usual self and routine. I hope he is OK and pulls it together soon.

Hmm seems very selfish and unreliable to me. I can relate to this on a personal level , what you are going through and how it feels...The # I am smoking and on a break " is a very unprofessional thing to say when speaking to a client ..that you´ve cancelled on. He might just still have some sort of personal stuff going on, as the others said. I do know how upsetting this must feel and look forward to an update about this. All the best and keep my fingers crossed