[Mon76]

I recently changed therapists, decided to look for a psychiatrist and see if meds could help me with my anxiety attacks and social phobia; I found a psychiatrist who is also a therapist, so it seemed ideal. He prescribed Lexapro (too soon to know the effects) and yesterday was my 6th session. I'm not liking his type of therapy or the way it's going but I've decided to stick with it because I don't want to change therapists again, hope things get better. Anyway, and here's the main issue, since our first session he told me that he had organized a free weekly class for his patients, this is a class about mental health through history, health and sickness, etc. Told me that this wasn't group therapy in anyway but that I could benefit from it, he also said that "it was interesting to see how people with different backgrounds interacted" and "that he would like to see me there since I majored in anthropology" and that I could benefit from some structure and routine in my life... I told him that I would think about it but he keeps insisting and I'm starting to feel it's mandatory... I don't want to do it, I'm not interested in the subject, interacting with other patients seems really weird and I don't want to see him outside our sessions, but I'm feeling a lot of pressure from him and I'm afraid of offending him. Do I really have to do this?

[blur]

You definitely do not have to do it. If you don't find he's the right T for you maybe just see him as your prof if that is possible.

It sounds like its more like research project on his side of things. But no you don't have to do anything he suggests unless its court ordered i think.

[Victoria'smom]

I wouldn't do it because I want my mental health and therapy kept private.

[caseygirl]

If you don't feel comfortable doing it, definitely don't do it. I've attended groups, and some were helpful, but then, in a research situation I regretted it.

[amyyrexx]

You obviously don't feel comfortable doing it, so don't. If you think it could possibly benefit you though, then do!

[tinyrabbit]

I think he should not be pressurising you in any way.

My T says all I have to do is show up for sessions. You don't have to do anything else.

[Nerak67]

I don't think you have to do anything but if you don't want to do it because of your social anxiety I encourage you to push yourself. I have social anxiety and the only way to help it is to expose yourself to the anxiety.

[photostotake]

He shouldn't be pressuring you into doing anything that you don't want to. If it wouldn't be therapeutic for you to go, don't. If you're at all curious about it, check it out.

[H3rmit]

Of course you don't have to do it. I think it sounds like something worth trying, since you have social phobia and it's a relatively safe place to be with people, though. You can tell him to stop asking because you are not going. You can also ask him if he's saying it's mandatory. Then you will really know.