Therapist moving to different practice

My former therapist (whom I have an intense crush on) started a private practice. I attend a non profit organization for my therapy/counseling, which she used to work at. I tried to get into her practice but she said something about 'solicitation' (?), and basically said no, I can't make an appointment with her. She gave me no reason other than saying something about solicitation and it was very brief, she didn't go into detail of why I couldn't have her back. I cant even remember what she said exactly.

What is going on? Does she not want me as a client, or does she think that two therapists is excessive and I don't need her, or is it because I was going to see her once a month and that wasn't enough? I don't get it. I called her back but she didn't answer. Is there some sort of agreement that she made with the organization that she cant steal clients? Please give me some insight on this BS.

I think we addressed this in your previous post, but in case it was lost, my sense was that this is a very unfortunate but extremely common non-competition clause situation.

Business partners, in all types of businesses, often have to sign agreements that if they leave the business and go into the same business on their own or at a new office, will not take any clients with them, often for a period up years (I've seen three year non-competes), so I think that's exactly what happened here, unfortunately.

It's lousy that this kind of thing happens when the services are so personal, but I've heard of it many times before.

I just needed more opinions, this whole ordeal is driving me crazy. Sorry for the redundancies, but I cant stop thinking about this.

Would any other opinions change the way you feel? Like, if someone said... she must not have wanted to work with you.... would it help???

I'll stop posting as you want other opinions, just wondering what will be most helpful to ease the pain you're in at losing her, if you do not think/believe it was just a business policy issue.

I responded to your other thread about this.

She probably signed a contract with the previous organization that does not permit her to take her clients with her if she were to leave. My therapist had to sign such a contract, so I know about these things from him. If he left, he can not take his client with him for 1 or 2 years. After that point, he can see them.

Your therapist might never be able to take clients with her.

Perhaps she didn't explain it to you better because....

- perhaps she not supposed to tell clients about the contract
- she's upset about the contract/that she can't take you on
- she didn't understand the contract that she signed

I doubt very highly that it has anything to do with YOU.

Organizations or Centers use this type of contract so that therapists don't just join their organizations, grab a whole bunch of clients, and leave. They would lose so many clients like this. It's a business right? People are there to make money and clients are what bring the money in. It's to protect the organization.

Do what you think is best, had I not had a change in insurance and stayed on with my prior Therapist for a few months longer I would be in this same dilemma.

From what I've read, after initially being a little wishy-washy with you, she's now made it quite clear that she will not be seeing you anymore, period. I'd resist further attempts to contact her in any way, shape or form. It might end badly for you if you continue doing so.

That's a pretty hard hit to take but it's time to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and find another therapist that can help you process this fact, accept this fact, and move on.

I gotta be honest with you, I feel that if I were the former therapist, I would be very close to notifying authorities ... I'm not sure if it would be because I was concerned for your safety, my safety, or both.

Sincerely,
Pfrog!

I too responded to this same issue in your other thread about this same issue.

in mental health terms solicitation means a mental health treatment provider can not look/gather their clients from their past employment. its against the laws and ethics....its like the illegal practice called ambulance chasing where insurance companies go to accident scenes and emergency rooms to get people to sign up with them when they are not in their right frame of mind.

in order to see this ex therapist your present therapist will need to make a "referal"

just a heads up some USA states now have mental health laws protecting treatment providers from stalkers type clients...those are clients that because of mental defect, falling in love with their therapist or out of retribution of some perceived wrong continue to seek out, follow or try to gain contact with the ex therapist.

given that you have posted about this therapists leaving, that you are in love with this ex therapist you might want to slow down, give it some time, and talk with your present treatment provider.

she can with out breaching any ethics get in contact with this ex therapist and find out whether she is taking referrals for consultations, whether this ex therapists private practice is set up to treat your problems, if your therapist terminates with you whether the ex is willing to take you on as a client based on your problems and possible love for her.

I know its hard losing a treatment provider the way you did but seeking out this therapist could end up getting you arrested in some states for harrassment/stalking and unethical relationships. it can also result in this ex losing her credentials for being a treatment provider if its proven she has approached you to groom you for moving over to her private practice..

please take time to talk things out with your own treatment providers. we cant tell you what to do, how to do it or even answer your questions about this ex therapist, we are not in your location, we are not you, and we are not this ex treatment provider... only you, your therapist and the ex therapist can help you to straighten out this situation.