A new T with office scents thats triggers my asthma

I'm in the process of finding a new trauma specialist T since I have moved and I think I have found one. I had my 2nd visit yesterday and it went very well. Well I am still pretty nervous and I am not noticing things that I would normally so I didn't notice anything strange yesterday during my visit until at the end of my session we talked about scents and triggers and that is when she told me uses them. She uses scents, like those plug in things to foster a positive environment. The only thing is, that artificial scents and even some natural scents like those in candles and those plug ins activate my asthma. On the way home I got this classic headache and I started to cough badly and needed my emergency inhaler. So how do I tell this new T without coming across like I need "special" treatment. Are there any solutions?

I was wondering if somehow if I had the 1st appointment of the day and she unplugged those things the night before if it would help. I know the chemicals won't all dissipate by then, but maybe it would enough to where it won't trigger me. But if it helps other clients, who am I to ask for something different that will affect others?

I usually don't have a hard time bringing up hard topics, but this one feels personal. I am not sure how to approach it since she does specifically use scents for a reason, not just blindly. She seems very open, but maybe it is because I am new, I just don't want to rock the boat and cause a stink. Pun intended. lol

You have ever right to mention it. It's supposed to be a healing place, not one that makes you sick.

There is a difference between using natural scents and the cheap perfume of plug-ins and oils/incense. I would simply tell her you have asthma and the air fresheners and other scents she is using trigger it and make you ill; it is a very common side effect and I am surprised she has not thought about/run into the problem before or did not ask you before she saw you if you have a problem with artificial scents or perfume. It is her responsibility to decide what to do in the situation, whether she wants to refer you to someone else or rearrange her usual way of working (change offices for your session, make you first as you suggested, etc.).

You definitely need to bring this up. People don't realize this kind of things can trigger allergies/asthma. My guess is she'd be quite willing to make some changes. If not, that would be telling about her.

I would just tell her. I am sure the 2 of you could work something out so that you don't end up having an asthma attack. You are not asking for special treatment you are asking to be able to breath.

I am highly allergic to real Christmas trees and wreaths. My throat and airways close up. The trees and wreaths are quite common in my area. Years ago my T at the time had a real wreath. I didn't say anything because i felt bad. I was sick for days and had trouble breathing. When T found out she was so upset that I didn't say anything. The first year I saw current T we got into a discussion about the trees and she talked about how much she loved real ones.. I told her about my allergy and she will not keep any in her office. My breathing is more important to her.

It's not like you just want special treatment - you need it for medical reason. It's a very reasonable issue to bring up with your therapist. Even though she does have a reason to use those scents, there are many other ways to help create a positive atmosphere in a therapeutic setting; if her therapy practice relied only upon scents, I'd be concerned about her skills as a therapist ... What I'm trying to say is, you're not asking for an unreasonable change that will negatively affect other clients; you're asking for a small change that will make a great difference to you, and this is just an assertive way of looking together with your therapist for a solution so that you can work together.

She sounds like a crazy person with a farting problem. How does she not know that that stuff is bad for you?? It coats your lungs! You may as well be smoking cigarettes!

I was going to sublet an apartment for a few months one time, and i started coughing, and i dont have asthma or anything, altho i do get bronchitis if i get a cold. I dont know WHAT was in that apartment, incense or those scent things or what, but i was choking. I had to not do the sublet.

I would question her competence because of this. Otoh, i do believe in aromatherapy, i like my mint and rosemary and eucalyptus in the morning to wake me up, and my jasmine and florals to lull me to sleep, and my lilac to cheer me up anytime, but i also believe in informed consent before foisting chemicals on someone. Esp inhaled chemicals!!

It helps the smells are in the lobby and not her office, but I will try to get up the courage to say something. With my old T, I could say anything. With a new T, I am still trying to get my feet wet with her. Thanks everyone for your input.
Her office is so awesome, she has many things in there to help ground trauma patients and to play with! I really like her and finally found someone who wasn't just trained in EMDR, but is an actual trauma specialist. This one is a "keeper" I think, so I don't want to rock the boat yet.

A lot of offices do not have candles or aromatherapy for that very reason. You never know what associations or allergies people with have.

Sterility can be triggering too.

Is it possible to have a room that doesn't smell of anything?

As a lifelong asthmatic I have similar problems. Heavy perfumes, air fresheners, and others trigger my asthma. I have difficulty walking down the laundry detergent aisle at the store because most everything is heavily scented.

I think you should be honest. There are lots of us that cannot tolerate such and she probably has never even considered that it might be a problem for some of her clients.

Last month I walked into my T's office and stopped dead in my tracks. Backed out of room immediately and stood in the hall. She looked at me questioningly and I said, tho holding my breath, that smell!

She had an explanation but I didn't hear it because I was headed to bathroom to vomit due to an instant blinding migraine. She went and found a conference room for us to meet, but I could still smell it on her and I was mad at her for being so insensitive (tho she didn't know my issue).

It took 2 weeks for the smell to leave the room, but she says she'll never do it again.

Tell your T. It's a dealbreaker.

Yes, definitely say something. You don't need to add not being able to breathe to your worries.
I'm actually surprised the professional has not come across anyone else who had this difficulty. Being able to breathe is a reasonable request.

Thanks everyone! I am going to try to get up the nerve in my next appointment. If it was my old T, I wouldn't even hesitate to ask. But its hard when you don't know them that well to ask something like this. But for me, I really like this T and think she is a very good one for me, so it is worth taking a chance. I am sure it will work out, she seems like a very reasonable T so far with a good sense of humor.

Hi. My Ts place often have fresh flowers which trigger my allergies and asthma. I mentioned this early on and my T said straight off, if they are bugging me say so, and he will move them. It's not really special treatment. Would be like a client in a wheelchair worrying about asking for ramp access A good T has your best interest at heart.

^^^ Excellent Point!

Let us know how it goes.

No pressure at all! lol
My problem is if I say I am going to do it, I do it. Now I have to do it because I put it in writing. lol

That sound like a good problem to have. and if your therapist has a good sense of humor, I believe she is a keeper. I feel better once I get things out that are bothering me. The quicker you do it, the sooner you can move on to other things. Good luck.

sending encouragement to you