I met "fru fru" T

Well, today I finally met the "fru fru" T - the one who looked like a fashion model in her photo.

It was a relief to discover that not only does she totally get my personality/sarcastic humor, but she doesn't look like a perfect barbie doll- she was very normal and approachable and I quite liked her.

It took all my willpower not to ask why she posted such a glamour shot type of photo on her website, though, because it made her come across as intimidating.

Anyway I had asked to be seen every other week, but she wants to see me every week (at least for the first month), and I'm not entirely sure I can handle it financially, lol During christmas time. But christmas aside, its still a huge amount to go weekly.

What should I do? Ask again for every other, or just not reschedule with her?

Did you ask if she could do a sliding scale, or take delayed payment?

If you cannot afford weekly then you just tell her you cannot do weekly and see what she says

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I guess decide if you're willing to accept the financial strain that weekly sessions would entail. I think she should respect your stated financial limits. I've at times decided to that trade off of the additional support and whatnot that I get from more frequent therapy is worth the strain on my finances. But that was my decision to make, not my therapist's.

Did that already prior to even scheduling the appointment and she said she needed to meet me first before she could say whether or not biweekly was going to be alright.

She met me and decided biweekly was not alright.

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Why does she get to decide?? If biweekly is not ok by her then she needs a plan that works for you. That's her issue. Why are you letting her dictate this?

If you can only do every other week for what ever reason it is, then that is all you can do. If your T can't accept that, find a new one that can.

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I've actually had at least four therapists tell me no, they would not see me at that frequency due to the severity of my issues.

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See if she has any ideas on how to make this arrangement of meeting weekly financially feasible for you. I wouldn't think a T would want you to add the stress of financial strain due to therapy onto your current issues. Hopefully she has sort of payment strategies for people in your situation (ie. sliding scale, payment plans, reduced rates, etc.).

Another approach might be to say that although weekly is financially not viable, could she give homework for the intervening week for you to work on by yourself.

I would just tell her that, maybe call and say I know you asked me to come every week but unfortunately I just cant afford it, so would every 2 weeks work? Then wait for her reply

And really, how can she really know from a single first meeting....

Don't mean to be negative here, but patients must stand up for their rights, their needs, their desires.

Good Luck!

Ask for sliding scale. I really don't understand how they don't do sliding scale? One needs to make a ton of money to pay full amount weekly. My t charges close to $200. Seeing her weekly would be 800 a month gee I make good money but this is crazy. Ask her for some type of discount

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Did you have to wait (days? weeks?) to get in to see her?

I think she might be realistic that she can't help with such infrequent meetings.

Here is an example. It's like if a student with lack of basic math skills wants me to tutor him so he can get 36 on ACT or A in Pre calculus yet says he will see me biweekly. Seeing him twice a month wouldn't accomplish anything. So either see me weekly or look for a different tutor. I am not going to take money from a kid if I know the goal will not be accomplished

How does she know? If she is experienced she wouldn't take long to know that clients need more than occasional meeting if they want to get better

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Meh.....
Still the patient needs to stand up for their needs, their rights. And besides if she can't afford it, she can't afford it. Something else needs to be done.

I think this is exactly where she is coming from.

Also she reduced her fee by $25 already (from 150 to 125)

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Yea- go see a crappy t covered by my insurance instead

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Your choice. I'm just trying to support what you expressed in your initial post.

Good Luck!

I think she may be realistic about your need for weekly sessions. Therapy seems to me to be pretty powerful and there is a great risk of it doing more harm than good, perhaps that is where she is coming from. I don't think fortnightly sessions would be any good got me. I feel too insecure for it. Is there any way you can come to some kind of compromise with her where she lowers her fee slightly more and you do more babysitting or something, or reduce your outgoings?

I agree. That's why I wondered if she would offer sliding scale or discount. I used to use sliding scale t and it was affordable

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Oh ok that's something. Still a lot. I can't pay 125 a week as its 600 a month. I can't imagine unless maybe I stop other payments. Not doable

I used to pay 40 a session and I was making maybe like mis 30k. I had to bring proof of my income. That was years ago.



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No, that's the thing- it isn't a choice. This is Her livelihood. She doesn't HAVE to reduce her fee or agree to see me at reduced frequency because I can't afford her rate. She can if she wants to, of course. But at the end of the day, the something else that needs to be done is me finding someone I CAN afford, whether or not they are an ideal match for me.

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Lol not enough time in the day for more babysitting. And no room in my car. Sometimes I even have four kids at once- every seat in my car filled. With little boys between the ages of 6 and 12.

But the best part of that is when I'm overlapping kids I get $20 an hour. (10 an hour from each set of parents.)

But parent of the second set of kids just lost his job, so my job with the kids is over until he finds a new one.

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I don't know where you live but I never had a problem finding t. We have large clinics with like bunch of Ts. No one ever asked what's the issue until I sat down for appt. I am pretty sure many take state insurance. Many of my students see a t and pdoc and its covered by state insurance, they all on state insurance

Do you live in small town?

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