[MissCharlotte]

So today I called T's phone number to hear his vacation message. (Can't believe I haven't done this before now!)

He gave his away dates and the name and phone number of a covering T.

Personally, I wouldn't call this covering T under any circumstance that I could possibly imagine. If I had a huge emergency like a death or something I think I would call T's cell phone and leave a message. If he didn't call back, then I still wouldn't call the covering T. I mean, the whole thing is the personal relationship, so how could a covering T possibly help?

Under what circumstance would you call a covering T?

1 week 5 days till my next appointment
1 week 1 day till I can call

I can understanding calling a covering psychiatrist for med purposes. But a covering T? No way. I would rather talk to a plant. I guess it's for complete crisis situations though-- psychiatric emergencies. I'm sure some people would do it.... it could make the difference in saving a life.... if someone was seriously suicidal and their T was on vacation..... they call the message and the option is no T or covering T.. so they decide to call a covering T in crisis... you know, maybe it's more for resources.... the covering T could direct them to the appropriate resource, whether it be a hospital or whatever... I'm just playing devil's advocate here. I personally wouldn't do it, but I'm thinking of ways it could serve a purpose.

P.S.... you just called to hear his voice on the vacation msg. now??? Where have you been??? lol

[MyBestKids2]

I wouldn't be able to do it if I had a long standing good relationship with my current T. How are they supposed to know about you, how you feel, whats going on??? Nah, I wouldn't do it, IMO.

Take gentle care,
Dee

[SecretGarden]

I did call once for a med refill.

But yes it is the relationship and the history of all that is known. I would not be inclined to call the covering doc.

Agreed.... What took you so long to call? LOL... Just kidding........(how embarrassing to admit.)

Hi SG! I've missed you! Hope things are okay.

Yeah Sister, really...... I would have been listening to that message before he even packed his suitcase, lol.

well... my experience I guess is a little different from the ones posted already...

Yes... I did it.. I called the covering T.... yepper I did...

My T was out for 8 weeks... for medical... and it was emergency for her so not planned..

and I had a very bad meltdown.. so I talked to the covering T over the phone.. a few times during that 8 weeks...

She was somehow able to "center" me and get me back on track... maybe she was just really special.. but it worked... I needed someone, she was there.. and I was really grateful....

[MissCharlotte]

Pinksoil said:

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
P.S.... you just called to hear his voice on the vacation msg. now??? Where have you been??? lol

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I have been in deep denial and I don't mean the river.

And I suppose I just admitted to myself today that I really, really miss him.

And having said that, I really really hate him.

As secret said, I'm half way there.

[MissCharlotte]

Wow, Freewill,

I am glad you were able to get relief, support and help from the covering T. It's good to know that there is a place for this practice and that it works!



1 week 5 days till my next appintment
1 week 1 day till I can call

[SecretGarden]

Hi Pink.... Digging out from down under but think I just may make it. Love your avatar btw.

Freewill.... Glad that that T was there for you.

[confused4ever]

I too called a covering T before. My T was on vacation for 2 weeks and I had a meltdown. He left me her number if I needed her, she knew what was going on with me, my T uses her for help with me, she is a therapist that deals with CSA victims, my T usually doesnt deal in this field. But I won't let him go....... She helped when I needed it, and she also contacted my T for me and he called me while on his vacation............

I also listened to his vacation message.......it is kind of embarrassing to admit that, but it at least kept me connected to him,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Nope. When my T has left before she left the number to the girl who works in the same building as she does. I could never bring myself to call her. I'd just continue to write emails as stuff happened so my T had updates as to what happened while she was away. I don't think I could ever call a therapist covering for my T. Just doesn't feel right.

[Soidhonia]

(((SISTER))). If you feel the need for comfort and advice if you are feeling emotionally weak it is okay to call and just get confirmation that you will be okay from the covering therapist until the therapist is back from vacation. I say this because there are generally other emotional issues involved that can cause PTSD and anxiety or other dosorers of mistrust of yur initial therapist if you dont call. Please dpont suffer in silence a cover therapist is there to help when help is needed. If you are thinking thoughts or having feelings that are harmful its time to call the cover therapist. I hope things get better for you sister. If you need to call the cover therapist then call and stop worrying about what others think or would do in your situation. You are you and you need help when you feel the need for help. Take care. Soihdonia

[Perna]

I actually had a relationship with another T in the office my T rented from; my T and I both travelled from opposite, large distances and this was the other T's home office (we actually used her literal office for our sessions) but when my T would go away (and she went away for an average of 3-5 weeks at a time) she'd ask me did I want to call this other T as my backup but I never would :-)

It is hard enough to talk to one's own T much less explain "everything" to a different, strange T, especially during a crisis of some sort?

(((((((((sister)))))))))))))))

Hang in there.. We care about you

[sidony]

I'd never call a covering T myself though I'm glad they provide the option. I definitely think there are times when it could help someone in crisis. But in general, I think it'd be too hard to pick up with a stranger, so I just wait until T can call me back.

Once, my T was away for a day or two and referred another therapist on his voicemail. The therapist he referred was his wife (she's also a therapist obviously). Now I knew she was a shrink, but ask me if I'm really going to call his wife!

NO! Ugh.

Sidony

[MissCharlotte]

((Soidhonia Esther))

Thanks for your support. I called T's voicemail to hear his voice and began thinking about the message. If I was in trouble I would call my SIL who is a T also.

So, I am fortunate to have a support system, but was wondering when anyone might call a covering T.

I miss T an awful lot and yes there is a lot of anxiety surrounding his absence but I don't know this guy so wouldn't be able to reach out to someone I didn't know. Luckily my family member is aware of my Ts vacation and has been calling me frequently. I have also been very busy with my new job and that keeps me somewhat sane.

1 week 4 days till my next appointment
1 week till I can call T

[MissCharlotte]

Stormy,

I don't communicate with T by emails but I write letters to him in my journal. Just before he left for vacation I gave him copies of the letters I wrote when he was away in July.

Yeah, it seems too impersonal to call someone else.



1 week 4 days till my next appointment
1 week till I can call him

[MissCharlotte]

Yay!! I'm glad she was there for you.

Gott love that vacation message, the voice oh yes the voice.

[MissCharlotte]

mybestkids,

Exactly! How would they know you? They wouldn't!

[MissCharlotte]

Oh Sidony,

You must be kidding! His wife? Yeah right. Oh gee, the only thing worse would be his girlfriend!!!! Maybe his mother?

Well, you gave me a good laugh. Thanks.

[WinterRose]

It sure would be hard to call a covering T. I didn't even know they did that. Guess my T's vacations haven't been long enough or I've never called her vm when she was on vacation. Her standard message tells you that the pager service can get ahold of her if necessary. (And of course, go to the hospital if it's an emergancy.) I would expect a cover for a pdoc though, but I'd only call them if I needed meds. It would be hard to talk to someone new. Glad it does work for people though.

I'd like to call my pdoc's vm, but I'm afraid he would answer and then I'd feel dumb. Plus, now that I think about it, his voice usually isn't on there. Bum.

[Lemon]

I don't think I could call a covering T. I can't even call my T, so calling a covering one seems pretty unlikely. I'd like to call my T when she is on vacation just to hear the voicemail message, but I'm guessing she has caller ID (seems like everyone does by now) so she'd see that I called just to listen to her voicemail and then I'd feel weird!

My T has the number of the covering T on his voicemail. It's a woman. Then he says that if you have an emergency to call 911 or go to the emergency room. He told me yesterday that he had to add that because it's the consultation center's policy. I think it's funny because he doesn't say that on his message when he's not on vacation. So you should only call 911 if he's on vacation? lol I think I would rather call 911 than talk to a covering female T. Imagine that? I call 911 and then T comes back and asks what happened... and I say, "Oh, I needed to talk to someone, but I didn't want to talk to your covering T... so judging by your message, I felt 911 was the next best option." lol

[ECHOES]

Well, I will say yes. But only because I nearly did call the person covering for T when T was out for surgery. However, I was only going to call to see if she knew how T was doing. It turned out I didn't have to because as my hand was hovering over the phone, it rang and was T herself, doing just fine.

But I wouldn't call for myself. Call a stranger? How absurd, huh?!

Hang in there sister, you're doing great!

[(JD)]

Usually calling a covering T is restricted for "true clinical emergencies." If you find yourself doubting calling, and then got through your situation without calling, odds are it wasn't really an emergency? You can always call 911, too. Again, if you are debating, then you might be able to do enough good self-care to get through.

When you need someone, really, to talk with, such as during a "melt down" or unexpected crisis, I think one tends to not "care" who is on the other end, you just need help! (That's my nshpo)

I have called a covering T, and even gone in to talk with him. I find that putting off until my own T returns can cause me long term recovery when the other T can help me through. Something that I might call about is when I'm in a pain flare; those tend to not wait for a T's vacation.