Would you call a covering T?

Just a point of clarification:

My T's message didn't say anything about emergencies, clinical or not, true or not. It simply said that so and so was covering and gave his number.

Personally, I didn't have any doubts about calling. I just wouldn't. I am not necessarily proud of that, and wish I was less rigid. I was curious about how others felt about it and wanted to offer this up as a topic for discussion. However, I must say that I believe that when in doubt, you probably should call. You know, err on the side of caution. Better to be safe and if T didn't want you to call he wouldn't leave the number. I think that most T's would want you to feel that you had someone to talk to if you needed to.

Pain flair ups come in many forms, physical and mental. When the pain hits hard, Ts want us to call.

If I weren't so fortunate to have such phenomenal support I would probably call the covering T.

I think that we all need to avail ourselves of the help that is around when we need it!



1 week 3 days till my next appointment
6 days till I can call T

Yes I would call a covering T, and I have. The last time was yesterday, and it wasn't a very good experience. But it was better than nothing and I am doing much better today.

I think the problem with talking to the covering T was that he was a male T. A female T is my preference.

The last time I had to call, a female T was on call and she was so caring and calming. She didn't know me, but it didn't matter. She even told me she was going to call back to check on me, and she did. It helped a lot.

No I probably wouldn't. I can barely call mine.

I agree... when I called covering T.. it was also a woman.. and that made a huge difference to me..

Yes the gender thing matters. I would almost (and that's a big almost) call my pdoc first. At least he knows me. And at least he's not female. However that's not possible at this point for me because he's technically now my ex-pdoc. But I'm hoping I will get through T's absence without incident. Lots of pain, yes. But without incident.

Thanks pinksoil...your post was so much clearer...

yes...I should have said.. at the time I was seeing a female T so getting a female covering T was important to me.

I now see a male T and it would be important to me that I get a male covering T..

not sure why that is true for me..so strange..

I don't think the gender of the covering T matters to me. I like Pink's idea of calling Pdoc. I hadn't even thought of that but in a pinch, he would do. At least he knows me and I sort of like him in a clinical way. It's not the same relationship by any stretch, but he's aware of my issues and family stresses. Good idea.


1 week 2 days till my next appointment
5 days till I can call T

Crap. For one second it kinda makes me wish I didn't ditch my pdoc before T went away. I mean I hate the guy and all, but at least it would have been an option. Leave it to me to come up with a sensible idea that can't be executed. There's no way I could call him now after making an appointment with a new doctor. When I told T on Friday that I made an appointment with a new pdoc he was like, "Um, do plan on informing your current pdoc of this?" No. He got the idea. He would be doing the informing, lol. So I don't even know if my current (or ex) pdoc knows that I made an appointment with a new doctor. But because of the situation I would never call him. Now I feel even a bit more scared and alone without T here.

sister... I have also called my pdoc... as a covering...

one of my T didn't have anyone to cover for her at all.. just the 911 thing.. and she went on 2 week vacations several times a year...

My pdoc, I have a history with.. and that went pretty good.. he was very understanding about the whole thing.. made me feel very connected and grounded...so all in all - it was good..

This discussion is bringing back memories for me. When I was with my first counselor, a woman, she told me at a session that she would not be available for a couple of weeks as she was going on vacation. She said she had someone covering for her (a woman) and that if I wanted I could see her for sessions until she returned. I was so clueless about therapy at that time, and I had so little of a bond with my counselor, that I considered this very seriously as she posed the option. I think she was kind of taken aback that I actually considered it! As if one counselor was identical to another and could just step into another's shoes at your regularly scheduled appointment time each week. Anyway, after considering it briefly during the session, I decided it would be too much hassle to try to bring another counselor up to date on my problems, so I declined the offer.

My current therapist, to whom I am strongly attached, has never offered a replacement to me when he goes away, which is rarely. And I would not see his replacement if he went away, because a lot of what I am able to accomplish in therapy is due to our relationship. Plus I am a phone-phobe and would have a hard time talking to a stranger. I have a hard enough time called T as it is, which has really only been once. I've never called his answering machine to see if he has left the name of anyone to call while he is away. His regular away message does list the number of a crisis clinic to call if you need someone in an emergency. I think all registered counselors in my state are required to have such a message. I guess if I were in an emergency situation, I would call that number. I wouldn't care if I spoke to a male or female as it's an emergency and I think any person trained to handle emergencies would do. I'm not asking to form a relationship with them.