[growlycat]

The security guard of kashi's building let something confidential slip as he let me into the building. The security guard is a nice guy but Kashi has called him "a bit of a stickler for the rules". Well not today but it just sort of slipped out of his mouth. He is usually chatty as he walks me to the elevator and swipes his access badge to let me upstairs. He asked where I work and I said corporate offices of company X. He blurted out "you too?" I was confused and asked who do you mean. He said "Kashi" would be mad at me. So at least he caught himself and did not say anything more.

Kashi had a confusion between me and another new patient early on and I worried it was someone with the same first name in my department at work. Kashi later clarified that this person with my name was not at my co or the other designer I work with. But he did waffle and say if someone at my same company saw him he could not disclose of course. I now know that he hedged because he is seeing a coworker. But there are at least 600-1200 people at my Corp campus. Maybe I don't even know the person. How weird if it was someone I work with.

Ever find out that someone you know sees your t OR has confidentiality been breached in an unusual way?

[stopdog]

I know someone who sees or used to see the first woman. It had its odd moments.

[ruh roh]

That security guard is really out of line to be asking clients where they work, let alone telling others about it. I hope you tell Kashi about this. His earlier mix up was probably about the name of your company, not someone with a similar name. Mine said to me not long ago, out of the blue, that she would not talk about me to anyone, not even if someone mentioned to her that they saw me coming out of her office and that we were known to each other. I couldn't think of a single person that would know her, since I go to another city to see her. It was unsettling. I know how you feel.

I referred one of my co-workers to t, but I have no idea if my coworker ever called her or not. And t of course would never tell me. Sounds like the security guard was out of line.

[velcro003]

Nope...I highly doubt any of my co-workers see my T, as I have only about 6 co-workers. No weird confidentiality breaches either; though my T did tell me once that one of her clients used to play on the same derby team as me...which I thought was weird because I feel like it wouldn't be that hard to figure out. Turns out this person quit before I started, so in the end, no big deal.

[WrkNPrgress]

Originally Posted by growlycat

Ever find out that someone you know sees your t OR has confidentiality been breached in an unusual way?

Actually I found my therapist through a coworker. And I know for a fact that at least another friend to see her as well. Occasionally My friends and I even share a little inside joke about her methods and her office. We are pretty tightknit group Who are health conscious and aware. None of us really see therapy as a stigma.

But there's never been any confidentiality breach on my therapist side or our own for that matter. We never joke or talk about the details of our own therapy with each other.

My therapist once alluded to seeing multiple members of a single family and knowing her role to play in listening to each one individually with an understanding that each one has their own perspective on an issue and each one is valid. I took that to be her way of telling me that I can talk about my coworkers if I need to it's not a big deal. The very few times I've actually mentioned one of my friends names that I know she sees she doesn't blink an eye or make any hint of a suggestion that she knows who I'm talking about.

[WrkNPrgress]

On another note the couples counselor I had with my ex also saw a friend of ours which was kind of funny because that was a friend we constantly complained about. Before we realized this counselor was in fact seeing that same friend still it was no big deal. When you're in the room with your therapist they should be YOUR therapist. It shouldn't really matter who else they're seeing outside of your time.

Oh wow, I think kashi would be very angry if he knew this. I would feel very uncomfortable with that security guard asking where you work. It's outta line.

Remember, the guy is a security guard, not a therapist. He was just making small talk.

[kecanoe]

I have referred people to my ts. I figure they have their own stuff to talk about and I trust that t won't reveal anything personal about me. For me it is a non-issue, although I do feel awkward when I see someone I know in the waiting room at t3. She is in a large practice and always runs late, so I spend about a half hour in the waiting room each week. And "how are you?" feels like a weird question in a counseling waiting room.

[brillskep]

My therapist and I are trained in the same psych association so few times a year we may attend the same professional workshops. He likes to have sup[ervision during the workshops if it is offered and wants me to leave if he does. Given that we have mutual colleagues who see me leave every time when he has supervision, they can easily figure out I'm his client, so I see this as a breach of confidentiality, even though my therapist disagrees. My solution has been to skip more than just his supervision (and it's group supervision and lately he stopped even texting when he's done as he used to, just when the whole group is done). Fortunately last year I found a program in the same association that doesn't allow for supervision during the workshop, so I can attend the whole duration that I paid for even if my therapist is there, and this also seems to solve the issue of my confidentiality.

Twice we realized I had students who were seeing my therapist because we actually ran into each other at his office. T handled it on his end with the students themselves and it really was not an issue.

[xenko]

I know someone whose confidentiality was breached. Tables were eventually turned on them. They STILL didn't get it!!! Whaaa??? They were so dense they never even realized payback from a higher power.

Well, is it actually a problem if people who work together see the same therapist? Or if they know they see the same T, given that the T treats privacy appropriately? If you are concerned, maybe tell Kashi that the guard was asking too personal questions so he can be reminded and will also get a reminder to handle privacy of clients appropriately.

[ruh roh]

I don't see the security guard as any different than a receptionist chatting people up and sharing information about clients with other clients--it's not okay. Sorry, growlycat, this guy's actions really bug me. I would be surprised if your therapist is okay with this.

Originally Posted by ruh roh

I don't see the security guard as any different than a receptionist chatting people up and sharing information about clients with other clients--it's not okay. Sorry, growlycat, this guy's actions really bug me. I would be surprised if your therapist is okay with this.

I agree with ruh roh. The security guard knows who he is working with and will have been briefed on confidentiality issues (obviously he had otherwise he wouldn't have stopped himself). Therefore it really is a professional error on the part of the guard. Hope you're not feeling too unsettled growly.

Originally Posted by ruh roh

That security guard is really out of line to be asking clients where they work, let alone telling others about it. I hope you tell Kashi about this. His earlier mix up was probably about the name of your company, not someone with a similar name.

Agree on all counts. I can't believe how inappropriately that guard acted.

I once ran into an acquaintance who was coming out from T's office. It was very problematic, though eventually it was resolved without any information being leaked (it was obviously extremely uncomfortable all the same, and I try never to be in contexts where I might meet that person). Not least problematic because of course I could not discuss it with T.

Knowing the low level of training most security guards go through and the low level of pay they receive, you are overestimating the level of confidentiality a basic security guard would be charged with. He's just a regular old joe working for his pay; expecting actual confidentiality from a basic security guard is really expecting a bit much. Give the guy a break. Sorry, but confidentiality is not high on his duty list. It was a slip and he's just a regular working stiff.

ETA: The other thing is if he is security for the whole building and Kashi isn't the only tenant, he's not Kashi's employee; he is employed by the building owner and there are probably several different tenants of different types in the building.

[velcro003]

Originally Posted by Crocus

Not least problematic because of course I could not discuss it with T.

Why couldn't you talk about it with your T?

[nottrustin]

The only people who I know who have seen T is clients in the IOP program I work at. I handle paperwork, referrals, etc so I knew who sees who. I have never brought it up and neither has T.

Pdoc is different story a perso who use to be a good friends lives wirh my stepdad. Pdoc knows that this person and I are "related". While I have never outright said anything and neither has Pdoc we know. I nevet used my stepfathers name pdoc knows the abuse I suffered. For whatever reason she never put 3 and 3 together which is how I wanted it. A few weeks aho I said his name anf by the look on her face I know Pdoc put things together. I appologized for using his name. All she said was I never put It together until now. We moved on as I knew shr was trying to maintain confidentiality but was struggling.

[growlycat]

Originally Posted by lolagrace

Remember, the guy is a security guard, not a therapist. He was just making small talk.

It really did come out of random small talk. He stopped himself from saying any more. Still not great but an honest mistake

[growlycat]

Originally Posted by ruh roh

I don't see the security guard as any different than a receptionist chatting people up and sharing information about clients with other clients--it's not okay. Sorry, growlycat, this guy's actions really bug me. I would be surprised if your therapist is okay with this.

Kashi would be pissed off if he knew. But this security guard is really a friendly and helpful guy. If he had told me the name of the other person that would make me say something. This seemed like a spontaneous slip up.

Originally Posted by velcro003

Why couldn't you talk about it with your T?

Because it was one of his clients. He would not be able to even confirm that the person had been to see him. I would be allowed to say whatever I pleased, I don't mean that he would think I was out of line, but speaking into a vacuum is not particularly helpful.

Mind you, the upside of this is that I get the same total confidentiality from T. I can be completely sure that he would never mention anything about me to anyone.

As regards the original dilemma, I know that I am a very different person - I would not see a T if I had to deal with any kind of chatter or small talk from associated staff, however friendly. It would make me very uncomfortable. So my response is coloured by that.

[growlycat]

With Kashi, his building is open weekends but has tighter security. During the week elevator access does not require a badge. That is the downside of weekend appointments.

On the plus side, I had a situation where my car was one of three in the parking lot yet a bunch of young guys were just milling around my car. These security guys went out to see what they were up to. So the security guys have been helpful to me.

[ruh roh]

Originally Posted by growlycat

Kashi would be pissed off if he knew. But this security guard is really a friendly and helpful guy. If he had told me the name of the other person that would make me say something. This seemed like a spontaneous slip up.

Kashi would be pissed because what this guy is doing is wrong. I mean, if it was just small talk, that's one thing, but he asks and remembers details about people.

Okay, I will let this go. It's my issue. I've had random "friendly" men experiences that went badly, so this is probably triggering me. Sorry. At least the confidentiality breach is not on Kashi's side. So that's all good.