File from Xtherapist

I heard that my xTherapist is quitting his practice, already has. So, I emailed him and told him I would like my files and that I would like to send him a letter about how I am doing if he didn't mind. He didn't return the email, so now I know how he feels.

So I then asked him if I could review my files. I don't care where or with whom I do this. I don't care how he feels about me,
I made it. I went into therapy with a competent therapist and he has been tremendously helpful. Alot of people notice the difference in me.

I hope he will contact me in a timely fashion so I can look at them. Or take them with me. Has anyone else tried to see your files and what happened? Thanks.

One place i requested my files from would only release them to another therapist to go over with me. I didn't bother. Another place did send them to me. I don't know what I was expecting, but the therapy notes were very factual (no opinions), short and direct. For ex: patient states depressed mood. Stuff like that. Another t said I could see my files anytime I asked, but with her present and she explained that she didn't put anything but a few words in my official file. She kept separate personal notes that she never releases to anyone as they aren't part of her official records and for her own private use. I never asked to see them.

I've never been interested in my therapy files. I know what went on in my sessions, and I had seen enough of his notes to realize there was nothing particularly interpretive in them; they were simply quick, factual notes about what we had discussed. Nothing really to see there.

I would be interested in seeing my psychiatrist's notes because they are MUCH more detailed, they would remind me of all the meds we tried and how I responded (I've forgotten much of it I am sure), and they also contain notes concerning my hospitalizations and ECT treatments that I know I don't have good nor objective memory of. My psychiatric file is actually three VERY thick files -- pretty bad when your medical files have an annex. One day I might ask for them, but I suspect it would cost a fortune to get them -- they charge by the page usually (learned that from getting my husband's medical files).

I transferred my information when I changed therapist. I didn't confirm, but I believe therapy file, like other medical record, is our property and they should disclose it if patients request. I asked to send it directly to my new therapist, so I didn't review it, but all I had to do was sign a document and fax it.

My T would only send them to another T, she said that was her policy. But then my new T scanned them and didn't want to keep the hard copies so she gave them to me. I don't know what the big deal was. It was so blah and not informative at all. No mention of our sessions or what we talked about. Just a date , patient seems depressed, had CBT therapy, patient taking medications and reports no harm to self or others, next appt. blah blah blah. That was it, for each session. I know she was keeping personal notes because in each session we would go over the previous session issues. I think they do that though to protect the client and that the only way you would get the private notes would be some type of court order. But good luck with it.