[mindmechanic]

I have spoken to the therapist on the phone while she was behind the wheel in the past, but it was never a session; she said she never charges for phone calls while she is driving. However, she now says that she has changed her position on that because she was able to manage phone sessions while driving. So now she actually provides phone therapy sessions while driving.

Is that safe or even professional? Safety aside, there is no way a therapist can provide patients with the same full attention as they deserve when s/he is driving on the road versus in the office.

Thst sounds absolutely crazy to me. How is she supposed to be focused on you, the client while she's driving? There's no way I would pay a therapist for that.

I wouldn't pay for that. I think that is very unprofessional and even greedy.

[Rose76]

That is just raw greed. I would have nothing to do with such a therapist.

[stopdog]

Have you ever seen the tv show Head Case with Alexandra Wentworth as Dr. Goode - a therapist to the stars? She often cancels appointments to go shopping and talks to her clients in the car. It is really funny - I recommend it if you can find it.
That is what this reminds me of. I would not pay a therapist to talk to me while they were driving in their car

[Wonderfalls]

Also that's pretty dangerous for anyone in traffic with her.

I assume she is using a hands free device like a speaker phone. You deserve her undivided time and attention.

I do have a question though: from whom are the calls originating?

Part of me says you need to take some responsibility in these situations. Personally I wouldn't accept any kind of conversation over a speaker phone at all and certainly not while someone is driving. I simply tell the person to call me when they have proper time to devote to a conversation. Insist upon it. There is nothing wrong with doing so. To continue conversing though is giving the other the message you find such behavior acceptable. Put your foot down.

[luvyrself]

Originally Posted by mindmechanic

I have spoken to the therapist on the phone while she was behind the wheel in the past, but it was never a session; she said she never charges for phone calls while she is driving. However, she now says that she has changed her position on that because she was able to manage phone sessions while driving. So now she actually provides phone therapy sessions while driving aside.

Is that safe or even professional? Safety aside, there is no way a therapist can provide patients with the same full attention as they deserve when s/he is driving on the road versus in the office.

—-I know you’re serious but this is so ridiculous in every way that you could also post it under the humor section. It is so hard to get good care. Have to keep trying.

[Fernwehxx]

This us absolutely unprofessional and not safe. I would not say yes to that at all.

[maybeblue]

This wouldn't be OK with me either. She will be distracted from either you or driving, and neither is OK. If she is in private practice I expect the only thing you could really do is tell her that you don't want to do this and why. If she is at an agency, I would consider talking to her supervisor and seeing if that is policy. Either way, unless I was seriously attached or felt she was particularly good in other areas, I would consider terminating. It just seems like really bad judgement which would make me not trust her.

This is unacceptable in my book. I am surprised that she even admits it but at least you know how sketchy she is.

[mindmechanic]

Well; I'm very shocked and disappointed that the therapist does phone therapy sessions while driving. I have seen her for over two years now, and the fact that she is doing something so unprofessional now is surprising to me.

[kecanoe]

Will she commit to just seeing you in person and/or being in her office when she does phone sessions?

[mindmechanic]

We are still doing in-person. But I asked if she had time to talk today - it isn't our regular therapy day. And she said that she could talk at a certain time while driving in transit. I asked if it was a session because she never did sessions while driving unless it was a call regarding schedule. She said that yes, she changed her position oj that based on having managed it before.

[kecanoe]

I guess the only way that you would really know if she is accurate would be to try a phone session. There are areas in my state where you can pretty much pay attention to a phone call and areas where you would be foolish to even attempt such a thing. Or just pass when she suggests the driving sessions.

I have spoken to my T when he is driving. It's not as good as face to face, but when I am in a jam, it has helped. However, he doesn't charge for that.

[mindmechanic]

Originally Posted by kecanoe

I guess the only way that you would really know if she is accurate would be to try a phone session. There are areas in my state where you can pretty much pay attention to a phone call and areas where you would be foolish to even attempt such a thing. Or just pass when she suggests the driving sessions.

I have spoken to my T when he is driving. It's not as good as face to face, but when I am in a jam, it has helped. However, he doesn't charge for that.

@kecanoe, I see that you're in Illinois. Guess what? We're in the third largest city in the US. She would probably be driving along LSD to the northern suburbs.

[AllHeart]

Holy guacamole that's some goofy **** right there. So, she's not only unable to provide the client her undivided attention and focus 100% on "being there" for the client, but she's not able to focus 100% on the road either. That is a service I would never pay for. Yikes. Not to mention the potential for abrupt interruptions. Imagine a client pouring their heart out to the t only to be interrupted with t honking her car horn and cursing at some jerk that just cut her off. Ya know?

While I wouldn't expect a t to not get paid for their services, I would expect the services I do pay for to be conducted in a professional, safe manner.

[Rose76]

Here's another little thing. I suspect what she's doing is illegal - on two fronts. The local cops or state highway patrol could probably ticket her for using her phone while driving. Her professional board would probably deem it bad practice for her to be counseling while driving and even worse to be charging for it. You could contact the professional board without giving her name and see what they say.

I'll bet she wouldn't want the Board to know what she's doing.

[healinginprogress]

Add me to the not OK group. I mean, it's just common sense. Also, is she driving for the full time? Because she's getting into the car, driving, getting to her destination, etc., etc? It really makes no sense.

[mindmechanic]

I just got off the phone with her. She said that because phone calls had helped in me the past and we have done short phone calls while she was driving in the past and they were helpful, she made that offer earlier on.

[AllHeart]

Originally Posted by mindmechanic

I just got off the phone with her. She said that because phone calls had helped in me the past and we have done short phone calls while she was driving in the past and they were helpful, she made that offer earlier on.

Yes, but did she explain why she is going to charge you for that type of service now? How does she justify charging a client when she can't be fully present for them?

[mindmechanic]

Originally Posted by AllHeart

Yes, but did she explain why she is going to charge you for that type of service now? How does she justify charging a client when she can't be fully present for them?

I asked her that question. Her response was that she feels that she is adequately present enough for me in the moment.

[stopdog]

I am afraid I would respond "Feelings are not fact" and not use her for phone appointments.

Sorry, but therapy sessions on the phone while driving is plain weird. I don't know why she has to drive at the same time. If she's trying to squeeze you in somewhere because she doesn't have enough time, then either she needs to do a better of job managing her time or say "sorry, I can't do it."

Also, I have a hard time with her saying what's adequate and what's not. She's not you; she can't tell you if she is "adequately present" or not. You're the one who has to tell her if she is adequately present. She can't decide that for you.

[WarmFuzzySocks]

It is irresponsible.