[LuLu80]

I am a therapist and have worked for over two years at a community mental health clinic. I absolutely loved my job and I was very close to my clients. However, my boss and I didn't get along for several reasons. Administration decided it would be best for me to transfer to another clinic in the same company, and I was given no choice. I was told on a Wednesday that I would start my new job on Monday. I was unable to have closure with my clients... many of them found out I left by getting a letter in the mail. Let me tell you that this broke my heart. I am still so angry at the company for doing this to me and damaging my clients. It was unethical. I share this b/c it's important to remember that therapists have problems of their own and sometimes things happen outside of their control that hurt their clients. I understand those of you who fear abandonment, and although this situation was out of my hands, I still feel a great deal of guilt.... Just thought I would share.

[ECHOES]

LuLu80,

I'm sorry this happened to you.

Can your clients see you in the new clinic since it's in the same company?

I did experience something very similar. I arrived for my session, the receptionist said "He isn't here anymore.". When I couldn't comprehend what those words were conveying, he said "Didn't you get a letter?!". (No, I only check my mail about once a week.) When I still couldn't comprehend this, he put his hands to his mouth, like a megaphone, and shouted "HE ISN'T HERE ANYMORE!!!". Not only was I devastated but I was very offended and humiliated. I'm hard of hearing and I was distraught and that was rudely insensitive to have happen on top of the shock of T being gone!

Turns out T had been arrested for having a relationship with a client so his departure, while not unforseen, was sudden and was extremely painful to experience.

LuLu80, I hope you settle in nicely to your new clinic and like it very much. Good that you're getting away from a boss you don't see eye to eye with.

Your previous clients will be okay.

[gardenergirl]

How awful for you and your clients. I had a colleague who experienced something very similar. She was devastated, shocked, and angry. She did the best she could to at least notify those who could notify her clients for her instead of relying on her supervisor. But ugh ugh ugh. That just shouldn't happen that way. I'm sorry it happened to you.

gg

[gardenergirl]

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ECHOES said:
When I still couldn't comprehend this, he put his hands to his mouth, like a megaphone, and shouted "HE ISN'T HERE ANYMORE!!!". Not only was I devastated but I was very offended and humiliated. I'm hard of hearing and I was distraught and that was rudely insensitive to have happen on top of the shock of T being gone!


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How rude! How awful for you to learn of this that way. Uncalled for, imo. I hope your new arrangement is better all around.

gg

Thank you for sharing this.
It's something that some of us might not know or realize-- that sometimes-- it's not that we are rejectable or that a therapist doens't care-- sometimes-- circumstances are such that we get hurt but the T. had little or no control over it...... can be so hard for some of us though-- to give them reasonable doubt-- internalizing things can be automatic and overwhelming, so much so that it's blinding.

thanks again though-- it helps to hear this.

mandy

[Fuzzybear]

Very insightful post Mandy, and is true for other situations as well sometimes

[Fuzzybear]

Echoes, that absolutely STINKS! Growl

[LuLu80]

Mandy, yes, that was very insightful. I wish that no one would feel rejected by this situation but I'm sure it was inevitable. I don't see a therapist, but I see a psychiatrist whom I adore. He is the best doc I've ever had. The thought of him disappearing is more than I can bear, and if that happened I'm certain I'd internalize it as well.