I have a prior post lurking somewhere I cannot find.

I posted that my psychologist and psychiatrist are required to report on my sessions to my veteran's affairs case worker. I had no choice but to agree to this as part of the requirements of my case management.

When I first posted, I was going through a great deal of anxiety. I was - and am - feeling considerably vulnerable.

It has been a week now and while still worried I now have feelings of outrage and that I have been violated. I am angry. I feel discredited - again. Once more I have been forced into a position of judgement and the need to justify myself, what happened, and the resulting effects including MST/PTSD (Military Sexual Trauma). I had to do this unsuccessfuly when it happened. I had to do this to prove a case to Veterans' Affairs (Canada), and now - eff it - I must do so again. It feels as though instead of being there to assist and keep me healthy, my mental health team is a predator out to disprove me. It has caused all the pain and memories to come out again.

This is very troubling as it countervenes every ethical expectations I have. Sure I signed waivers but I did so under duress. I had no choice in the matter.

So I brought my anger up this week to the therapist. Instead of talking about it or even indicating an understanding and validation of my feelings, she directed the rest of the session to work on anger management. WTF?

[CantExplain]

((306))

than you

[Fuzzybear]

Lack of understanding and validation of feelings I too have experienced this (irl) from people who are supposed to get it... I don’t get it

[nottrustin]

So sorry you are going through this. Is it possible the requirement is that your provider to say you are attending appointments and maybe that you Re say. I know that is probably more than you want them to say but not much details

[guilloche]

Oh wow. I'm so sorry that the therapist reacted that way, and didn't talk through what was going on, or even try to understand your feelings. That's terrible.... you deserve better.

In situations like that, I often feel like I don't know what to say (or I just freeze up), because I'm surprised and not expecting what happened. Do you think you might bring it up again, but knowing the therapist's likely response... maybe ask directly for some support or help understanding it?

I'd probably want to ask very direct questions to start the conversation. Like, "can you tell me what types of things you're sharing with this other person?" and "are there any safeguards in place for my privacy?". I'd also ask something like, "Realistically, how exactly am I supposed to be feel safe enough to open up to you, knowing that anything that I say may be passed on to others?"

Stuff like that?

Again, I'm sorry. I'd be freaked out too. The whole point of therapy is to be a private, safe space... a container of sorts. It would feel very very broken and pointless to me.

*hugs*

Originally Posted by nottrustin

So sorry you are going through this. Is it possible the requirement is that your provider to say you are attending appointments and maybe that you Re say. I know that is probably more than you want them to say but not much details

I actually asked if this was the case but no, they are sharing my entire files and discussing my cases.

Originally Posted by guilloche

Oh wow. I'm so sorry that the therapist reacted that way, and didn't talk through what was going on, or even try to understand your feelings. That's terrible.... you deserve better.

In situations like that, I often feel like I don't know what to say (or I just freeze up), because I'm surprised and not expecting what happened. Do you think you might bring it up again, but knowing the therapist's likely response... maybe ask directly for some support or help understanding it?

I'd probably want to ask very direct questions to start the conversation. Like, "can you tell me what types of things you're sharing with this other person?" and "are there any safeguards in place for my privacy?". I'd also ask something like, "Realistically, how exactly am I supposed to be feel safe enough to open up to you, knowing that anything that I say may be passed on to others?"

Stuff like that?

Again, I'm sorry. I'd be freaked out too. The whole point of therapy is to be a private, safe space... a container of sorts. It would feel very very broken and pointless to me.

*hugs*

In addition to anger and resentment, I made it clear to the woman my fears triggered by this. I really feel vulnerable. I feel violated. I feel my 'story' is being scrutinised - again. I wonder if this is in an attempt to discredit me - again. I feel on the firing line - again. I feel that once again I am being judged and that I am being forced to justify diagnosis, the events that happened, and ultimately my entitlement to veterans' affairs (Canada) benefits.

My therapist barely validated these thoughts with not even an 'I understand.' Instead she focused in with how to deal with anger.

[maybeblue]

I have to say that in this kind of situation I would probably see the therapist as just part of the system. I guess I would go to her and share as much as I felt comfortable with and try to be cooperative so that I could get my benefits. But I don't think I would see her as a person there to help me. I would see her more as someone to help the government. That would make me share only as much as I had to. And I wouldn't see the therapist as being likely to help me with my real problems. Or likely to empathize with me, as much as that sucks.

If I really felt like I needed treatment I would find someone else to see for that, and that's where I'd talk about my anger and anxiety about this situation. The situation seems totally unfair, but it also seems like you might not have any other options if you want the benefits.

[guilloche]

Justafriend - I hate that they're putting you through this. I'm sorry, I just had to say it. I'm angry on your behalf....