Therapy and privacy issues

East17 · Oct 19, 2021 at 04:40 PM

Does anyone else have a problem with someone they live with not respecting their privacy during therapy time? As in interrupting, even though you've told them you're going to be on a call for about an hour.

I can only take calls in one room but the WiFi drops out occasionally, so in order to do a video call, I'll have to run an ethernet cable from the living room to the bedroom, which means I can't shut the door properly. This is partly why I'm not a big fan of online and prefer the telephone if f2f isn't an option. The stress of worrying whether I can be overheard just adds to the general stress of doing therapy anyway.

I've approached 3 T's and none of them are willing to work over the phone, they all insist on online. One of the reasons I'm in therapy is because of this person's behaviour and the effect it's having on my mental health. So needing to talk about the situation from home is really difficult to start with.

Waiting until f2f is possible again isn't an option, otherwise I'd wait, but I need support now.

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LonesomeTonight · Oct 19, 2021 at 06:02 PM

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. So something I do is put a running fan outside the door of where I'm sitting--it helps muffle the noise. Another option would be a sound machine with a regular sound like pouring rain or white noise. Or, assuming you're not using your phone to do the session, a white noise app on your phone (there are free ones). It's better to have the sound outside the door rather than inside, as it hides the sound better. But if you're concerned the other person would mess with it, could put it just inside the door. Another option is to use headphones--at least that way, the other person wouldn't hear what your T said.

Yet another option, if you have a car--is it possible to drive someplace with free Wifi and sit in your car in the parking lot for the session?

Also, have you told the potential T's about your privacy concerns? I'm wondering if, under the circumstances, they might be more open to using the phone? I assume you'd be using the phone outside of your residence.

ChickenNoodleSoup · Oct 22, 2021 at 05:45 PM

I'd always meet with my T outside when I was working, even though that was through phone. But would maybe something like facetime outside be an option?

Favorite Jeans · Oct 23, 2021 at 12:07 AM

Does the T understand the specific safety/privacy concern that you’re dealing with? If so I find it a bit shocking that they wouldn’t accommodate you.

As an aside, where I live it’s pretty easy and not too pricey to find a phone plan with oodles and oodles of data. Like 20-30 gigs a month. I had a recent online session using data and I was glad that this was possible. Maybe something you could look into as an interim solution?

AliceKate · Oct 30, 2021 at 03:32 AM

Can you buy the sort of lock that comes with a chain? That way your door could remain open a bit, but it wouldn't open fully.

East17 · Oct 30, 2021 at 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AliceKate

Can you buy the sort of lock that comes with a chain? That way your door could remain open a bit, but it wouldn't open fully.

Thank you for the suggestion, but doing something like that, would be like a red rag to a bull.

waterlogged · Oct 30, 2021 at 11:52 AM

They do make flat Ethernet cables which usually can slide under the door even if it’s closed.
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ChickenNoodleSoup Grand Poohbah Member Since Apr 2017 Location: In a land far far away Posts: 1,575 7 1,305 hugs given	Oct 22, 2021 at 05:45 PM #3 I'd always meet with my T outside when I was working, even though that was through phone. But would maybe something like facetime outside be an option?
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AliceKate Grand Member Member Since Jan 2021 Location: On a raindrop far, far away Posts: 871 3 2,208 hugs given	Oct 30, 2021 at 03:32 AM #5 Can you buy the sort of lock that comes with a chain? That way your door could remain open a bit, but it wouldn't open fully.
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waterlogged Member Member Since Nov 2015 Location: USA Posts: 153 8 10 hugs given	Oct 30, 2021 at 11:52 AM #7 They do make flat Ethernet cables which usually can slide under the door even if it’s closed. Amazon.com
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