Can my therapist make me do telehealth because I keep getting sick?

I have GI issues I'm trying to work out with a couple of my doctors. Part of my GI issues are that I vomit very suddenly. It has happened twice in therapy. The first time was a couple months ago. Then today I really threw up a ton in her garbage can.

She doesn't make a big deal out it. And she says its not a big deal. But I'm just worried shes going to switch me to telehealth permenantly.

I do not go into sessions feeling this way. It just happens. When I've gotten sick already that day then I email her and I switch to telehealth

Could she do this?

I'm so sorry that happens to you. I'm not sure what your psychotherapist is able to do as to face-to-face versus telehealth visits. Sorry I cannot be helpful to you.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I think all you can do is ask her, really.


I feel like because it's a health condition you have, rather than a contagious illness, she could potentially be OK with it. But I really think it may depend on the therapist what the policy would be.

If this was my therapist the answer is yes.

Since covid hit the world times have changed. Most therapist have to abide by state and federal health department standards around bodily fluids including throw up. Regardless of reason. In health care settings throw up is considered a toxic bodily fluid requiring special handling and disposal. You know those red labeled containers, bags and so forth that you see in hospitals doctors offices and so on.

Maybe you can contact your primary physician for a doctor's statement and carry your own toxic bodily fluids containers so that only you have to handle the throw up bags and containers, take them home with you and disposal. That way the smell and possible contamination by you throwing up in her trash can won't happen.

Why aren't you opting to do virtual if your risk of vomiting in her office is notable? I can't imagine choosing to expose someone to my vomit in this way.

I do virtual if I've already been sick that day. If I'm feeling good then I go in person. And twice I've just gotten sick without warning.

But Iike this morning I woke up sick and I knew I couldn't make it in person so we switched.

I have a GI appointment tommorow. Hopefully we figure something out. I got lab work done for another doctor too.

I hope your GI doctor can figure something out so you can feel better.

This is a question to ask your therapist. No one here can answer for her.

She can't "make'' you do anything but it is her prerogative to make decisions according to her personal boundaries regarding her health and/or physical integrity - as well as that of her *other* clients who share the same physical space.

Typically, clients would be mindful of not wanting to expose their therapist to whatever they may have. Continually throwing up in the therapist's office and still wanting come in person is not considerate of her, nor of those other people who come in person and breathe the same air.

Sorry you are going through this. You can’t help it and are being considerate by switching when needed. I imagine it would feel very isolating and rejecting to think you’d have to switch permanently over something you can’t control and already manage as best as you can so I totally understand why you are worried.
The only other thing you could do is bring your own bags etc just incase it happens. That is all you can do.