How much should I put up with before switching psychiatrists?

[taterthomas_1990]

So here's the deal: I may essentially be a charity case from the community college but I don't think that gives my doctor the right to be damn near negligent. A lot has to be done over the phone since the school will only pay for so many visits to her office. Because of this, I get pushed off. I've only been seeing this doctor for a few months, but if this is the way it's going to be i'm not sure I want to continue treatment with her. How can I trust her if I'm basically something she takes care of when she has time? Even if I have a time scheduled with her, if something else pops up, i'll get a call two hours later (by which time I've decided not to sit around and wait and instead go about my business) explaining why I didn't get a chance to talk to her during my time. Is it wrong to be pissed off that other clients apparently take priority over me even when it's supposed to be my time? I grateful that she has this deal with the school and that i'm able to see a doctor at all but a) i'm sure the school pays her just as much when i am in her office as someone who was seeing her privately would and b) if she doesn't have time to this she should just say so and not waste mine. It's stupid to treat a client like that; after all she should know how hard it is for some people to seek the help they need in the first place. I was really glad when i heard from the school councilor that I had this option because I really needed it but couldn't afford it. It's not my fault I don't have money or rich parents. I hate to sound selfish, pushy, or unforgiving but it's really been upsetting me to be perfectly honest and I don't really know how to tell her that without coming off as such. What should I do?

[worthless x]

Hello :)

So your in America yes? Is there no free places with a psychiatrist, therapist, Councillor or psychologist that will see you for free?

Do you feel like a "number"? Some people in that line of work - are cold. They just see you, talk **** and treat you like a number, not a person. I've seen someone like that before, and I just left :) I asked her to refer me to someone else and now I see a therapist and I even told her that my last one treated me like a number and she was shocked at that! If you feel like you go in there for an hour of whatever a week, and feel like she cant be bothered with you, or doesn't have the time or treats you like a number instead of a person, then leave! Ask her, or your school/college so doctor/GP to refer you on to someone else :)

That's a little bit shocking that she waits so long to cancel on you. Of course you aren't wrong to be pissed at that, so would I be!!! Honestly honey, you need to ask to see someone else! Even people do online-therapy :)

Tell her or your school that you feel like she doesn't have time for you. Just to make sure you are both on the right page. My therapist is lovely and we have this really cool thing where I can tell her exactly how I feel all the time - I've never had that with someone else. She always thanks me to telling her how I feel and she likes it when I do so, so that we can be on the same page. :)

Yeah, I mean well done for asking for help. A lot of people are too scared to too shy to ask. You are extremely brave for asking for help, and she should recognize that!

Of course its not your fault. I have about £7000 in my bank account, in USD thats 11,370 U.S. dollars or in CAD its 11,173 Canadian dollars. But I would NEVER pay to go to talk to someone. Its not because I don't have the money obviously. I just don't see why anyone should have to pay to talk :| and especially if you cant tell them how you really feel etc.

My therapist is employed by the UK's NHS system, so she gets paid but I don't pay her :) and I've also seen someone who has that "8 weeks" system thing, but they got paid too and I still didn't have to pay them.

You do NOT sound selfish, pushy, or unforgiving!!!!!!!!!

Well done for being so honest on this post, but why don't you try and be honest with your therapist! She's supposed to be the one person int he world who you can talk to that wont judge you!

I've already basically said what I think you should do:
Tell her how you feel. Just say you feel like she's letting you down slightly or that your not sure what you can say to her.
Tell your school/college that she's very cold and treats you like a number.
Ask her or your school/college to refer you to someone else who you don't have to pay.

Hope this helps a little. WELL DONE for seeking help and posting on here! I am so proud of you :)!

Take care x

[Sigma]

Who arranged this from your school? Could you tell them the situation - if they're paying for it then they need to know you're being treated like this - and they would be better referring to another psych if she behaves like this.