A
female
age
,
anonymous
writes:I have a dilemna: Three months ago I began seeing a psychiatrist due to depression behind a breakup...My pschiatrist is a well-known in the state with which I reside...In addition to being a Psychiatrist, she's an adjunct professor for an ivy league medical school, a well-known author and a boar member on a professional exam committee.The problem: With our last 6 sessions, she's increased them to 2.0 hours versus 45 miniutes...she's commenced restricting our sessions to sharing very private details of her life with me...she constantly touches me when she speaks to me...for the past week she's been telephoning me throughout the morning, night and day...and tonight she called and left me a voicemail asking me if I would like to take a drive with her next Saturday to take her daughter back to Harvard where she's a freshman.I'm bothered. I question if I gave her the impression of interest when I know in my mind I didn't?She is beyond reasonable doubt a 5-star woman... doubt...but...I've never shared this with her, as that's not the reason I pursued her professional direction.I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. Any advice?
View related questions:
a break Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, largentsgirl89 +, writes (26 November 2010):
 With a woman who is a mental health professional, an adjunct professor for an ivy league medical school, a well-known author and a boar member on a professional exam committee are you sure you aren't misunderstanding her intentions?
I agree with YouWish on needing some more details.
Is she the lesbian or are you? Has she implicated that she would like something more than just a professional career?
Some people, especially mental health professionals use touch to further connect with their clients (good touch, not lawsuit) touch and let them know that they are listening.
Has she possibly prolonged your sessions because she felt that you need more treatment in your difficult time?
I agree that her asking you to take a drive was somewhat inappropriate, but that could just because she feels that you two are becoming friends.
She sounds like a very successful and professional woman and without some more details I'm confused as to why she would engage in obvious unethical behavior.
You don't have to answer the questions if you don't want to as that is your person life and no one else's business, but I would like to understand the situation better.
A
female
reader, YouWish +, writes (26 November 2010):
 Actually, I think I need to know more about this, as something is missing here. Your psychiatrist certainly sounds like she's got experience, longevity (she's an author) and you even say that she's a 5-star woman.
So I have some questions for you. You do not have to answer, but there's so much missing from this, that I'm hoping you can fill in some blanks so I can better help you with this.
1. Are you feeling a possible romantic componant to her attentions toward you? That's the biggest thing I don't know about. Is she or you a lesbian? You mentioned a breakup, but you failed to mention the gender of the person you broke up with.
2. Have you made any comments about "oh yeah, we should (fill in the social function) sometime"? Have you two shared common interests?
3. Have you touched her while sharing with her in any way? Some people are touchy-feely by nature, while others are not.
I can't advise on just cutting her off without knowing more. This could be resolved just by having a conversation with her, but I don't know more of the backstory on this one to advise that. And she doesn't seem the type that would just become unprofessional on a whim based on the info about her you gave me.
Bottom line though regardless, you are the client, and she is the psychiatrist. You have the right to leave those boundaries up.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (26 November 2010): I've known several psychiatrists (both as patient and as friends) and they all have strict policies about personal limits between the patient and the doctor. Personal calls are NOT okay at all. Most would refuse to give you access to their telephone number.
There have been many cases of doctors dating their patients, with varied results, but still, it is unethical by most standards.
You're probably very lucky to have attracted such a successful woman, but since you're not interested, let her know. You could start by innocently asking about why she extended your sessions and what the personal contact has to do with the treatment. Be subtle and she'll be smart enough to catch on.
...............................
|
