How would you feel if your counselor sent personal mail to your home, or called you at home just to be friendly? The mail didn't discuss details about your sessions, and there was no revealing information left on an answering machine. The counselor was just writing or calling to say hello on a personal basis.
How would you feel if the counselor did the above after you asked that he or she not contact you by either method, and reserved communication for office visits or private emails?
2006-08-15 12:36:10 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
This would refer to a social worker, psychologist, or any type of talk therapy professional.
2006-08-15 12:44:07 · update #1
If you have requested them not to call or write you, then that's stepping over the line.I would write a note and mail certified to make sure the received it. Then take further steps if necessary. Switch counselors. They may be trying to just be friendly or show you they care. They still need to respect your privacy
2006-08-21 19:17:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he or she is a psychologist or a psychiatrist, then this would be unethical and would breach the APA Ethical Standards for Psychologists. If you have asked him or her not to do so, then this is also an unethical maneuver. Personal contact not related to therapy constitutes a "Multiple Relationship" and the therapist would be playing a "Dual Role." As such, if this has occured, the therapist should be informed that this is unacceptable, a switch of therapists may be in order, and a possible report to the APA or ApA would be warranted.
2006-08-15 13:34:40 · answer #2 · answered by Police 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it would bother me. That is very unprofessional behavior. I stopped going to a counselor once because he was overly friendly during the sessions. If he had ever contacted me outside the office, I would have been a little nervous.
2006-08-15 13:00:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anne Teak 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes this is unethical unless yopu are haviong a lot of problems and agree to a home phone calls It could be illegal are they pressuring you to h jionma program or group? Often 12 step consleores do this as a way to get new mmebrs into 12 step grouips it is very unproffssional call your state licenscing regulatory agency about this .They can help
I woild suggest you seek ut a new conselor ASAP anmd interview themvrember they work for you if youaare not comfortable on yourfrist visit there isagood reasn your instics are usually right .
2006-08-15 12:46:02 · answer #4 · answered by crps_1964 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What kind of counselor are you talking about? Are you talking about a psychologist or a psychiatrist? If so, your "counselor" may have stepped over the line when you made it clear that you didn't want him or her to contact you outside of the office visits.
2006-08-15 12:42:49 · answer #5 · answered by Lindsey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your counselor needs therapy of his or her own. This person is using "friendly contact" to show you who is boss. This means they lack respect for you so they can not will not respect your boundaries. Dump this person and move on to a healthy counselor. If you decide to confront them and they respond with friendly apologies, don't fall for it. The person is covering their butt to avoid being reproted for ethics violation. Remember counselors work for you. If you told your mechanic not to use a certain oil or cleaner in your car, and they kept doing it, would you keep going to them? Dont let this person continue messing with your head. Move on quickly.
2006-08-21 02:32:32 · answer #6 · answered by JustMaybe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally it would make me feel like they cared more about me. Every therapist/psyche doctor I have ever seen as a patient has made me feel that receiving my money was more important than helping me through my mental problems. Judging by my experiences, this is why therapy gets people mostly nowhere other than further in dept, more depressed, and likely to finally give up, which in most respects I have.
2006-08-23 04:56:42 · answer #7 · answered by Robster01 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For many counsellors this is there job to check on you. Visits are part of the profession. If you are feeling the visits are of an unprofessional manner, you can write a letter of complaint to the senior management of that particular department.
2006-08-22 09:23:34 · answer #8 · answered by lonely as a cloud 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After my mother passed away I got a call from my counselor that I had stopped seeing years ago. He offered his condolences and encouraged me to see him if I needed to talk. I think he was sincere and not just trying to drum up business....I know he is always busy and doesn't need to see me. I guess its OK
If they persist then I would get another councilor or possibly a lawyer.
2006-08-15 12:45:16 · answer #9 · answered by toetagproductions 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if they were asked not to and continued to do so and it is not a tx plan issue I would feel a little weirded out......stalked even.
If you are the recipient then do not let this continue and get ot of hand...report to someone please!
If you are the stalker you should back off and check your ethical responsibilities.....get some help yourself!
2006-08-23 03:02:14 · answer #10 · answered by debra_har 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋