Is my psychologist unethical?

Question

He regularly cuts our sessions short by 5 or more minutes. He once asked me if I was going to tattle on him for drinking a glass of wine during our session. He many times has kept me waiting for 30+ minutes for a session because he forgot about me (he works alone). He answers his cell phone duing our sessions if it is someone important like a relative.

He has also seen me on a Sunday on an hour's notice because of an emergency, gives me a discount on his usual rate because I am currently out of work and I have been seeing him for a year and a half. He has helped me quite a bit. I just seem to consistenly be one of his less important clients. Should I try to pay more??

Answer 1

I don't know about unethical...unprofessional maybe. It is common practice that when you're counseling a client, there are to be no interruptions. You're there for his undivided attention, and interruptions cause a break in thought and communication. Commonly cutting your sessions short or making you wait long periods of time is also unprofessional and rude. That has obviously given you the impression that you are unimportant and your time is less valuable than others.

However, you stated that there are things about this counselor that value or are a benefit to you. So I would suggest having an open, honest discussion with him about the things that are bothering you about your sessions with him. If he's a good, ethical counselor that appreciates honest feedback he'll value your honesty and hopefully follow through with making appropriate changes. If not, I would definitely seek out another counselor.

Answer 2

There is NEVER an excuse for your therapist taking calls from other people during your session. Your session is YOUR TIME. It's not only rude, it's unprofessional and hurtful. Likewise with cutting your session times. Most any good psychologist will make time for you on off days and help you manage through a financial pinch - this person is not doing anyting heroic that you couldn't get from some one else. If there is one place you need to be HEARD and RESPECTED, it is when you go for counseling. My advice - move on. Believe me, there are plenty of great psychologists out there. Keep looking until you are satisfied. God Bless.

Answer 3

Hmmmm, well it is hard to answer without being in the situation. I would tell you to go with your gut, because generally our gut feelings are correct, BUT, what are you seeing him for? If you are working on issues such as overreacting or blaming others for your problems, or feeling unimportant, you may want to consider if it is you or him.

I could see all the items you mentioned as unethical, but I could also see them as indicitive of a relationship you have built with him. If you like him and find him helpful, don't worry about it...if he is helpful than there is no problem.

If you are unsure whether you like him, try to see someone else, and see if they will work better for you. I would imagine that the psychologist you are seeing is not money driven if he is offering you a reduced rate, so paying more probably wouldn't help. It is probably just who he is.

Answer 4

Personally, I believe that it is really bad that he misses your meetings sometimes, and how he cuts the meetings short sometimes. While I wont say that he hasnt helped you. I will say that the objective of a psychologist is to aid you in making yourself a better person. While he may give you a discount because you are out of work...he should be more responsable. Because of this, I dont think that you should pay him more. I also think that you might want to think about looking at other psychologists.

Answer 5

A therapist who drinks on the job during your session, talks on his cell phone during your session, and forgets about your appointments?
And you have to ask?
Dump him and find a real psychologist, you may find you are helped even more. BTW most psychologists will help patients in a crisis on the weekends, or have a colleage who takes emergencies when they are out of pocket, so that's no like he's doing somethng out of the ordinary for you.

Answer 6

Ask him not to answer his phone during sessions. Tell him it is insulting. Tell him to call them back. If he does not do it, have someone call you during and talk a few minutes and have them call you every 10 minutes. He will se what is wrong with it.

Also see this site which has the latest and newest info from top psychologists on being happy. If you get a discount and he cuts off last 5 minutes, that sounds fair.But answering phone while treating you is bad and detrimental to yuor mental health. It hurts your self-esteem. This site will help your self-esteem. I have more to tell you but I have to answer this phone call from a solciter. :-)

http://phifoundation.org/happiness.html

Answer 7

Don't pay more, sweetie. You are paying too much already if he is taking other calls. He does seem to have some good qualities, but do they really outshine the bad things?

I am happy that he has helped you, but I would check around for other therapists. Do they have any therapists in your area that work on a sliding scale? You may be able to get into one of these until you can get back to work.

Answer 8

Regardless of whether the therapist is unethical, you are uncomfortable. You should be very comfortable in a therapist/patient situation in order to gain the most out of the situation. Try another therapist. You do need their paid for undivided attention.

Answer 9

It's completely rude to act like this as a "listening person". But he is supposed to be a professional. You know that you wouldn't take this behavior from a friend, why take it from your psych? Doesn't matter if you get a discount, that shouldn't take away from your quality of service.

Answer 10

Psychologist or not, I wouldn't imagine drinking on the job is acceptable. Don't try paying more, and stop wasting your money. His job IS to help you, so don't feel obliged to leave any moment, you've paid him and don't owe him your loyalty.