if you phone to speak with your therapist?

Question

what does it tell you, when they don't call you back?

Answer 1

I've never met a therapist who did phone sessions.
Although to be honest, they may not even be getting your messages from their receptionist.

I've had that happen a few times. However, if he or she doesn't call back within a week, I would find a new therapist.

Mental health is too fragile to be put on the back burner.
Also, if the therapist is overloaded with patients, you may want to find a new one. The last one I had was so overloaded that my sessions were less than 15 minutes per month!

Answer 2

If, on your therapist's answering machine, he/she does not state that he/she is "Unavailable for X # of days, or out of town" , then I would wait no longer than 24 hours for a return call. It's possible that the therapist has a policy (which should have been told to you in your first session), in which they don't talk on the phone unless a fee is involved. If no phone call is ever returned, in my opinion, that would raise a 'trust issue' and effect future sessions if not addressed.

Answer 3

My one therapist told me that it is "standard" that a therapist should get back to a client within 2 days. But if the client is in immediate need, they should get back ASAP.

I would want to know why the therapist doesn't get back to me and discuss it. Then I would tell the therapist that I want her to call me within X amount of time (give a reasonable amount of time). If she doesn't I would get rid of her.

Answer 4

They are busy with other clients and will get back to you at an appropriate time for your discussion.

Answer 5

I usually feel horrible and would think that s/he doesn't care about me and I'm just another client. But I feel silly about my thoughts afterwards.