Mom needs a psychologist/ therapist?

Question

My mom needs a psychologist for her severe depression, and im pretty sure shes up for going to one, but there is a problem.

She works as a doctor, and she doesn't want to go because she says itll go on her record and she wont be able to find a job then....

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Theres such a thing as confidentiality , and your mom is aware of this.
If she has a trusted colleague,she should be able to go to her and ask for asisstance,with a
professional understanding.

Answer 2

My mom told me something similar. Doctors do have to keep things confidential, but just knowing that she has records at a psychologist's office may be a tell. Employers are not supposed to discriminate against this stuff, though, and really it is none of their business.

I have been going to psychologists for years and I have still been able to land jobs as a dorm RA, grad student researcher, and more. I KNOW I am much better suited for these jobs after going to a doctor who has helped me understand my emotions and how to deal with them. Deep down, I think your mother will understand that she will be better at her job if she gets help, too. The odds are her employer won't find out, but if they do hopefully they will have the common sense to realize that it can only make her a better person as well.

My mom had a particular concern that her employer would know she was going to counseling because she would be absent for part of the work day each week if she went. Your mom may be worried about this, too. See if you can find her a weekend clinic in your area. That way, she can go talk to someone on a Saturday or Sunday and she won't have to miss work or worry about people wondering why she is missing work.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Wait a second. Your mother IS a doctor and she is afraid that if she sees a therapist it will go on her record. Huh? Your mother sounds slightly naive if indeed she is indeed a doctor, because all she has to do is see a therapist not affiliated with the hospital out of which she works and one that is out of the general area if she is that worried about a breach in confidentiality. Really, if she sees a trusted colleague then there should be no problem. Is your mother working now as a doctor? Is she affiliated with a practice? As a doctor she must be aware that to allow her depression to go untreated would be totally foolish as it could incapacitate her to the point she cannot work anyway. And I suggest you let HER worry about this as really, it is ultimately her decision to seek help.

Answer 4

This is false. She may be telling you this because she doesn't actually want to go to a psychologist. Many doctors suffer from depression because of the career path they have chosen, and because of this, they go to psychologists for counseling. It will not affect her ability to find a job.

Answer 5

It is confidential information. But, if she is really fearful she could pay cash and not bill her insurance. I did that when I used to worry about things like that.

Answer 6

There are many online services now for
people in exactly your mother's situation.
Most list the counsellors and their credentials
so that those can be checked.

http://www.asktheinternettherapist.com/

http://www.counsellingonline.org.au/en/

http://www.makethechange.com.au/about/the_counsellor.jsp

http://www.relationshiphelponline.com.au/

http://www.confidant.com.au/

Answer 7

Just be positive...... It can't be your problem unless she threatens you. I know you are trying to be a loving child to your mother, but you just can't control these things. It's alot to put on a child's shoulders. All you can do to help is be positive, help around the house, and cause no extra stress.
Be Cool,

~ Smart Mandy