I was talking to my therapist

[Beringia]

and not thinking about how I worded myself, I said, "and you work for me". She then corrected me and said "I work with you". No big deal, and I didn't mean to offend her. But then I thought well actually doctors do work for patients and therapists do work for patients, so I think I am correct. It seems doctors and therapists like to feel that position of superiority.

[Pope George Ringo II]

1. Probably not helpful to make too big a deal out of it

But I doubt she'd feel the same if your response to her bill was that she doesn't work for you and should therefore bill whoever she does work for, and you'd appreciate it if she'd see about getting her co-workers paid as well since you work with her.

Yeah, might not be the best approach, but it's tempting, isn't it?

[Beringia]

2. Ya I don't want to make a big deal out of it

It really is nothing. I think some doctors and therapists have a power thing going that I don't like.

Thanks for your response.

[Pope George Ringo II]

3. Some of my best friends are therapists.

They're a good bunch.

[Beringia]

4. I have never worked around therapists

or been friends with one (although my mother was a counselor and I feel sorry for anyone treated by her), but I have worked around doctors and boy you get in trouble fast if you try to assert yourself. I have known some good doctors too that I worked for.

[Pope George Ringo II]

5. I've worked with therapists, roomed with a couple too. Got a doctor in the family, nice guy.

It's not a field you get into because you have sadistic tendencies. I still make a point of having dinner with one of the therapists about once a week, catch a movie with him occasionally too. All joking aside, they're good people, and the with/for thing is actually kind of necessary to maintain enough authority for their suggestions to be taken with the weight they deserve.

[Duppers]

10. 👍👍

[Beringia]

12. Not to get too personal

But I notice you don't mention actually being a patient. I think being a patient may give you a different insight into this question than coming at it from the outside such as having a friend or relative that is a therapist.

Also I don't see a therapist as being an authority, I see them as helping you by being supportive and helping you gain insights. I think we should look to ourselves for authority.

[Karadeniz]

6. They may be nice as all getout; they work for you. If you feel one is unhelpful, you can

decide to drop him and move on, your decision, no equal partner negotiations.

[Beringia]

8. She has been helpful. Thanks.

[Lint Head]

7. It's your health. You did hire them for their expertise.

It's your body and mind and if they screw up you can fire them or sue them. I think some MD''s have a god complex.

[Beringia]

9. Thanks.

[Beringia]

11. I found an article that mentioned this very thing

Your therapist works for you. Most likely, either you or your insurance company (or both) are paying this therapist, not the other way around.


https://the-orbit.net/brutereason/2015/06/15/setting-boundaries-with-your-therapist