Therapist is always late, would you say something?

[Anonymous]

People with ADHD and time blindness often think others won't notice it if they are late. He may be thinking he can get away with it if you don't call to his attention that it's bothering you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My therapist is a very nice man but he is late every single week. Anywhere from 10-20 minutes.

Sometimes he will keep me the equivalent time but mostly not.

He has never been on time once.

You absolutely should because he is cheating you! His 45 minute hour has been reduced to 30 minutes and you should also ask for a refund.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is he seeing other patients and tunning late? Or showing up at the office? Or is this telemedicine?

I'm the first patient of the day. I could understand it a bit more if my appointment was later.

I do see him in person so I think he's just late getting in but it feels a little frustrating.

In that case I would say something. At the very least, I can't imagine it's helpful for your treatment for your shrink to be chronically late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is habitually late and is not making up the time then he is very unprofessional, and this is unacceptable behavior. Have you addressed this with him?

I have but he just jokes it off. It's starting to get frustrating.

It's not a joke. It's disrespectful to think your time is more important than someone else's and to be late while they're waiting. It's also not cool because this time costs money. He's literally not leaving his house early enough. I'd look for someone else and when you find them tell him you're quitting because he's always late and it's unprofessional and disrespectful.

[Anonymous]

I would be pretty upset if he were consistently late and I was paying for that time. Further, it is a complete disrespect to patients to waltz in late with no awareness or care for their time.

Doctors get away with this BS all the time. As an attorney, I know clients will walk if I am not prompt and timely.

Find another therapist, and let him know why you are leaving.

[Anonymous]

I would absolutely say something and would definitely not pay for the full time.

If he has a problem arriving by 9am then tell him to schedule apts to start at 9:30.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“We need to talk about your tardiness. Today you were 15 minutes late. This is the fourth time. Either we need to adjust the start time for the full 50 minutes or I need a reduced rate for the reduced time. (Or whatever would work for you.)

Once is fine. But repeatedly? Hell no.

This

[Anonymous]

Since you are missing out on valuable speaking time w/them I would definitely talk to him about this issue stat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is habitually late and is not making up the time then he is very unprofessional, and this is unacceptable behavior. Have you addressed this with him?

I have but he just jokes it off. It's starting to get frustrating.

Refusing to discuss reflects very badly on his competence, not to mention his ethics. I'd be looking for a new therapist.

[Anonymous]

Why can’t you talk about it?

This is a theurpeutic question upon itself

Do you let others take advantage of you?

Boundaries?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is habitually late and is not making up the time then he is very unprofessional, and this is unacceptable behavior. Have you addressed this with him?

I have but he just jokes it off. It's starting to get frustrating.

I wouldn’t pay him for the time missing. When he complains, I’d ask him whether he wants me to joke it off, or whether he’d like to show up on time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People with ADHD and time blindness often think others won't notice it if they are late. He may be thinking he can get away with it if you don't call to his attention that it's bothering you.

If this is the case, the therapist needs to quit his job and focus on getting his ADHD under control. OP should seek a new therapist.

[Anonymous]

I’m a therapist and this is completely unethical. If I was ever 10-20 minutes late to a session (which I don’t believe I have been), I would either extend the time so the client gets the full session or give them a free session. If you are being charged for a 45-50 minute session and you are only getting 25-35 minutes that is completely unacceptable and it’s on the therapist to correct that. The fact that it happens continuously makes my jaw drop. Please try to find a new therapist.

[Anonymous]

Find a new therapist. If he’s joking it off, then he’s already given his response to your complaint. Not worth your time, money, or mental health.

[Anonymous]

You’re starting to resent him. He’s making you feel annoyed and for some reason you’re not comfortable calling him out. You made an excuse that “he’s a nice man”. This is not a healthy patient/therapist relationship in which he can truly help you.