Therapist is always late, would you say something?

[Anonymous]

Remember YOU are paying HIM. You have the power. Use your words. And if that doesn’t work, use your feet and leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Not being comfortable calling him out is probably one of the reasons OP is in therapy. Unfortunately there are bad therapists, OP. I know it’s hard to make a switch but I think this is not a good fit for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Not being comfortable calling him out is probably one of the reasons OP is in therapy. Unfortunately there are bad therapists, OP. I know it’s hard to make a switch but I think this is not a good fit for you.

Yes, exactly OP. The fact that a therapist wouldn’t understand that he’s putting you in an awkward position is a red flag. I would move on from him. Who cares if he’s a “nice guy” that’s not what you want in a therapist, you want someone will help you make progress. Sounds like he’s only helping you to repeat old learned behaviors.

[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.

Yes, definitely say something sooner than later. Honestly, I say something the first time. Even if it’s not You're Late. I may say something like - I have a meeting/ engagement that is impacted.
Practitioners aren’t the only ones on a schedule.

[Anonymous]

Major problem. I used to get frustrated that my old therapist regular started just 2-3 minutes late and ended on time. 20-30 minutes late, every time is not OK. It's disrespectful of your time and especially so if he laughs it off.

My new therapist is sometimes a few minutes late but she always asks if I have flexibility to go over to make up for the time. I appreciate that she asks me if I can go over; it demonstrates that she understands that I too have a busy schedule and might actually need to leave at the scheduled ending time. I am always able to take the time but I like that she asks.

[Anonymous]

I would move on. This is an abuse of your time and of the trust involved in a therapeutic relationship.

[Anonymous]

Why would you continue to see him?

[Anonymous]

I would fire him. At the least it’s unprofessional (and therapy is $$$$$).

[Anonymous]

As a therapist, this sounds full of red flags. The fact that it is a recurring pattern first off since the frame is what keeps therapy safe and the agreed upon time boundary is a huge part of that. How would you feel if he only sometimes kept your confidentiality? I also find it to be a red flag that you would be the one to bring it up and that he doesn’t initiate a process around his behavior and how it’s impacted you/the therapy.

[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.

This is incredibly unprofessional. He should charge a reduced rate if he’s not providing the full session. I would be very direct that I want a refund. If he refuses then I would terminate and file a complaint with the licensing board.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely speak up.

Your time has value too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This is incredibly unprofessional. He should charge a reduced rate if he’s not providing the full session. I would be very direct that I want a refund. If he refuses then I would terminate and file a complaint with the licensing board.

+1 if he does not extend sessions or give you a refund, I would let him know you will be reporting him to his licensing board as an ethics violation. And obviously terminate. This is egregious behavior for a therapist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a therapist, this sounds full of red flags. The fact that it is a recurring pattern first off since the frame is what keeps therapy safe and the agreed upon time boundary is a huge part of that. How would you feel if he only sometimes kept your confidentiality? I also find it to be a red flag that you would be the one to bring it up and that he doesn’t initiate a process around his behavior and how it’s impacted you/the therapy.

This. And I’m a therapist that struggles with time. I would find a new practitioner. Nice is not enough reason to remain in this dynamic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This is incredibly unprofessional. He should charge a reduced rate if he’s not providing the full session. I would be very direct that I want a refund. If he refuses then I would terminate and file a complaint with the licensing board.

A reduced rate would’ve been fine for the first time. That it’s been a consistent pattern is troubling.

[Anonymous]

A therapist working with my kid was chronically late and then would end on time, giving my kid less than the full session. When I addressed this with her, her response was terrible, so I fired her.