Posted by Southerngirl12 on December 19, 2006, at 15:29:27
In reply to Re: Gift giving? » Dinah, posted by All Done on December 8, 2006, at 16:32:03
Had a horrible session with my therapist last night. Gave her a Christmas card with a gift certificate and she got all professional and said, "I cannot accept this. It's generous, we are not supposed to accept this. I will think about it and just set it right here." I explained that I didn't know the "rules" and then said, "You're welcome." The card just sat on a table and I had to stare at it the remainder of the hour. I was miserable. I wanted to say, "Look, it's Christmas and giving gifts is something I enjoy. My cleaning ladies get more than you so lighten up!" It completely hurt my feelings and I shut down and started talking about general issues...At the end of the session, she said, "Well, since you didn't know the rules, I will accept this this time." I didn't say much. I noticed when I said Happy Thanksgiving, there was no return of the same. Thought that was odd and she's always been extremely guarded. I only recently found out she had a son. Only because I am a school teacher and she asked me a question about a calendar issue.
I want to quit because I was so embarrassed. I felt as if I was a little kid in trouble...
We have had some excellent sessions and I don't want to start all over, but the response and the rudeness was something I was completely unprepared for. I was shocked and disappointed. She knows so much about me, and I felt should have handled me a little more gently. There are a thousand different ways to say what she said. It was not worth the tension in the room. She alluded to the fact I seemed agitated. Yeah, pissed is more like it.
poster:Southerngirl12
thread:709568
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20061210/msgs/715042.html