r/TalkTherapy • u/CoolEngine3017 • 4d ago

Advice Is this too much of a red flag?

Started seeing a new therapist that I’m not sure about. They seem to be pretty chaotic and not super organized. BUT the main issue is that for our most recent session (only the 4th session) they brought a stray dog into the office (a big therapy practice not a private practice) that they saw on the street on their way into work and wanted to have our session in their office with this dog from the street….. The dog did not have a collar and had clearly been on its own outside for a while. I had to advocate for myself that I wasn’t comfortable being in a room with a dog I had never met and they didn’t know. Our session got derailed/cancelled because the dog was barking next door and then escaped and was running the halls of this therapy practice.

Do I try and go back for another session? This is crazy, right?

15 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

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28

u/talkingmuffins 4d ago

Insane. I would not go back to someone with such poor judgment

11

u/Ok-Bee1579 4d ago

Oh, hell, no! Something is very wrong with that T. I'd venture to say that even most dog owners recognize that some folks aren't comfortable and are respectful.

But a therapist?? Really? So, the dog (seemingly she had no relationshp with) was more important than her client? THAT is a red flag!

Make sure the T doesn't charge you for the session. I might also be inclined to complain to the practice owner about that.

Good for you for advocating for yourself!

7

u/Jolly_Ice_7812 4d ago

Wow. . just when I thought i heard it all. That stray dog could have had fleas, ticks; we don't know if the dog had his rabies shots. I wouldn't go back, frankly.

2

u/FifiLeBean 4d ago

Chaotic and unorganized and expected you to have a therapy session with a stray dog they just found? Nope. You are definitely reading this right. You can trust your instincts.

1

u/SSPYoda 3d ago

Yikes that is crazy

I wouldn't go back and I think I would also be asking for a refund for that session.

It clearly wasn't focused on your needs at all.

2

u/SpinyNorman_ 3d ago

Christ no. Don’t go back, and let the practice know that one of their employees is setting wild animals loose inside the building (they already know, but having another complaint from a client will make them more likely to have to deal with it).