“Sorry, I can’t be your therapist. Here’s a referral to another colleague I trust…”
Some people may take for granted that therapists can pick and choose who they see and under what conditions. Not all therapists will see every patient that walks through their office door. There are a variety of reasons a therapist won’t see you, and most of them have to do with professional ethics.
For instance, most therapists seek to avoid “dual relationships” with you or their other patients. A “dual relationship” is one where the therapist isn’t just your therapist, but may also be a friend, lover, business associate, or some other role in your life. Therapists seek to avoid dual relationships, so if they are already your friend, business associate, or whatnot, they will refuse to become your therapist as well (this also works in reverse — your therapist should never offer to become your friend, lover, business associate, etc).
Although this may feel like rejection, you shouldn’t take it personally. Therapists will often avoid seeing certain people for these reasons to ensure the patient is treated with proper respect and dignity. Here are five reasons why your therapist won’t see you now…