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Original poster

Email from doctor - does this sound a bit creepy or am I reading too much into it?

129 replies

HoneymoonGirl · 24/08/2025 11:38

He’s a psychiatrist working entirely in private practice. He says:

‘Dear HMG,

‘I hope you are having a good summer. I have been thinking about you and wondering how you are? Shall we get your next appointment booked in?

’Best wishes,

<First Name>’

He’s been thinking about me? Really?!

OP posts:
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JMSA · 24/08/2025 16:50

I’m guessing English isn’t his mother tongue. Thinking ‘of’ you would have sounded better.

theDudesmummy · 24/08/2025 16:49

Personally I think it's just another example (of a great many) of how AI can get things just a bit "off".

theDudesmummy · 24/08/2025 16:47

@Alwayssnacking Believe me, he didn't write it. Either his secretary did and didn't think too hard about it, just wanting to just be conventionally/conversationally polite, not being a mental health professional. Or it's Chat GPT, in response to something like "please create a polite invitation for a patient to make an appointment after a hiatus in treatment".

Alwayssnacking · 24/08/2025 16:15

I think it's creepy. He can send an email asking to book in her neft appointment without saying he has been thinking about her.

Glitchymn1 · 24/08/2025 15:20

Fatsnowflake · 24/08/2025 11:41

It’s just a normal polite message.

This

NeverDropYourMooncup · 24/08/2025 15:19

Happyher · 24/08/2025 14:21

Yes but you’d think a psychiatrist would be educated enough to draft a letter that couldn’t be misinterpreted

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Probably got somebody else to do it, rather than doing a mail merge from the patient database themselves. 'Send all the patients who haven't booked in the last month an email to get them back in. Try and make it sound friendly, I don't want them complaining that I'm just after their money'.

Zippidydoodah · 24/08/2025 15:14

You are all reading too much into this (people who think it’s inappropriate).

Netcurtainnelly · 24/08/2025 15:14

He's after your money not your body.

It will be a standard email he sends out.

MsFelicityLemon · 24/08/2025 15:11

Are you seeing a psychiatrist for chronic overthinking or paranoia?

Your psychiatrist has reviewed his patients" files (possibly a private practice strategy). In your case he feels the time past means you might benefit for an appointment, and you think it's because he fancies you?

Yes, you might need another appointment.

theDudesmummy · 24/08/2025 15:10

She didn't say anywhere that he was a therapist or that she was in therapy, and this email would have nothing to do with that anyway. It's a generic business email sent to everyone who hasn't yet booked their next appointment by the secretary or business manager, that's all. Probably written by Chat GPT.

Alltheyellowbirds · 24/08/2025 15:04

Happyher · 24/08/2025 14:21

Yes but you’d think a psychiatrist would be educated enough to draft a letter that couldn’t be misinterpreted

Show quote history

It’s not a letter though is it, it’s a brief email to schedule a repeat appointment that was probably sent by his secretary. I doubt hours were put into analysing every word.

neilyoungismyhero · 24/08/2025 14:36

My nhs consultant starts his correspondence to me with 'what a pleasure it was seeing you last week'. My husband's guy says the same thing.

Zov · 24/08/2025 14:28

It sounds a little over familiar, but maybe that's his style?

I wouldn't read to much into it, but if it's given you the 'ick' then find another psychiatrist.

LytesCarey · 24/08/2025 14:26

arcticpandas · 24/08/2025 11:43

I've been thinking about you does sound creepy. I would change GP.

Maybe read the post.

Changeintheweathet · 24/08/2025 14:25

Impossible to know. He could be thinking of the medications he discussed you starting or the tests he needs to ensure you get from your own GP, or how you're coping with a dose of something he has perhaps planned to augment with something else. Or maybe you said something last time that requires follow up. He can't just write prescriptions and not check in with you. He will need a robust, up to date file. Private psychiatrists do need to think about their patients because they're often not connected to the community support that a patient would have in a psychiatric setting within the NHS. Or it could be just him drumming up business in a rather creepy way.

lifeonmars100 · 24/08/2025 14:24

It is a business, I very much doubt that this message is personal to you, it will have been sent to multiple clients/patients and not idividually typed for you.

Happyher · 24/08/2025 14:21

NeverDropYourMooncup · 24/08/2025 13:35

A psychiatrist will also know that other people will interpret 'It has been 4 weeks since your last appointment. Please book your next via this link' as too impersonal and their doctor is distancing themselves due to only being interested in the money.

Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

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Yes but you’d think a psychiatrist would be educated enough to draft a letter that couldn’t be misinterpreted

Squishymallows · 24/08/2025 14:17

You’re being mega weird op

HerLivingontheHill · 24/08/2025 14:11

Ablondiebutagoody · 24/08/2025 13:43

The psychiatrist and me both

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He is a medical professional
You aren't I assume.
He's simply giving her a reminder she may want to book an appt.

rainingsnoring · 24/08/2025 14:09

HoneymoonGirl · 24/08/2025 12:16

I am married and he knows this.

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So you think he fancies you and this is his way of chatting you up?
He wants to earn a living. That is all.

Amby99 · 24/08/2025 14:09

HoneymoonGirl · 24/08/2025 11:38

He’s a psychiatrist working entirely in private practice. He says:

‘Dear HMG,

‘I hope you are having a good summer. I have been thinking about you and wondering how you are? Shall we get your next appointment booked in?

’Best wishes,

<First Name>’

He’s been thinking about me? Really?!

I don’t think the email is weird. I paused my therapist at the beginning of summer due to holidays etc so he probably just wants to know how you’ve been and if you want more sessions. And maybe trying to be more personal by saying ‘he’s been thinking of you’ but I don’t think that’s in a weird way, unless he’s being displaying weirdness in your sessions but definitely not just from that email

oviraptor21 · 24/08/2025 14:07

“I hope you are well, I would be grateful if you could arrange an appointment to discuss your progress”.

Absolutely fine message. No 'I've been thinking about you' needed.
In OP's situation:

I hope you have had a good summer and have been keeping well.
If you would like to continue with counselling/whatever it is, please call my secretary to make an appointment.

diddl · 24/08/2025 14:03

Zippidydoodah · 24/08/2025 14:01

He’s sent that message to everyone in his books to try and get some more business.

And perhaps it isn't suitable for everyone?

rwalker · 24/08/2025 14:03

Basic marketing drumming up business

but you’ve only engaged with the comments agreeing with you so doubt anyone with persuade you different

diddl · 24/08/2025 14:02

I would have thought the email would be fine/better without that in.

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