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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:
DancingNotDrowning · 24/08/2025 11:57

IME is very standard language for a therapeutic relationship.

however if you’re uncomfortable you must either raise it with him and he can help you explore why your default is “creepy weirdo” rather than “therapist engaging” or you should find someone else.

Ladamesansmerci · 24/08/2025 11:57

GreyAreas · 24/08/2025 11:52

Holding someone in mind is part of a therapeutic relationship in psychotherapy and this wording on its own doesn't seem a concern. Worth feeding back or taking time to examine your feelings about it though. What do you want to do about sessions?

This. You are overthinking it. Bring it up when you see him and have a chat about it.

I'm a mental health nurse, and will often say to patients things like 'I've been thinking about what you said between sessions' or etc. It's not meant to be creepy.

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 24/08/2025 11:56

Dear Rudolph,

Thank you for checking up on me. I've been not/doing well and will arrange an appointment for x-date.

Hope you've had a good summer too.

Best wishes,

HMG.

Original poster
HoneymoonGirl · 24/08/2025 11:55

GreyAreas · 24/08/2025 11:52

Holding someone in mind is part of a therapeutic relationship in psychotherapy and this wording on its own doesn't seem a concern. Worth feeding back or taking time to examine your feelings about it though. What do you want to do about sessions?

I was planning to see him again. Just got back from holiday though and hadn’t got around to booking yet.

OP posts:
pizzaHeart · 24/08/2025 11:54

my dental practice and opticians usually send me something like: Dear Mrs PizzaHeart just a reminder that your next check up/ eye test is due.
It can’t be put like this in your case, they need to go in a bit of a round about way which does sounds weird but in a nutshell just a reminder to book an appointment if you want to.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 24/08/2025 11:54

HoneymoonGirl · 24/08/2025 11:52

This is my thinking too. He is male and significantly older than me.

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So? What has his age got to do with it?

SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 24/08/2025 11:53

This is really context dependent...on what you were seeing them for, whether you were struggling, if you've had a break and he wants to see how you're now getting on...what the professional relationship is like...I think it's for you to think about because it's too vague for other people to know

FanofLeaves · 24/08/2025 11:53

HoneymoonGirl · 24/08/2025 11:52

This is my thinking too. He is male and significantly older than me.

Show quote history

So, therefore you think he fancies you?

Original poster
HoneymoonGirl · 24/08/2025 11:52

RandomUsernameHere · 24/08/2025 11:48

Also on the fence. I think it shows poor judgement to word the email in that way, given the context.

This is my thinking too. He is male and significantly older than me.

OP posts:
GreyAreas · 24/08/2025 11:52

Holding someone in mind is part of a therapeutic relationship in psychotherapy and this wording on its own doesn't seem a concern. Worth feeding back or taking time to examine your feelings about it though. What do you want to do about sessions?

Sarover · 24/08/2025 11:49

arcticpandas · 24/08/2025 11:43

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

GP?

RandomUsernameHere · 24/08/2025 11:48

Also on the fence. I think it shows poor judgement to word the email in that way, given the context.

Julen7 · 24/08/2025 11:48

Yep needing to replenish the coffers after summer

Octavia64 · 24/08/2025 11:48

Not creepy this is the sort of thing I might send if someone had missed a few sessions.

Minnie798 · 24/08/2025 11:48

It's private practice. The same email more than likely went to all the clients who he is trying to get more business from.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 24/08/2025 11:48

It’s weird phrasing, but the intention is that you believe you matter to them so you’ll give them more $$$

If they’re good for you I wouldn’t dump for that.

Spidey66 · 24/08/2025 11:47

You’re overthinking it.

im a mental health nurse. I often think about patients I’m caring for or have cared for in the past.

TequilaNights · 24/08/2025 11:46

Its impossible to know the context of this as you have professional conversations with him, whilst the wording is not the best, it seems like he is checking in and seeing if you need to book another appointment.

Gettingbysomehow · 24/08/2025 11:46

You are overthinking this.

Hoppinggreen · 24/08/2025 11:46

arcticpandas · 24/08/2025 11:43

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

This Doctor is a Private Psych not a GP
OP, he wants £ thats all

OVienna · 24/08/2025 11:46

I'm on the fence about this one. But if they think you'd benefit from more sessions from a clinical perspective, they should be direct and you should know why and have discussed it before now.

TooManyNiblings · 24/08/2025 11:45

DH's psychologist often starts messages like that, we take as he is doing case work and has got to DH in the alphabet!!

arcticpandas · 24/08/2025 11:43

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

RoseAlone · 24/08/2025 11:42

I think this is a you problem, not problematic in the slightest

Fatsnowflake · 24/08/2025 11:41

It’s just a normal polite message.