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Original poster

I'm a counsellor-if you were my client, how bad would this be?

117 replies

Counseller · 16/10/2023 19:11

I was talking to a client, video call, from my sitting room. I have an office but often work from the sitting room if I am doing online sessions. I live alone so it isn't a problem

My dog walker brought my dog back early. I didn't expect this, my client wouldn't have even known about it if I was sitting somewhere different but they'd have seen the door open and the walker take the dog's lead off and the dog come in. Dog walker didn't come in-never does after a walk as the lead hangs up right next to the door.

This is a long-term client who is very comfortable with me. I apologised-dog walker didn't do anything other than literally drop the dog off so it was a few seconds at most, I paused the session and I gave her a couple of minutes longer, she did not seem at all bothered about it.

If you were my client, how bad would you think this would be? I am confident they weren't at all perturbed by it but I feel it was so unprofessional! Nothing like this has happened before.

OP posts:
Idratherbepaddleboarding · 17/10/2023 08:50

It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest although I would definitely want to see more of the dog! But I definitely wouldn’t want to revisit it in the next session, that would feel like a massive waste of my time.

cloudglazer · 17/10/2023 08:58

Stuff happens, but I imagine your client was more impacted than you realise. My bigger concern is that you posted about it on Mumsnet. That is more unprofessional IMO. From a fellow therapist.

ShellySarah · 17/10/2023 09:00

I'd be bothered that something could have been overheard and then that you have a dog in the house that could cause a disturbance. Unprofessional and this is why I hate virtual appointments.

Syrupyslop · 17/10/2023 09:02

I wouldn’t like it. I’d expect the time to be an enclosed confidential space and it would break that. If it had been a particularly emotional or difficult part of the session I’d be upset.

Syrupyslop · 17/10/2023 09:04

HRTQueen · 16/10/2023 22:44

We can’t answer this as it’s about your client and how they feel

This would absolutely break some clients trust and for others it wouldn’t both them at all

only you client can answer this

Yes, but we can say it’s unprofessional and not acceptable as some clients would, for good reason, be very bothered by it.

EfficientlyDecluttering · 17/10/2023 09:15

It would bother me too as it would make me wonder who else is about to wander in. I should not be able to tell you are working from home. I'd be polite and say it was fine if I was an established client and you apologised as you have done but if I was a new client I might be thinking twice.

Superhair · 17/10/2023 09:15

I wouldn’t be comfortable as some have suggested with blurring the background. I’ve had online counselling and in those circumstances I’d want to know where you are working and what’s going on around you. How do I know your family or not sat around within earshot, or next door haven’t just popped in for a chat ‘when you’ve finished’. That would bother me more than a brief interruption from a dog, presuming it wasn’t during a key moment in the session.

Catchthebreezeandwinterchills · 17/10/2023 09:17

I would deem it unprofessional and would not be seeing you again. It takes time to build a therapeutic relationship. I have had therapy in the past, I wonder if peoples responses are linked in to if they have had therapy. it’s not like you having a haircut or a violin lesson that was interrupted. Plus totally dreadful you have posted on an online forum. You should ask to have it removed.

nomoretoriesforme · 17/10/2023 09:21

Maddy70 · 16/10/2023 19:52

I disagree. Councilling is very personal. You were distracted and unprofessional. During a session you should give your client 100 % otherwise what's the point. Just because they've been a client for a ong time doesn't mean you can be sloppy

Make better arrangements

Same.. it would bother me if you get distracted by your dog

overwhelmed2023 · 17/10/2023 18:35

I don't want to pile in and make you feel awful, but are you quite experienced?
I've had loads of therapy and IME the therapist always follows protocol and also knows what to do if there's a problem- so I couldn't imagine any of them just putting it out there on a forum to garner opinions. It seems a bug immature and also not only the above, but why would you need more opinions if your client was ' amazing'. Also surely all clients are equal really so better not to comment on whether they are amazing or not.
So I have to ask is this real? Or a reverse???

Noodge · 17/10/2023 18:55

@overwhelmed2023 where have you read that?

OhcantthInkofaname · 17/10/2023 19:17

I think you're really ethical counselor. You informed your client and stopped session until other person left.

overwhelmed2023 · 17/10/2023 19:21

Read what?

Original poster
Counseller · 17/10/2023 19:29

I really am glad to have so many replies, thank you-apologies that I've not responded to them all. I will try to read through some more tonight

@overwhelmed2023 I don't think I've said my client was amazing have I?! Will have a look through my own posts.

OP posts:
overwhelmed2023 · 17/10/2023 19:35

Ah ok you may have meant your supervisor - in my defence was a little ambiguous

xyz111 · 17/10/2023 19:49

WhateverMate · 16/10/2023 19:20

At least you weren't in a spa.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

threecupsofteaminimum · 18/10/2023 00:46

I'd want to say hello to the dog!

Not even remotely bothered.

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