To complain about this?

[moutonfou]

I'm lucky that my workplace provides a third-party Employee Assistance Programme which offers up to 6 counselling sessions per year.

Last year, after a crisis, I had 6 sessions which helped me feel myself again and empowered me this year to take up running, get promoted at work, and basically have a really positive year.

I'm starting to feel down again - running has fallen by the wayside, and I have some family issues (alcoholism etc) I'm not really able to about with anybody I know. So I called the helpline again.

The supposed trained counsellor who did the assessment was beyond rude. Some things she said included:

"So did it not help you last year? So why are you back then?"
"You can't just do 6 sessions of counselling a year and nothing in the meantime."
"So why exactly aren't you happy?" (me: I'm just feeling down about family issues and always find the winter tough) "Yes but what EXACTLY would make you happy?"
[surprised] "Oh, so you have a husband do you?"
[again surprised] "Oh, and you work?" (yes, this is an Employee Assistance Programme and I've already told you who I work for...)

She even at one point made reference to my "being abused when younger" and that they couldn't "fix my childhood". I hadn't even said any such thing - I'd just mentioned being in an unhealthy relationship a couple of years ago!

Would IBU to send a complaint? I felt incredibly judged and stigmatised, and TBH not even accurately listened to, let alone empathetically.

Charming, think she's been trained for the wrong job. Yes, I would definitely complain. Sorry you're feeling down, I always feel worse in winter.

God she sounds awful, sorry you've had that response from a so-called counsellor! Yes, complain in writing & hopefully you can speak to someone more useful soon

Dreadful. Do complain.

That’s really shitty of her! I wonder how many other people she has made to feel like this. Definitely complain!

She sounds fucking crap. Complain. Nobody should have to deal with her.

Complain. Why should she get paid for upsetting possibly vulnerable people!!?

Yes absolutely complain.

Keep the complain brief, factual, specific and state clearly what outcome you would like.

Oh God, what an awful experience. I'm sorry you met this horrible woman. I too have had many encounters with such staff just like this and so have people I used to support. I promise some will believe you and this is more common than people like to admit.

Yes you must complain - she's in a position of trust where people in distress rely on her. If she's behaving tactlessly and dismissively she could be damaging clients and preventing them accessing the necessary help - which obviously includes you!

And don't let her put you off getting counselling again. You know it's an effective treatment for you and you know now is an appropriate time to return there, so you have every reason and every right to reapply. I hope it helps you have another really positive year.