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

[HoneymoonGirl]

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

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.

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.

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.

PMSL at the thought of him being called Rudolph.

Agreed. And same.
it can also be hard to wonder about patients you've deeply cared about - seen healing and recovery and wonder how they are months and years on.

Not creepy.

Just tell him you have a Boyfriend

Op, that’s just a kind message, he’s not hitting on you. He will send the same to many of his patients.

It's not creepy at all. He has been thinking about you, in the way of anyone who has a client and is thinking about them and when they will see them next. It doesn't mean he's been thinking about you in a sexual or romantic way or anything other than professionally.

Definitely not creepy. I would use this sort of language to let a client know they've been held in mind (ie Ive not forgotten about you in your absence) & to check if you're ready to recommence after a break/holiday etc. If you have a strong reaction to the idea of being 'thought about' by your therapist that might be useful to explore when you recommence work together.

None of our psychiatrists (nor any other professionals) in our team would speak to a client that way. We might say that following on from our last session we were wondering how they were doing or if they’d made any progress.

But we are nhs so maybe that’s the difference.

He wants your money. I wouldn't want a psychiatrist pushing me to book paid appointments. Unless I had a medical need. Not just because they were 'thinking about me.'

So I wouldn't call it pervy but I would call it crass and money grabbing. And the fact you say it feels off means you clearly don't fully trust the motives of this person.

He is just worried you haven’t re-booked and wants to chivvy you along. He has a living to earn.

i work as a clinician. This is polite and caring. You are reading too much into it. Be happy that someone has gone out of their way to contact you to check in on your wellbeing.

I think it was strangely worded but I wouldn’t think too much into it unless he’s otherwise creepy. I would prefer a healthcare professional to be wondering how I’m doing and want to see me at an appointment than have no clue who I am and no follow up. But if he has overstepped in any way or you have a gut feeling about him generally then I’d find someone new

I am married and he knows this.

What a strange suggestion. OP isn’t being hit on by a drunken lout in a pub. It’s her therapist writing an email. He’ll definitely know whether or not OP has a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband etc. She can’t just make something up.

I assume that poster was joking. Sounds like you do think he fancies you?

It was a joke
There are various memes etc about saying "I have a Boyfriend" as soon as any man even looks at you
Apologies OP , I think I spend too much time with my Teens

Agree with this response. Not a great choice of words, but not creepy based on that alone.

Is your therapy with him about trust issues?
Or being unable to properly read people and their intentions?

You are way off in this. It’s a normal prompt email for you to book your next session.

I think the op is wedded to the idea he fancies her, so took you seriously.

Not creepy. I actually view it as their way of reassuring you that they’re considering you and your needs. FWIW I work tangentially in mental health and would potentially frame an email in this way.

It is clumsy wording I think. I wouldn't read too much in to it other than he's running a private practice and has to source his own income.