upset with therapist

[therapistproblem]

I had 2 sessions with this therapist who seemed very good in 1st session.
I went to him for OCD. He was interested in knowing about my childhood, family, life etc.

My childhood was complicated. I have learnt many strange beliefs thanks to my dysfunction and strong opinionated family. I know there is some connection between my childhood and my current problems.

Towards the end of session, I asked if I can do anything until next session as OCD was distressing as he had not given any practical advice of coping with it.

He asked me to maintain a diary and told me names of 2 books to read. Said he would email me the details. I never got those details.

On my next session, he asked me more about my family, my life history, etc. We didn't talk about OCD. Towards the end of session, I reminded him about that email, he said he would send.Another one week went by, there was no email.

Today less than 2 hours before my scheduled session, he sent me an email that he is unwell and he needs to move the session to another day with offer of another appointment 2 days later.

I am now finding him unprofessional and kind of losing my trust in him being a considerate therapist.

I am wondering would this therapist be okay if I cancelled my appointment 2 hours before our session.

Am I overreacting in my thinking?

I haven't replied to his email yet. Thank you.

To summarise- in 1st session he told me he would send books recommendations on email. He didn’t.

In 2nd session, I reminded him about it. He said he will send.

One more week went by, nothing was sent.

Less than 2 hours before my 3rd session, he cancelled saying he is unwell and gave me an option of another.
I told him I am ok with new appointment date.

It’s been 2 days ( today my changed appointment), he didn’t respond to say appointment is confirmed.

Still no email about the resources.

Am I expecting too much?

Yeah i think id look for a different therapist

I'd look for a different therapist as well.

Yeah definitely find a new therapist. Trust your instincts on this one.

That's one of the really sad things about having mh issues - not trusting our instincts. It's so hard to know what to do sometimes just in case we are just being 'hyper-sensitive'. It's probably due to people gaslighting us too that makes us freeze. But I definitely think given he's twice forgot to email and once changed appointments, that's good enough reason to change.

I formed a really good relationship with a therapist but I'd get really upset with him as he'd forget stuff I'd told him. In the end, it did weaken the trust.

This does sound quite annoying and unprofessional. How would you feel talking to him about it? I had to bring some issues up with my therapist once, about my appointment times being sent out wrong, not returning calls etc. but it did improve things.

If you don't feel you can bring it up then I would move on and find somebody else.

Are you paying privately? If so then yes, definitely find a new therapist. The therapy process will be most successful of you have a positive relationship with your therapist and it doesn’t sound like this one has gotten off to a good start so you’d be better to move on now before you’ve invested too much of yourself.

I feel for you OP, if only you could change your therapist.

Ditch him and find another one. He shouldn't promise to email you book titles and then not do it, on the contrary he should make a note to remind himself, or else just write down the details and give to you.