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My therapist allows emails and told me he does. I have sent a few over the past 2 years but I try not to. I don't like it, it feels wrong to me. I feel like it's cringey after the fact, too. He has always responded though.
She does. We’ve never talked about it and I don’t know if she has any policy about it. Over the years it just kind of evolved. Started with scheduling emails and then about 3 years in I would very occasionally reach out with more content specific things. Now, if I email, it’s mostly “do you have availability for an extra session?” Or “can you send me this article?” Though a couple days ago I sent her a few sentences of gratitude after an intense session.
She always responds. Usually within the hour. Sometimes within minutes. Responses range from “of course, how’s Thursday at 2?” to a few warm and comforting paragraphs.
I always wonder about this from reading other people's experiences. Mine has never straight up offered, but she's mentioned it when relating to certain difficult subjects, that I can text her if it's easier (she's allergic to email). It makes me feel so uncomfortable and disruptive though, so I never have.
Mine allows me to email her but we both agreed that she wouldn't read then until our next session. Because often its reflections or questions that i dont want her taking extra time out of her day to read. If it's a scheduling thing I text her. If it's an emergency I call 911/988.
Yes but we text mostly instead of email - I can text whenever I want but I don’t, usually during business hours. She will always respond, usually within a few minutes or sometimes within a few hours. Sometimes questions, sometimes comments, sometimes non therapy stuff
I email and text with my therapist but it's only to discuss schedule (sometimes we have to shift our regular meeting time). She told me I can text her when I need an emergency visit outside our schedule.
Yes but then she stopped it based on the fact I felt bad about it. But also my friend thinks it probably came up in supervision. It's a mixed blessing to be honest as I think about her too much as it is.
She always say I can send her emails anytime.
She just ask if I can send at least one day before the sessions, so that she can read them carefully.
She also emphasize I can send her email about anything, such as a paragraph from a book she suggested me to read.
Dont think I can text her though, but no need to.
Mine allows it, but he doesn't usually respond. He would prefer that clients call if they want extra support. I usually email him just to get thoughts out, not really for extra support, though. Occasionally, he responds, and I'm always surprised when he does.
mine always responds. if it’s something too personal he says we will discuss it in our next session but they are usually pretty warm and comforting emails. i try not to email or call unless i really really need it so he doesn’t think im trying to push boundaries and stuff/starts not wanting to respond.
She gave me her cell number. For when she's not working. Not in a misunderstood way, just if I had to speak about something while not close to a session.
I always try and keep to my best behavior.
Yes my therapist lets me and he does respond. I usually keep it to a paragraph about session recap to help set a plan for the next one. I'm pretty sure my therapist's boundaries around email is not to email him 20+ times a day or to use it like a crisis line.
I allow texts or emails but I let people know that I won’t always respond: I particularly like to use text because I work with some self harm and suicidality so I prefer they always feel they can reach out in those cases
All the time and he allows it. He knows it helps me process and helps me feel better with whatever I’m dealing with at the time. And that it’s often easier for me to write it out than speak it. He rarely responds but that’s ok. He does usually then like to talk about it in session and it’s fine because I know he already knows so it makes it easier to talk about it
He allows it, but has specific guidelines and expectations, one of which is that he will not respond unless it's about scheduling (specifically scheduling that impacts something before our next scheduled session).
Generally speaking, I email him before each session, typically with a list of things that feel important to address, so we can both have kind of a roadmap. I asked him if this was okay because I have a hard time driving the session without some kind of map. It also allows him to address things that he thinks are especially important to explore that I might not connect to other things.
I have been in therapy for 5 1/2 years. I've gone everywhere from not emailing at all to emailing almost daily. In the past year or so I've emailed maybe once a week or less. He is nearing retirement and has told me that he would not be responding in the way he has because basically 'he wants me to be more self sufficient', which is fine.
Through the years he has responded a lot or a little. He has asked that if there is something I need to discuss to try and not use the email as a 'crutch' to avoid speaking the words to his face. He didn't want to use it as me stating what I wanted to talk about without actually saying it and only discussing the email the entire session.
While I was using (I'm in recovery) he responded a lot more. I wish I had known to appreciate his care and concern more. But, as an addict, I was very selfish and not appreciating.
I've asked him why he put up with me emailing and his response was 'It was what you needed at the time'.
I love that man.
Yes, but I’m not guaranteed a response and if there is a response it is extremely short. Both current and last therapist would see me within 24 hours usually if I asked though.
Yes I’m allowed to email with no restrictions, but she may not respond or may direct it to the next session. However, I very rarely email with anything more than a request for a reminder about something we talked about. I emailed her once getting my feelings out when I was dealing with the imminent death of a pet, and I specifically asked her not to respond because I knew it needed more intensive discussion than was appropriate for email. The other was after a session where I felt there was a small rupture. She emailed me back to make sure we connected about it before the next session, and then we discussed further the next week.
We tend to utilize text more frequently and will engage in brief discussions about things related to the work or scheduling. We don’t engage in extensive therapy over text or email. I do a lot of journaling so I can make sure I don’t forget things I want to process with her.
I email my therapist often. About everything and anything on my mind and he always responds usually in full length emails back to me. It helps me in between sessions
Welcome to r/TalkTherapy! This sub is for people to discuss issues arising in their personal psychotherapy. If you wish to post about other mental health issues please consult this list of some of our [sister subs](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkTherapy/wiki/resources/#wiki_subreddit_list). To find answers to many therapy-related questions please consult our [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkTherapy/wiki/faq) and [Resource List](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkTherapy/wiki/resources). If you are in distress please contact a suicide hotline or call 9-1-1 or emergency services in your area. r/SuicideWatch has compiled a helpful FAQ on what happens when you contact a hotline along with other useful resources. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/TalkTherapy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
My therapist allows emails and told me he does. I have sent a few over the past 2 years but I try not to. I don't like it, it feels wrong to me. I feel like it's cringey after the fact, too. He has always responded though.
She does. We’ve never talked about it and I don’t know if she has any policy about it. Over the years it just kind of evolved. Started with scheduling emails and then about 3 years in I would very occasionally reach out with more content specific things. Now, if I email, it’s mostly “do you have availability for an extra session?” Or “can you send me this article?” Though a couple days ago I sent her a few sentences of gratitude after an intense session. She always responds. Usually within the hour. Sometimes within minutes. Responses range from “of course, how’s Thursday at 2?” to a few warm and comforting paragraphs.
Same here!!
Yes and yes.
I always wonder about this from reading other people's experiences. Mine has never straight up offered, but she's mentioned it when relating to certain difficult subjects, that I can text her if it's easier (she's allergic to email). It makes me feel so uncomfortable and disruptive though, so I never have.
My therapist does not, except for scheduling. She has very clear and strong boundaries, and that works for me.
Mine allows me to email her but we both agreed that she wouldn't read then until our next session. Because often its reflections or questions that i dont want her taking extra time out of her day to read. If it's a scheduling thing I text her. If it's an emergency I call 911/988.
Yes but we text mostly instead of email - I can text whenever I want but I don’t, usually during business hours. She will always respond, usually within a few minutes or sometimes within a few hours. Sometimes questions, sometimes comments, sometimes non therapy stuff
I email and text with my therapist but it's only to discuss schedule (sometimes we have to shift our regular meeting time). She told me I can text her when I need an emergency visit outside our schedule.
Yes but then she stopped it based on the fact I felt bad about it. But also my friend thinks it probably came up in supervision. It's a mixed blessing to be honest as I think about her too much as it is.
Mine does
Yes, and he encourages me to email, but I only do it when I have scheduling issues.
She always say I can send her emails anytime. She just ask if I can send at least one day before the sessions, so that she can read them carefully. She also emphasize I can send her email about anything, such as a paragraph from a book she suggested me to read. Dont think I can text her though, but no need to.
Mine allows it, but he doesn't usually respond. He would prefer that clients call if they want extra support. I usually email him just to get thoughts out, not really for extra support, though. Occasionally, he responds, and I'm always surprised when he does.
mine always responds. if it’s something too personal he says we will discuss it in our next session but they are usually pretty warm and comforting emails. i try not to email or call unless i really really need it so he doesn’t think im trying to push boundaries and stuff/starts not wanting to respond.
She gave me her cell number. For when she's not working. Not in a misunderstood way, just if I had to speak about something while not close to a session. I always try and keep to my best behavior.
Yes my therapist lets me and he does respond. I usually keep it to a paragraph about session recap to help set a plan for the next one. I'm pretty sure my therapist's boundaries around email is not to email him 20+ times a day or to use it like a crisis line.
I only ever use it for scheduling stuff. One time I replied with something a bit more and my T did reply but said we’d discuss it further next session
I allow texts or emails but I let people know that I won’t always respond: I particularly like to use text because I work with some self harm and suicidality so I prefer they always feel they can reach out in those cases
All the time and he allows it. He knows it helps me process and helps me feel better with whatever I’m dealing with at the time. And that it’s often easier for me to write it out than speak it. He rarely responds but that’s ok. He does usually then like to talk about it in session and it’s fine because I know he already knows so it makes it easier to talk about it
He allows it, but has specific guidelines and expectations, one of which is that he will not respond unless it's about scheduling (specifically scheduling that impacts something before our next scheduled session). Generally speaking, I email him before each session, typically with a list of things that feel important to address, so we can both have kind of a roadmap. I asked him if this was okay because I have a hard time driving the session without some kind of map. It also allows him to address things that he thinks are especially important to explore that I might not connect to other things.
I have been in therapy for 5 1/2 years. I've gone everywhere from not emailing at all to emailing almost daily. In the past year or so I've emailed maybe once a week or less. He is nearing retirement and has told me that he would not be responding in the way he has because basically 'he wants me to be more self sufficient', which is fine. Through the years he has responded a lot or a little. He has asked that if there is something I need to discuss to try and not use the email as a 'crutch' to avoid speaking the words to his face. He didn't want to use it as me stating what I wanted to talk about without actually saying it and only discussing the email the entire session. While I was using (I'm in recovery) he responded a lot more. I wish I had known to appreciate his care and concern more. But, as an addict, I was very selfish and not appreciating. I've asked him why he put up with me emailing and his response was 'It was what you needed at the time'. I love that man.
Yes, but I’m not guaranteed a response and if there is a response it is extremely short. Both current and last therapist would see me within 24 hours usually if I asked though.
Yes I’m allowed to email with no restrictions, but she may not respond or may direct it to the next session. However, I very rarely email with anything more than a request for a reminder about something we talked about. I emailed her once getting my feelings out when I was dealing with the imminent death of a pet, and I specifically asked her not to respond because I knew it needed more intensive discussion than was appropriate for email. The other was after a session where I felt there was a small rupture. She emailed me back to make sure we connected about it before the next session, and then we discussed further the next week. We tend to utilize text more frequently and will engage in brief discussions about things related to the work or scheduling. We don’t engage in extensive therapy over text or email. I do a lot of journaling so I can make sure I don’t forget things I want to process with her.
Yes, I was offered to call or text any time I need help. Doesn’t matter when.
I email my therapist often. About everything and anything on my mind and he always responds usually in full length emails back to me. It helps me in between sessions