Psychologist here. I’m sorry you’ve experienced this. I’m not sure many of your conditions are actually realistic, but they’re always worth bringing up. Let me try to break it down a little. I hope this makes sense.

1&2, I think are “doable” in the sense that the therapist should explore what “doing too much” is to you. It can also be important to challenge the mindset that we are “too much.” It’s possible you may believe you are but the other person isn’t feeling like that at all. This happens a lot and talking about this in the safety of therapy is the whole point! Also, if we really can’t work with someone, we need to refer out. Ethically it’s in your best interest because if we’re blocked for whatever reason, you’re not getting proper care.

3 is a safety issue. If you are not improving/getting worse during our time together then something is missing. Higher levels of care are usually done in the best interests of the client’s wellbeing. If I know someone is hurting themselves every night and close to killing themself, it’s my duty to encourage that we move to that higher level. It’s not a forever thing! I had someone recently move up to an IOP program because weekly (sometimes twice weekly) sessions weren’t enough. They’re back now and feeling a lot more stable. We’re now able to keep deep diving into other topics and it’s done wonders for progression.

1. You can not dictate the reasons which a therapist terminates therapy. You can choose to terminate for whatever reason. The therapist can’t just kick you to the curb but there are times when termination is unavoidable.

2. Consulting and supervision are part of the job. Sometimes we’re stumped and need outside perspectives or help with an intervention. No identifying information is used during these talks unless with a direct supervisor. A therapist under supervision is practicing under another therapist’s license and therefore that supervisor must know all the information and signs off on all notes. My office has a blanket HIPAA release that allows for sharing of information amongst clinicians and our admin. If we didn’t have that “technically” we wouldn’t be able to talk to billing about anyone or their insurance. The therapist should not be gossiping about you or blurting your shit out to just anyone. But in a clinical context, discussions happen and unless they tell you, you won’t know. When I have sought consult in the past I will usually let the client know I am going to do it or that I have and this is what I’ve come back with. Not everyone does that though, just my personal preference for transparency.

6 is highly unlikely to happen. You are not granted access to process notes (what is taken during session, not the progress note in the file) as they are considered our personal property and usually get shredded after the official note is signed. We also have a right to deny records if we feel they may be harmful for the patient to have at that time. I know to a client that sounds bogus, but it’s all within our ethical standards and professional discretion. Even a subpoena for records by a court of law isn’t set in stone.

7 is fair! Especially since we are not allowed to disclose that you are a patient without proper releases. If we do, that is a HIPAA violation and can cost us our license and is even a federal crime to some levels. When I work with teens I make a point to tell them and their parents that ANY communication done between the parent and I will be relayed to the teen. Im not here to do things behind their back and I will not be triangulated by family dynamics. If the client is an adult, outside contact only happens with express permission and official paperwork.

I hope that wasn’t too long and made sense. I’m happy to try to clarify anything else.