4 businesses, washrooms and a shared waiting area reside here. Professionalism: responsibility, respect, and integrity – expected of therapist and patient. A response is warranted.
I concur with the first four sentences of JC statement, but the rest, not. Here is my account as follows:
JC arrived earlier than expected. JC acknowledges [in his statement] that he came into waiting area. But instead of sitting and waiting to be greeted before starting the normal intake process, he attempted to enter a treatment room that was clearly mark as “in Session”. That room had a female patient was getting dressed. And due to the urgency of the situation, I had used an assertive voice, in clear easy to understand language instructing JC not to enter that room. Normally, a single request should have sufficed; but I had to repeat myself before JC took his hand off the door knob. Then JC announced he was here to see someone else. So, I politely asked him to have a sit in the waiting room.
Although this is an extremely rare occurrence, most people acknowledge their error and quietly sit and wait for their therapist. But JC decided to protest verbally that the “customer is always right”. I repeated that, “one does not just walk into an occupied room”. I also told JC that he would be considered as a patient. Again, JC interrupted me and continued his protest. At that moment, I had decided to not accept JC as a patient as it became clear that he did not understand what is considered reasonable conduct in a place of business, or medical office. Fortunately, JC did voice that he wasn’t interested in becoming a patient. That moment presents, and I asked JC to leave the premises. JC continued to vocalize as he was leaving the office and the building.
My female patient hearing the entire event, elected to remain in the room until JC left. When I went to check on her, she expressed some concern. I reassured her safety. She is my patient and responsibility.
In over ten years of service, I never experienced such disrespectfulness requiring a refusal of service. As a result, we have made changes to our security policy.