Is it okay to give a gift to my therapist?

That is very considerate.I’d do it! :)

I think that would be lovely. Just right.

Personally, I would continue to keep the relationship professional. She is being paid to do a good job.

Mine always appreciated a small homemade consumable. Yours will understand that it’s just a friendly token.

Review your consent to treatment form that you signed at the beginning of therapy. There may be a clause on gift-giving, and if there is please read that first before you give her anything!

Many therapists are concerned with keeping treatment professional, and therefore that could be considered not a good idea from several angles including suggesting a different kind of relationship, garnering favor, or manipulation.

However, if it is not mentioned in your consent to treatment form then I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Just make sure it’s small and not expensive.

Since they know “the real you”, show your kindness part and give her/him a nice Christmas present. they probably do not need the gift, since they make boatloads of money, but its the thought that counts.

I don’t even remember a consent to treatment form so there is no chance I will ever find it.

She tells stories about her childhood when it helps explain things, so I feel like she isn’t a friend but she isn’t a stickler. She does not talk about her current private life other than her art and her art office that she goes to every weekend. Nothing about children, husband, etc.

She’s very artsy and floaty – that is how I think of her anyway.

The office would have kept one on file if you did indeed sign one. It was probably just another form, and people hardly ever read those things.

But! Perhaps she didn’t have one. I thought all of them had to, but maybe not.

I’m just saying that beyond either consulting that form or actually asking yourself, you can’t be absolutely sure it’s fine. Perhaps mostly sure, but not ABSOLUTELY.

I’m sure if she finds it inappropriate after three years she’ll find a way to tell you, gently, with no embarrassment on either side.

As a physician, I can say that I’m always a little embarrased when I get a gift from a patient, so I’m going to go into the “no, don’t do it” group. If you want to get something, get your therapist a card, and write something nice on it. Or just tell her “Merry Christmas.”

@Rarebear Yikes, I just took a box of cookies over to my doctor and his office staff. Do you think that’s weird? I figured since it is Xmas, they might like knowing that they’re appreciated.

@Kardamom Don’t worry about it. Food is always appreciated. What I do when people give me cookies is that I just give it to the nurses and everybody likes it.

And this is just my little idiosyncrocy, and I can only speak for me. Everybody is different.

I think that a gift for the nurses and staff is fine. They are the ones I normally call when I need quick and accurate advice.

My psychiatrist and I lent each other books from time to time, mostly poetry that we liked. It felt benign and not fraught with implication.

I can’t see any problem at all with a card and homemade candy. It’s not like you are trying to curry favor, brown nose or get a higher grade! What’s she going to do – upgrade your DSM classification?

To clarify a bit… she is not the one who prescribes my meds or diagnoses me. We just talk and work on issues. She is not affiliated with any of the clinics or hospitals around here. She rents an office at one of the clinics, but does not have a staff. She does what she loves and doesn’t get caught up in all of the paperwork – I file my own insurance claims.

She sounds like mine. It seems that you have a real quality relationship with this person, and a little homemade candy shouldn’t sully it.

I don’t see a problem with the idea of giving her a gift. My father is a dentist and receives all kinds of gifts from patients around the holidays.

I say do it. i gave my last therapist some homemade pumpkin bread and he was thrilled. It’s just a nice gesture.

I gave it to her at my appointment today and she was delighted. I kept it in my purse just in case, but I saw another gift on her desk so I decided it was probably okay. Thanks for all of the answers!

Thanks for the update. I’m late to the question, but my answer would have fit right in with your comment.