Therapist is not returning to office? Won’t say anything.

This just makes no sense to me because my state isn’t even doing bad. It never was doing all that bad. and most of the other therapists and offices in the area have been opened since July except hers. I can’t get an answer from her at all. Maybe she has some kind of illness she’s never told me about. But I’m getting really angry about this. She said we can “‘maybe” do 2 in person sessions this year. But she won’t give me an answer about what’s going on.

It’s just so frustrating and it’s making me really angry.

I had a conversation about this with a friend of mine who used to work in a clinic as admin staff. She said that a lot of Ts who haven’t gone back to f2f yet are actually enjoying their jobs more working remotely and because of that they are no longer in any rush to return. Apparently quite a few have said that they are getting a much better work/life balance working from home, majority of their clients don’t mind it, they don’t miss f2f as much as they thought they would and it saves them money by not renting an office space.
I’m not saying that is the case for your T or for every T but I do think it is quite a common occurrence. I really don’t think some Ts realise the effect not having f2f contact is having on their clients and how much distress it is causing them. But I guess also they are experiencing the pandemic alongside their clients and feel they need to do what is best to protect their own mental health.
It sucks though and I’m so sorry it’s causing you so much distress 🙁

I would also add that there could be other reasons such as child care or anxiety that could be factors. A lot of parents still have children at home who they have to provide care for or educate, so it can be harder to go into the office and maintain that level of supervision or support. And a lot of people have anxiety about contracting the virus even if it's not for their own personal health conditions. It could be that the provider has other loved ones that are vulnerable and at risk, or it could be that they are just extra precautious.

In general, it sounds like it's something that's important to you and upsetting you. It may be worthwhile to address this as directly with feelings when you speak with your therapist next, if you haven't already done so. You can let the therapist know how you feel hurt and angry and that you want and need face-to-face care for your own recovery. If they aren't able to offer that, it may be time to find a new therapist who can provide what you need. It's so frustrating to have to look for a new provider and to have to start over again, but at the same time it's important that you get your needs met. I hope that whatever you do you're able to find the ongoing support that you need. Good luck!

Another thing is if a therapist is in the high risk category or lives with someone who is or has a child, the idea of sitting in an enclosed space could make them uncomfortable. Personally I love teletherapy.

I mentioned something about an activity I will be starting up again but always wearing a mask and my T said good I'm glad you will be wearing a mask because not enough people are taking this seriously.
He has stated before that he will not go f2f again until after there is a vaccine.

I can understand that it is frustrating for you if you are keen to get back to f2f. There are a ton of different reasons why someone wouldn't want to go back f2f under the circumstances, and some of them could well be beyond her comfort level with disclosure. She could have a health issue she is unwilling to disclose, or a close loved one might instead.
Whatever the reason, there is little you can do about it and that must feel disempowering. This whole pandemic situation is disempowering in so many ways!!

She doesn't need to reveal what her concerns might be, but I do see it as unhelpful that she won't give any firm guidance as to her intentions.

If you are looking for f2f and she is unable to commit to a timeline for that, then perhaps seeking a different therapist would be in order.

Before you do that, though, you might want to be sure that f2f is sufficiently important that you are willing to deal with the inconvenience of finding and getting to know someone new. Maybe a list of pros and cons of changing therapists would be worth making?

She agreed to see me in person next Thursday. So I’m happy and grateful about that. She also said she could see me at the end of October. But that’s about it. At least it’s something though.