Getting Feedback: Good, Bad, and Terribly Ugly

I've been a full-time therapist for 4 months. In the eyes of many, this constitutes as new and I would agree.

As a therapist, I am still learning. I have been getting good feedback from patients, other therapists, the boss, and other professionals in the building pertaining to my performance. As for my personality, I am invested, excited, and happy to share pertinent information to other therapists daily to institute a culture of consistency in patient care and peer-mentorship. There is at least one therapist at the clinic who does not feel like that, at all. And, she thought it necessary to tell me so, even though there was no invitation from me.

The feedback was harsh and painful, rudely delivered, and non-constructive. The information had the potential to be extremely helpful but since its delivery was so poor, it completely cut me down. To add insult to injury, the therapist continued to spread the information to my peers during patient treatment in a public hallway without my presence. Nobody's perfect.

The administrator of the building noticed I was upset and later in the day asked me what happened. Earlier, I had contemplated keeping the information to myself and a few close friends; however, since the therapist took it on herself to spread the news of my insufficiencies, I was not inspired by the fidelity virtue to keep her out of it. But, I didn't use her name. Simply by describing the actions, the administrator was able to identify the therapist. That says something. The therapist has been employed there for many years and everyone knows her well. While it's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

It was a difficult situation to go through as a new therapist at my first job. The therapist is angry with me that I did not go to her first before speaking freely of the situation to our superiors. She has not told me this; I've only heard through hear-say. I am not sorry that I feel this way; I am not sorry for being a sensitive person. I do not subscribe to a culture of make-you-or-break-you hazing from "experienced" co-workers. I believe I would've risked further abuse if I spoke to her regarding my feelings. The tension between us in the treatment setting is high. Thankfully, I have the support of my peers to keep me focused on the day's work.