I dug up this old thread because I have recently come across the issue of addressing each other in my search for a new T/P.

After 3 sessions with Dr.B he offered to refer me to a female psychologist. Although I have a certain respect for Dr.B, he is too cold and distant for me. He even refuses to shake hands with his clients, which just further validates my mental self-concept of being poisonous or demonic, like old T made me feel when she terminated me. In his case, ALL clients always calls him Doctor, but I do not recall him ever calling me anything.

My first session with the female P (which requires a 90-minute drive one way) began with her identification as Dr.S, while she addressed me by my first name. I was annoyed by this and would like to know if anyone else is also bothered by such a practice. It just seems arrogant and condescending for her to expect to be addressed with a formal title and yet assume that I am okay with her addressing me informally. I may not be a doctor, but if she wants to be formal then why not also call me Mrs.Hatter? I didn't say she could call me by my first name. What if I just start calling her by her first name, I wonder if she will say anything about it.

Yes, I know what she would think, that I am being difficult and antagonistic. I admit I feel this way. I am on a mission to scrutinize everything before I trust again.