Scary experience at work
Mostly me venting but also open to advice. I work in a group practice without a receptionist. Clients check in on a little ipad kiosk and it sends us a text that the client arrived.
Today when I went to grab my client, there was someone I didn't recognize in the lobby.
"Hey, is [therapist's name] here?"
The therapist he was asking for left the practice months ago, and that's when it hit me. This individual was banned from our practice due to inappropriate and borderline stalking behavior. He was told via letter, email and phone call that he is not allowed on the premises.
"No, she's not here." I said.
"When will she be back?"
"I don't feel comfortable giving that information"
"Give me a business card then"
"Sure, what's your name?" (I knew his name, everyone in the practice knows his name, I just hoped he would confirm it).
He sneers, "I don't feel comfortable giving you that information."
"Got it. In that case, are you leaving now or would you prefer to be escorted out?"
He jumps up from his seat, "oh YOU'RE NOT escorting me ANYWHERE" as he begins approaching me.
I shut the door before he could reach me, which is locked on his side.
I take my client to my office, apologize, I go talk to our clinic director who jumps into action. But by the time she got there he was nowhere to be seen.
When I got back to finally start session, I was quite shaken up (and literally shaking, hoenstly). I was able to drink some water, take some breaths and model appropriate emotion regulation. I think.
Before group practice I worked in pretty secure settings. Don't get me wrong, I'm no stranger to death threats or clients saying they're going to send someone to shoot up my car on the way home (thanks, Juvie experience). But this felt so much scarier being in an unprotected, unsecure setting. Not to mention, this wasn't my client so I have no concept of what he might be trying to do.
I'm home from work now but just can't shake the uneasy feeling. Hence my post. Idk what I'm hoping to get out of this but thought maybe getting the thoughts out would help.