Physiotherapist Rachel Rubin-Sarganis has on two occasions surprised me by asking me to allow a…read moretrainee into my private sessions, with no advance notice. They were both standing in front of the door of the treatment room, and to say "no" would be very awkward. I was not informed this was a training facility, and not asked in advance if I would consent to his presence in my treatment. The first time (May 2nd/2025) I allowed it, but the second time (May 15th/2025), I said no. I was put in a physical position to have to say it to both of them in the moment.
I allowed it the first time because I desperately needed pain relief, was surprised, and was afraid refusing the trainee would negatively impact my session. My pain escalated just from the stress of the interaction.
On the second occasion (May 15th) When Ms. RS and I got in the room, I said that I would have liked to have been informed and asked in advance. I have been in trainee sessions with other practitioners, but was always part of an informed consent process. I also reminded her that I am in regular physiotherapy as a survivor of a vicious assault. This has left me permanently disabled, and in severe chronic pain. I expect her to be trauma informed sufficiently to understand not to spring surprises on clients. And to understand the effect this might have on a survivor. I have a spinal crush injury, nearly died from this experience, and my life has been severely impacted in every aspect. I even need a task trained service animal.
First, she sat across from me and apologized. I started to accept her apology, then she interrupted me to falsely claim that in the first instance, she had taken me aside in advance to ask for consent. I told her that I was about to accept her apology. But now that she had rescinded it to lie and gaslight me, I didn't want the session. She kept touching me, and I told her to stop. I was shaking, and told her so. I stood up, and said I was leaving. She could have easily just let me get past. Instead, she stood up, planted herself in front of me, and kept backing up to block me from getting to the door. She again put her hands up, trying to touch my arms and shoulder.
I had to tell her, "Stop blocking me," before she'd move. She again lied, saying she wasn't blocking me, while she was in the act of doing so. We had been on the long end of the room, and she backed up to block me four steps to the door on the other end.
Her trainee was right on the other side of the door, and likely heard our interaction. I was further humiliated and hurt.
I requested and received a refund. I was still shaking. To have what seemed like a gentle and caring healthcare practitioner turn into an abuser, was shocking.
It was humiliating and very distressing. I then cancelled future appointments with her and with the counsellor with whom I had an appointment. Ironically, my counselling was to be about being violated by authority figures. I cannot trust this clinic for their services. I had difficulty driving home, and nearly got into an accident. It is now 2 1/2 hours later, and I'm still shaking and unable to eat.
I need regular physical therapy, but it will be a while before I feel safe to book as session anywhere. I'll have to start my research over, then repeat the painful, stressful and expensive initial assessment elsewhere.
I have filed a complaint with Ms. Rubin-Sarganis' professional association. She doesn't even have the regular courtesy most people exhibit when asking if they can bring an extra person for dinner, let alone to a private healthcare session.
