Should I invite my psychologist to my wedding?

Question

I have seen my doctor since I was 8 years old. My mama had Huntington's Chorea, and my doctor used to take me to the hospital to visit my mama (she was my mama's doctor too). She helped me understand as a little girl that mama loved me, even though she said many awful things to me, and behaved in strange ways. After mama died when I was ten, my doctor helped me grieve, and she was always there for me as a teenager when I needed a woman to talk with about girl things. I don't know what it feels like to have a normal mama, but I would say my doctor helped a lot, and sometimes was like a mama to me. She gave me confidence to go to college, and helped me decide to marry my boyfriend, who is a wonderful man. She also helped me decide what we will do after our marriage. I have my mama's inheritance, so we don't have to work for money. We will travel to third world countries, and I will be a teacher for children, and my finace will write a book on our experiences. My doctor has helped me so much and I want to invite her to my wedding, but I also know that people will think that is not professional. What would you girls do?

Answer 1

I am not a girl, but i say: Invite her and dont care what people say. You owe a lot to this person.

Answer 2

IF your relationship is purely professional I'd say no.  (Like you've never seen her outside of the office).  If you already have a social relationship then I'd say yes if she is important to you you should invite her.

Answer 3

I think it would be unethical for her to go.  It would violate the boundaries of the doctor/patient professional relationship.  You can always call and ask her how she feels about it and if she wants to then go ahead and invite her.  

Answer 4

Your psychologist has become more like a family friend. The relationship is not purely professional. Therefore you should definitely invite her! She has been a big part of your life.

Answer 5

My first reaction when I read the question was "no" because a patient/psychologist relation is a professional one. However, after reading the details, it sounds like your relationship with this woman goes beyond those normal boundaries and crosses over into a familial relationship. Invite her but be understanding if she declines.

Good luck on your wedding and marriage.

Answer 6

I would invite her. It sounds like she's been a very important part of your life for a long time. I wouldn't give a second thought as to what anyone else would think of it either. It doesn't matter.  

Answer 7

You should absolutely invite her to your wedding!  It's true that some psychologists feel that it is a breach of the professional relationship between themselves and their patients to attend such personal events as weddings, but this woman sounds like so much more than just your therapist- it sounds like she was almost a stand-in for your mom after she passed away.  She's known you since you were a little girl and watched you grow up, and she's had a definite hand in making you the woman you are today.  If anything, I think she'd be quite hurt if you didn't invite her.  Extend the invitation, tell her it would mean a lot for her to be there, but then give her the ultimate say over whether she feels it's appropriate to attend or not.  When you are introducing her to the other guests, just say she's a beloved friend if you don't want to get into the whole psychologist thing.  I'm sure it will mean so much to her to see you get married.  Best of luck!

Answer 8

Yes, invite her. She's the reason why you had a balanced life. Without her, where would you be? I think she should really be your maid of honor because she shaped you into being the woman you are.

Answer 9

Your psychologist has practically raised you. Of course invite her to your wedding. You have probably already invited other people who don't carry the importance of influencing your life as much as she has. I'm sure she would be disappointed if she didn't get to watch the girl she has taken from childhood to womanhood on her special day. She obviously has taken you under her wing, and cares about you very much. I'm sure she is very proud of you, professionally, and personally. Invite her!

Answer 10

Wow, she seems to have done so much for you, it would almost seem improper not to invite her! I'm surprised you're not asking her to be a bridesmaid! Of course you should invite her. You're allowed to invite whomever you want.

Answer 11

i'd ask her to be my maid of honor. people like her don't come along every day. she sounds like a wonderful person. good luck. i hope you have the most memorable wedding ever.

Answer 12

No. You have a professional relationship with her, not a social one. However, it would be nice to bring in a few photos of you enjoying the wedding and the honeymoon. :)