January 2023

How do you know if a therapist is wrong for you? Some signs of a bad therapist are easy to spot. If your therapist insults or shames you, it’s time to find someone new. Others are more difficult. The therapist might encourage you to blame others or become overly defensive about a criticism. When a […]

Can your therapist give up on you? Don’t take it personally. Seriously, don’t. In many cases, a therapist may decide to discontinue treatment for any number of reasons that have nothing to do with you or your particular mental health issues. Maybe a family problem means they need to cull their hours—and cull their client

Do therapists ever judge you? Some therapists do judge clients for what they tell them in therapy, or dismiss their concerns or emotional responses, and that’s a reason many people hold back in baring their souls in psychotherapy. Some therapists don’t listen when that’s their primary responsibility. What can I tell my therapist? The short

Do therapists talk about their clients with other therapists? Knowing that you can say anything to your therapist and it will remain in the room helps you feel safe and builds trust between you and the therapist. For this reason, all therapists are legally and ethically bound to keep their sessions confidential and not share

Do therapist fantasize about clients? Therapists’ Feelings and Behaviors Toward Clients Most therapists (71 percent) said they, either sometimes or regularly, found a client sexually attractive. Approximately 23 percent had fantasized about being in a romantic relationship and 27 percent about having sexual contact with a patient. Developing romantic feelings for your therapist is common,

Is it OK for a therapist to cry with a client? Many of us who are sensitive and compassionate and feel our emotions do get choked up or tearful on occasion with a patient, she says. And that’s a normal human and interpersonal reaction. While all psychologists work with emotional issues, some are more prone

What’s the hardest part about being a therapist? Some of the hardest things about working as a counselor include the often painful process of working through problems itself, the slow rate with which change and healing happen, the emotional toll the work takes on a counselor and factors like the abundance of paperwork and comparatively

Why are therapists quitting? Therapists have discussed with me the “deep drag” of burnout resulting from overscheduling, personal conflicts, health struggles, and compassion fatigue. Some have made it to the other side, by taking time off and creating a regimen for rejuvenation. Others have realized that this field is not for them any longer. Therapists

Can I hug my therapist? None of the ethics boards that regulate mental health professionals specifically prohibit the use of touch or view it as unethical. There are times when your therapist may believe that it’s more harmful to you not to initiate a hug. In some cases, nonsexual, therapeutic touch may be beneficial. The

Why are there bad therapists? Unfortunately, some therapists are bad at their job. They may be unethical, unmotivated, or insufficiently trained. As you are likely to be investing a lot of time, energy, and money in your therapy, you may want to make sure that your therapist is trustworthy, well-trained, and experienced enough to be