I have to say that this is one of the most obnoxious things I've ever read.

I grew up with abuse, and I know that I have let people in my adult life treat me in a way I shouldn't be treated. Even people who are in my circle of friends. I KNOW how hard it is to know what the "right" reaction is. I would think "gee, M is being SO mean, but maybe I'm just overreacting" or whatever. Slowly, slowly, slowly through therapy, I'm learning how people are supposed to be treated and I don't question myself in the same way anymore. I can stand up for myself, or distance myself, things I didn't know how to do before. How can you learn this when you are being talked to like she is talking to you? I learned by watching MY THERAPIST and EXPERIENCING the treatment he believes I deserve. And now it's kind of ingrained. I wish I could have learned it earlier in life, because it would have saved me a lot of pain, and I know I still have a long way to go, but it's getting easier to recognize. I can tell you that SHE is not keeping good boundaries, at ALL, by dumping her negative, ugly feelings on you like that, all wrapped up in blaming and shaming.

I hope you talk to the other psych soon to get some perspective. I REALLY get that it's hard to trust your instincts and pull away from this kind of relationship...especially with all of the intermittent rewards (gifts! phone calls! exercise buddy!), but I hate to see anyone be treated in such a way.

I hope this isn't worded too strongly. I don't usually have/express such strong feelings about someone else's therapy, because I'm not *there*, but if she is saying the things that you are writing here, it is really completely unacceptable behavior from a FRIEND, let alone a therapist. Ack!

I'm sorry about your mom, cats. I do hope you get the loving, boundaried support that you need.