Hello.

Am I just oversensitive, or are therapy waiting rooms the worst? I know that in an ideal world there would be no stigma, but stigma is totally a thing and I can't help but feel like the other people in the waiting room are thinking "Wonder what's wrong with that one..." Plus, mental health is such a private thing that you should be able to keep to yourself. By sitting in a public waiting room with a bunch of clients, you're basically shouting, "Hey guys! Check this out! I have emotional problems!"

The office I go to sees a lot of military people, and I almost feel guilty when I see a man in uniform step out of a session. Guys who are used to having a more macho persona probably don't want people to know they're in therapy, and I'm intruding on their privacy.

It's also a probably well known clinic in my area since it's one of the first results when I Google "psychotherapy + my area." Seeing someone I know there would epitomize awkwardness!

I know there's not much an office can do to shield clients from seeing one another, but there has to be some kind of better model...Maybe?