I've seen power taken and surrendered in extremely subtle ways, in controlling the narrative, in who instructs, who can belittle without consequence etc. And if someone is vulnerable, needs relief from pain, needs answers, the client can be easier to manipulate, particularly if they ascribe expertise to the counselor. I've seen a hierarchy in many social relationships, not just therapy. In junior high it's the mean girl thing.
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Originally Posted by atisketatasket
I see the distinction you're making, and I think it is a real one, but it seems to me most therapists would fall into neither category. Most therapists are not psychiatrists and therefore don't have institutional power. I'm not sure what you mean by new age therapists, but neither of mine set themselves up as a guru, and that seems to be the case with a good number of therapists described on the forum (not all, though). So where does that rather large middle of mental health professionals get the power they are perceived to have?
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