I think context and wording matter a lot. If someone says therapy harmed them, and they are told "therapy is not for everyone", there is an implication that the client was the problem. However, if they are told "therapy can be damaging", that puts responsibility on the system. A world of difference in my view. Ah! Now I understand what you're saying. Yes, I would agree that if someone says, "therapy is not for everyone" and then goes on to say that perhaps they should try another therapist or to examine how THEY contributed to the debacle then I think that saying it is hurtful or blaming would make entire sense. But if a poster says that they agree that a person's description of their therapy is horrendous (something I think when I read your posts and some others on this forum who describe their therapy experience) and then go on to say that finding another path might be helpful, I really don't believe they are being dismissive or shaming. Personally, if I said that I'd simply be letting the poster know that I hope they find something/anything that is more helpful and healing than therapy.

But I think this is where some of the pain and anger comes about when the one's who support or see therapy as helpful vs. those who have been wounded and hurt by therapy clash. I truly believe a lot of supporters, after hearing the stories of pain that others have undergone in therapy, are truly wanting and encouraging others to seek other paths other than therapy. Simply because therapy has worked for me, I don't have the arrogance to believe that it will work for everyone. Can't you believe in the other side of the coin yourself? Therapy CAN BE helpful and healing for some. But the only people who can decide that are the one's who experience that for themselves. I have found myself hurt by statements made about people who experience therapy as helpful as delusional or fooling themselves. BUT I think both sides of the argument have come a long way. People are really trying, on both sides, to talk just about their own experience. Yeah, both sides slip up sometimes, but it happens on both sides and I truly don't believe that anyone is doing it to be shaming or hurtful.

I cant imagine someone whose doctor made their condition worse being told "medical care is not for everyone".

The therapy biz seems to be granted all sorts of special privileges and loopholes through which it can escape accountability and scrutiny.