I am new here too but felt moved to weigh in. I had a terribly abusive and manipulative therapist who took me down a dark path. This person was far sicker than i ever was andhas a serious personality disorder. The story is similiar to what others have experienced. It still pains me even after allthese years - and honestly, it always will. Having said that, i now also have a very good one. I think people become therapists with good intentions, although some are misguided and/or very sik themselves. The pain of being betrayed is beyond belief. But, that betrayal perpetrated is not special to some therapists. It happens often, whether it be teachers, doctors, pastors etc. People in authority are entrusted with others care - people who are vulnerable. Betrayal is, unfortunately more
common than we realize. Its not special to therapy. Its just special to us.