Sure, I get that a medical exam involves one-way exposure and unusual boundary dynamics. And so does therapy. But I think the similarities mostly end there. Therapy is a whole other thing, with very specific and (in my view) sketchy rules of engagement. And to my original point, loads of hypocrisy in their talk about boundaries (some are sacred, others are just knocked over).

Also I personally have found interactions with mainstream doctors to be almost universally unhealthy, lot of infantilizing patriarchal stuff, and too many other things to list. I would not hold out doctor-patient as a justification for the existence of therapist-client, or vice versa.

I'm actually not talking about whether good/bad therapists can be helpful. Was simply pointing out that therapists claim impeccable boundaries, but in reality they push a number of boundaries in what I find to be creepy and questionable ways.

I asked about the hurting thing because usually when a therapy consumer expresses criticism or discontent, it's presumed to arise from emotional distress and confusion, instead of well-reasoned examination. It's a built-in deflection to keep eyes off the sketchy stuff. So I tend to ask about this. No worries.