Some of us might need to think about this in advance and discuss it with our therapist. Thanks for this thread/reminder.

About a year ago, a friend of mine invited H and I to a play with her husband. At the time, my shame was still extremely deep about having attempted suicide in 2015. I felt like if anyone in public knew my secret I would be rejected. When I saw my former H at that play, it caused me a lot of distress. Rather than being present in the moment by enjoying the play and my friend's company, I began compulsively thinking about if she saw and acknowledged me--I would die of shame because all the friends she was with would know I was a patient. I was embarrassed about being in therapy. Seeing my T that night caught me by surprise (I don't think she saw me and I didn't bring up seeing her in therapy). I was still depressed or maybe it was anxiety and there she was happy and having a good time with her friends--seeing her reminded me of all the mental pain I was still in back then. It was an unpleasant reminder that I was not well.

I think I would expect my current T to acknowledge me but my past experience proves that if a T does not acknowledge you in a public situation, maybe there is a healthy explanation for it. I am no longer embarrassed about being in therapy. I have brought it up once or twice in one on one conversations with friends and acquaintences but think my attempt would be a too jarring of a conversational topic.....