I think the moment a therapist answers a personal question about themselves, that’s the moment the therapy becomes derailed and about the T and not about the client. The therapist’s goal is always going to be to keep the therapy centered on the client especially since payment is involved.

If anyone has ever tried Blah Therapy and signed on as the listener (as opposed to the venter) because they truly wanted to help a person in need by providing a listening ear, then surely they have come across venters who intrude with personal questions for the listener. It can feel quite hurtful to the listener who has a different agenda. Trying Blah Therapy as a listener, I think, is a great way to see some of what a T experiences. It’s a chance to see things from a T’s perspective.

I think that’s the art of psychotherapy...knowing which questions to answer and when...it’s probably a judgment call...and T’s make mistakes. No doubt about it.