I agree. I think therapists shouldn't be allowed to behave this way. But they do. Often.

In DBT, there are many clients who "fail" treatment. The funny thing about this is the only one failing is the modality and the therapist. A patient who seeks help is making a courageous choice. They cannot fail therapy. If a therapist chooses to expose a client to their trauma intentionally (even if it is for the right reasons) and the client's health declines as a result; it is entirely the fault of the therapist and the treatment. Going too far is a result of incompetence or malice - which the therapist is entirely at fault for. They know what trauma is. They are trained in it. For them to expect a client NOT to worsen or react negatively to exposure therapy is embarrassing to their profession. They know very well that retraumatization is possible.

Unfortunately clients who "fail" DBT are often labelled something they are not. Also common is to label such clients as, "treatment resistant," which is absolute hogwash. If a client reacts strongly to exposure therapy it is a result of trauma and unsafe therapeutic dynamics.

I suppose this is why so many clients become stuck after being harmed by the profession.

Thanks,
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