I have run right into both my therapist and my psychiatrist while out and about in the community. It hasn't been so bad if I am on my own but it has been awkward if I haven't been. Will they 'out' me as a psych patient in front of my acquaintance. This is no different though than running into someone you know from the mental health community; say a former patient you know from the hospital, or a member of your support group, etc. All you do though and all your psychiatrist or therapist would do is simply acknowledge your presence. They would respect your privacy (each and every one of them is likely to do so as it is the professional thing to do). I know when I have bumped into mine and the person I was with asked about how I know them, I would simply say they were an acquaintance through a distant friend and leave it at that.

You need not fear raising the topic with your therapist. You would NOT be the first person they would have seen out in public now would they. So what you are feeling and experiencing is not unique. Telling them too how you felt uncomfortable would be a great springboard into opening the session up to discussing awkward feelings you might have in public in general.

Finally, what a great thing it is to be seen out and about and functioning despite your mental illness. This is a win to be celebrated.