C- I regularly read this board (but rarely post) and deeply appreciate all of the insights from posters. Might even say this board has helped me more in my therapy journey than my own T, but that's another story..

Anyway, after reading your T's email I was stopped in my tracks. It literally made my heart race (in terror). I had to come on and comment (but I apologize in advance if this is not helpful to you). In my opinion, that email to you is classic gaslighting. However, he is EXTREMELY subtle and savvy in his delivery--that's the tricky part, and (in my view) it exposes his deep, entrenched, and well cultivated skills at deflecting responsibility and scapegoating his "emotionally unstable" clients.

This article reminds us that it is probably very common among therapists...and that the good ones will recognize it quickly (or even before it happens) and do their own work in order to minimize re-traumatizing and/or straight up emotionally abusing their clients.

#034 - Gaslighting your clients: Just stop! — Karolina Walsh Psychotherapy