Gabyunbound, that's great that both your tdoc and pdoc listen and provide therapy, even if the pdoc does more casually. My old pdoc was sort of a supplemental therapist for me. Actually, more of a dad figure.

What most inspired me to respond is that I can relate to your relationship with your brother. My brother can get scary sometimes, too. And for no good reason, many times. I think my brother has his own mental health issues and his experiences in life didn't do him all that good. My sister and I can only really discuss superficial things with him. Once any topic gets even slightly political, he gets scary. Unfortunately, he watches and participates in far right stuff. It's way too angry, way too discriminatory, and very often based on falsities and conspiracy theories. My brother has also had a lifetime tendency to tell lies and exaggerations. The worst part is that he even believes some of his own lies and stands behind his own odd contradictions. It's sad that he doesn't even seem to realize that others know what's going on. That he lies and bullBLANKS. It's sad that he thinks others, particularly women, are too naive/stupid to know the difference. He's always thought himself superior (maybe like a narcissist of sorts, like you say your brother is). Truth is, my brother is smart in many ways, but not all. And not educated sufficiently, in many. My bro spent far too many years underwater in a submarine to really understand certain crucial things about life and people of the world. I keep a certain distance from him. Being across the ocean helps.