My Support Forums - View Single Post - Do you have the right to know certain things about your Therapist

stopdog · Apr 24, 2022 at 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTerroni

I would say that is true (she is legally blind), another thing I didn't find out until the very end but apparently she is Pansexual.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliviab

One thing I wanted to clarify about my earlier post...I don't think therapists HAVE to reveal personal details of their lives, other than those that directly impact therapy, but I DO think I have a right not to work with therapists who won't disclose certain things when asked (like religion, political leanings). I have no desire to work with a "blank slate" therapist and appreciate those that will show up more real and human in the relationship. I also appreciate those who are willing to equalize power as much as possible, and self-disclosure (especially when asked, and especially of identities and cultural dimensions) is one important way to do that.

So, I don't think therapists are obliged to share things other than those that directly impact therapy, but neither am I obliged to simply accept that and continue working with them if they won't.

The power is not in knowing facts about someone -in my opinion. Clients have just as much power - you hire them - you pay them -you can quit at any time. I didn't like or care about the ones I hired all that much -they told me more about themselves than I ever cared about. I certainly agree that a client should not hire one who does not work in the way the client wants -or fire that therapist and hire another -they are a dime a dozen and completely replaceable.