T not knowing

Hi. This is very very hard for me to ask but I feel like I need to know to put this behind me. I'm in therapy now, and my t now and I think my last t was very harmful. Can this happen? I don't think he knew what he was doing. My t now listens to me and doesn't push me to do things I just can't. I'm not sure how much more to say. I'm very unsure of myself right now. Thanks

Hi,

I think that it can absolutely be the case that participating in therapy can be harmful. Therapy is, of course, intended to be beneficial, but like most treatments for issues relating to mental health, participating in therapy has risks, and even therapy that's mostly beneficial can affect those receiving the therapy in negative ways some of the time. Much of what I've read about therapy from various psychologists suggests that one of the most crucial predictors of how helpful therapy will be is the relationship that the therapist has with his or her client. Making sure that therapy clients receive the form or forms of therapy that are best for them and for any mental health problems that they might be experiencing is also important, but a lot of experts seem to suggest that a "good fit" between a client and his or her therapist is more important than anything else. If the fit between a client and his or her therapist isn't good, then not only can that reduce the likelihood of therapy being helpful, but that can also increase the chances of therapy affecting the client in a harmful way, even if that's not what the therapist intends.

At any rate, I think it's good that you and your current therapist have come to acknowledge that some things that your previous therapist did were likely affecting you in harmful ways, and I hope that you'll find your experience with your current therapist to be better than what you experienced with your last therapist (to say the least).

Its a difficult place for T's when they think a person SHOULD be ready to do work the patient doesnt feel like they are ready to do. Sometimes they hope that pushing might MOTIVATE but in most cases it only tends to do the opposite.

I had a T that did NOTHING but sit & listen & provided absolutely NO help. Did no harm other than waste my time & money which i only realized after I moved away & now have the best of the best.

I just brush off the past as being just what it was & try not to hold onto hurt. There are times I would love to call him up & say....wow this is how far off you were on NOT figuring out what was actually going on wuth me, my marriage, & even my ex H (who may still be seeing him)

Hi BlueAngel,

Yes, it happens more often than people realize.
You can post about your experience as you feel ready.

I was exploited by my psychiatrist several years ago. I have had a new therapist for the last three years and she is helping me with it.

Just want you to know, if you have been exploited and/or assaulted by a mental health professional, you are not alone. I have been in contact with dozens of people who have been harmed by therapy.