Therapists and apologies

In my opinion, from my experience, I am vehemently in support of validation as a technique in my therapy.

Validation is acknowledging and/or accepting that a persons feelings, thoughts, and internal experiences are real; valid. Validation does not mean praise, it does not mean you have to agree with what the person is feeling or thinking or doing. It does mean that you must accept that what another person is going through is a very real experience for them.

I don't see being validated as my T taking things easy on me, or just telling me what I want to hear. I see it as healing my soul, as him teaching me that my inner experience is real. I work hard, and my therapy is excruciating at times.

I am respectful that others may have another way of doing therapy that helps them. I would love to see everybody heal.

Button, I am so glad that you believe in yourself I am also glad that you are advocating for yourself, now that's progress!

Peace to all.

I agree with you about validation in therapy. And you're clearly working very hard and healing

Well said Antimatter, especially the wanting everyone to heal part

I once had a therapist admit to me that most people in his profession are narcissists. Based on my experience I would definitely say there is some truth to that. I believe that it often clouds their judgement and it can easily result in them doing more harm than good. I have always been a proponent of mental health counseling but I've had several experiences that were enormously destructive. As much as I hate to say it at this point I would tell most people to avoid therapy unless it is absolutely necessary. The risk of encountering a bad therapist and the damage they can do is just too great. I would also say the same about any medications unless they are prescribed by a knowledgeable psychiatrist under close supervision. Even general practitioners can be reckless when prescribing this kind of medication.