Could therapy be harmful

If it were any relationship other than a therapist-client, where the client is assumed to be the "deficient" one by virtue of why we are coming to therapy, wouldn't you say this type of behavior is denial?

Ratings research shows people talk about whatever experience they feel strongly about--whether negative or positive.

I realize this forum isn't like like Yelp, but see, for example, most ratings by Yelp are positive 68%, so people come to that site most often to say positive things about their experiences. It's suspected that 20% are fake--but that goes both positive and negative as companies go to their competitors site to give them poor ratings.

https://www.yelp.com/factsheet

Who knows. I come here in part when I'm having a hard time, so I guess sometimes to distract myself when I'm procrastinating and have to do something I don't want to do. Other times, I come here to help cope, or just because I can't sleep and want to talk with a great group of people about an interesting subject. So I guess I don't come here to talk about either positive or negative experiences. Just come here to talk.

But . . .assuming that is accurate, he obviously wasn't able to "help" you with that, was he? Why isn't the burden on him about that, then? The licensing boards apparently don't get that, though. Which is why I think there needs to be some sort of consumer/client protection presence in the process somehow. Don't know exactly how though, and there obviously is bound to be a lot of resistance.

Good question. I would do it (if I could afford it) but only if it was manageable with work. I don't go along with the thinking it is for financial benefit when it comes to analytic therapy. Like you, I have preverbal trauma; I think 4 times a week would be helpful for me and would do it if I could.

The reason I'd do it is multiple. I know several analysts who did at least 5 years of therapy at least 4 days a week before they were done working through. One did 6 days a week, and some did more than 5 years. But using a conservative estimate, going for 5 years 4 days a week, translated to once a week is 20 years!! That's a conservative time comparison. Five times a week for 7 years, not an unusual time for those in psychoanlytic training equates to 35 years! Psychodynamic therapy is not meant to be that way.

That's how it was intended to work when using transference as a tool, and that's what's been making me wonder about doing this type of depth work and it dragging it on. It's meant to be intense, and rather permanent, so when you are finished you are finished and living your life rather than thinking about therapy.

I think more frequent sessions would contain things in the therapy much better, so a person wouldn't have to deal with the distress and obsessive thinking, etc, outside of the therapy consulting room between sessions. At least for some of us who need that closeness because of our unmet attachment stuff.

The therapist was purporting to mind read. Apparently the grievance board bought that.

My connection to reality was never a problem until I criticized the therapist.

This should so be a red flag, and so sorry this happened to you. Also grateful you have spoken out and continue to.

I understand it's common for therapists to label accusing clients, though the client never showed "psychosis" prior to complaining. That's one reason why it's so difficult to file or win a complaint--the therapist has the tools to negate and invalidate. I learned the hard way how readily my...ahem... caring therapist would throw me under the bus.

hey...i thought the resistance was suppose to be our job!

I realise that my views are misconstrued as a little too left at times, but I would not be comfortable putting all my eggs in one basket.
Let me explain. You are relying on the help of one person to solve your life's problems. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that there is a big risk in entering therapy. I have been trying to piece myself together for five years now. When i was put forth for psychotherapy i was told, it would take at least a year. I contacted a counsellor and i told them what i could, and found i wasn't ready to talk. There are plenty more fish in the sea and a therapist who tries to assure you there is no risks, alarm bells should start to ring

I wish I was warned about the therapist I was seeing. It has been a terrible experience. If I want someone to use and abuse me, I don't need to pay for it.

It can indeed be harmful. I didn't want someone to use and abuse me and I didn't want to pay for that