[Favorite Jeans]

A friend recently went to see a therapist for the first time and commented that he didn't think he'd be going back. One of the top reasons he listed for not wanting to see that T again was that she smokes. My initial reaction was that he was being ridiculous, he was looking for excuses, everyone's human, no one's perfect etc.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that my T would lose a lot of her standing with me if she smoked. I wouldn't feel like she had it together. I would have a harder time hearing her tell me to prioritize my wellbeing for example. Would or do you care?

Unless they smoke in the room during the session I couldn't care less. We are all human, we all have our vices.

[Argonautomobile]

God, I miss smoking.

[atisketatasket]

So long as they were not blowing smoke in my face during session (literally, they do it figuratively already) or seeing if they could blow smoke rings while I unburdened myself or their office didn’t absolutely reek of smoke, I don’t think so.

I’ve never smoked or been tempted to, so I don’t understand the attraction, but I think smokers can do as they like so long as I don’t have to deal with it.

[awkwardlyyours]

No, I really don't care.

I have no idea if a therapist I see exercises or eats healthy or even takes care of themselves in other ways (appearance alone would tell little).

I should also say that I think smoking is a lot more stigmatized than a lot of other awful stuff and so, ends up being seen in a rather (unfairly) biased way.

[stopdog]

I used to smoke but stopped because it started giving me headaches. I don't see smoking by anyone as a sign of moral degeneracy or personal failure any more than I see not smoking as a sign of decency and righteousness. Smoke or don't smoke - it makes no difference to me.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by Argonautomobile

God, I miss smoking.

Me too.....

[Elio]

As long as I didn't smell it, I wouldn't care; however, I usually can smell it and I am sensitive to it. (my sinuses swell and I can't breath)

[SoConfused623]

I wouldn't care at all unless she smelled like smoke and then I wouldn't want to go back. I hate the smell of cigarette smoke.

[feralkittymom]

It would give me pause. I would wonder if he/she were in denial and/or addicted. And I'm super sensitive and allergic to smoke, so any trace of it--and I'm sure there would be--would be too difficult for me to put up with.

[Salmon77]

I wouldn't care at all. I don't see smoking as a big failure or a sign that a person doesn't take care of themself. In any case a T doesn't have to be a perfect person to be helpful.

[AllHeart]

It would depend on how hygienic they were with it, and how obsessed (or not obsessed) they were with it. If I could smell the smoke on the t, I couldn't handle it. My snout is too sensitive. If at the end of every session they were buggin' to rush out of the office to go smoke, I'd be totally annoyed.

I would not care if a T smoked, but I'd care if my T smoked, because she thinks smoking is a form of self harm.

I never imagined my T smoked. When it came up and I found out she I've did once smoke, it took me back a bit.
It was many yrs ago.
It helped open my mind a bit more. Instead of having an absolute right or wrong type of thinking go on.

[Myrto]

A therapist´s health is of no concern to me. As long as their office doesn’t reek of cigarette smoke, I couldn’t care less. I wouldn’t see it as being human or as a moral failure on the therapist’s part since I don’t look up to them.
If it has no impact on my life, I don’t care.

On the other hand I hate people who smoke at cafés (it used to be the case in restaurants, bars and clubs as well) because I get the smell of cigarettes in my face/in my food. Ugh.
I wouldn’t date a smoker for instance, it’d be a deal-breaker for me.

[ChickenNoodleSoup]

I would care, but I'm not sure whether I'd stop seeing them because of it.

I'd care for two reasons. First off, smoke smells if one smokes during breaks and similar. It sticks to your cloths, to your hair, everything. And I really, really don't like the smell.

Second, I worry enough as is about being abandoned because my T gets sick/dies. And he's perfectly healthy (he claims). Smoking increases your risk of getting sick so much, I don't think I could deal with it...

[lucozader]

I smoked for twelve years, my partner smokes and many of my friends smoke. It wouldn't bother me. Although somehow I can't picture it.

[junkDNA]

No I don't think so

I made a post a year or so ago about severely obese therapists. But it got deleted by the mods????

[nottrustin]

I would only care if I could smell it. I am very sensitive to the smell and I hate it. I tried a cigarette once it haste it. T considers herself on break. She hasn't smoke for about 20 years. She stopped o my because of health reasons. If she found out tomorrow she had a terminal illness with no hope she would start smoking again.

[nicoleflynn]

What a t does in his private life is of no concern to me.

[Fernwehxx]

I wouldn't like the smell... That'd get annoying. Aside from that, it might be a little wird yet I think theyre just people too, with faults and problems, and I don't expect a saint who has it all together always...

[UnderRugSwept]

Originally Posted by SoConfused623

I wouldn't care at all unless she smelled like smoke and then I wouldn't want to go back. I hate the smell of cigarette smoke.

This.

More letters.

[stopdog]

I would be a lot more put off to find the therapist slept with stuffed animals, or collected precious moments figurines, or listened to Yanni.

[doogie]

My last T smoked. I stayed with her, but it was challenging for me at first because cigarette smoke is a trigger for me. My father smoked and he is responsible for my trauma. We worked together to help me 'unlearn' the smoke trigger. Not for her sake, necessarily, but because smoke is everywhere and it was always a trigger. I can be around it now and it doesn't bother me as much.

Doogie

[Trippin2.0]

I don’t judge people based on whether they smoke or not.

Can’t see what it has to do me in any way shape or form.

So no, it wouldn’t bug me