[CantExplain]

I suspect that in practice, most Ts dress to please themselves.

But in principle, should a T dress to reassure the patient or to challenge him?

[DP_2017]

They should dress how they are comfortable, as should the client

[susannahsays]

Hmm. Neither, I don't think. If by "reassure," you mean that they don't do anything distracting or shocking, then I guess I agree with that. I don't think it would be appropriate for a therapist to use their wardrobe to challenge their clients. I'm not even sure what you mean by that, but nothing I'm coming up with is good.

[stopdog]

I really never noticed much about how the therapists I hired were dressed. I like to think I would have noticed if they were not dressed but that is really about it for me. I would not say I am comforted or challenged by how any one else dresses. I would suppose if they were after high rent clients -they would dress up and if they were earthy hippy types they might wear beads and gauzy type stuff. But I really don't care how they dress.

They should dress how they are comfortable and enjoy.

[GeekyOne]

In clean clothing that is professional. Whether that's (clean, undamaged) jeans and t-shirts or a suit is not important. What's important is that it fades away.

If the T is dressing for work in a manner to attract attention, there's a problem.

Personally, I would be uncomfortable with a T who dressed very formally (e.g. jacket and tie). I am an engineer; I dress very casually for work (where I come from before therapy) in generally jeans or chinos and a (plain) t-shirt or polo. I want a T who feels relaxed and comfortable, which precludes very formal clothing (in my mind). However, I wouldn't fault them for that - it's just a style that doesn't work for me.

I don't care if T wears her PJs as long as she's there for my appointments.

[koru_kiwi]

i've always wondered if this is it just me, but have you ever noticed how T's seem to wear scarfs a lot?

both my Ts ( one male and the other female) seemed to like to accessorise their outfits with a stylish scarf of some sort. not sure if that was too challenge my own beliefs about my sense (lack) of style or to reassure me that they would remain toasty warm in our session

[CantExplain]

Originally Posted by koru_kiwi

i've always wondered if this is it just me, but have you ever noticed how T's seem to wear scarfs a lot?

both my Ts ( one male and the other female) seemed to like to accessorise their outfits with a stylish scarf of some sort. not sure if that was too challenge my own beliefs about my sense (lack) of style or to reassure me that they would remain toasty warm in our session

Um... No, I don't think I've ever seen a T in a scarf.

[susannahsays]

Yeah, I've definitely noticed the therapist scarf trend.

[Salmon77]

Comfortable but professional, so maybe business casual or nice casual, I think. It probably doesn't matter much unless it's stinky or has political slogans or something.

Mine usually wears jeans and a button-down shirt or a sweater. He wears a scarf sometimes but his office gets cold so it's reasonable.

[HD7970GHZ]

Originally Posted by CantExplain

I suspect that in practice, most Ts dress to please themselves.

But in principle, should a T dress to reassure the patient or to challenge him?

Hello CantExplain,

Interesting thread!

I think a therapist should dress appropriately for the therapeutic setting; as in - nothing that will inadvertently trigger clients. I like this thread because I have taken very close attention to how therapists have dressed in my treatment. I particularly like when therapists wear pastel colors - it is easy on my eyes and elicits a sense of comfort and safety. I also like when therapists wear long cardigan style clothes that remind me of blankets - another source of comfort for many of us. It is Maternal and elicits and matches a yearning for a maternal bond that is so commonly found in effective therapy, like that of an ideal parent figure.

As far as if they should challenge us - I don't think their clothes need to do this. I think clothing is sexualized so much in society that it would be inappropriate for a therapist to wear something intentionally to challenge us. There are many other ways a therapist can challenge us.

Thanks,
HD7970ghz

[susannahsays]

@HD7970GHZ Funny that you mention sexualization, that was actually my first thought, too, when I tried to think of a "challenging" outfit choice. I wonder why that is.

I don't usually support dressing for other people, but in the case of therapists, they might want to avoid anything too distracting or wearing heavy fragrances.

Regarding dressing to reassure or challenge someone-I've never heard of that but am curious where in the world that comes from.

[ChickenNoodleSoup]

Clothing that either changes too much from day to day or is too 'busy' (bright colors, lots of colors, weird patterns) distracts me. It doesn't have to be the same boring thing every day like what my T chooses to wear, but it should look relaxed, yet professional and not be distracting.

[Quarter life]

I don't care for clothing that makes noise...on myself or others.

[piggy momma]

My T usually dresses up, and I actually would prefer if he didn't haha. I like casual - I'm always in leggings and a hoodie and he's always dressed up. Last T always wore jeans and a t-shirt. I prefer the casual look but that's just me.

[Anne2.0]

My T dresses casually but not sloppily or unprofessional. I don't actually know what he wears, except in the winter he wears a fleece vest over his shirt. I think he always wears long sleeves but I could be wrong. In my dreams he has appeared riding a motorcycle, with long blond hair and tatooed arms. I told him this once and he said he used to drive a motorcycle during his anti-Vietnam war times. He did not say whether his arms were tatooed.

I dress more casually and on purpose when I do certain kinds of legal work. Suit in court, of course, but when visiting incarcerated people, I think overdressing, especially with jewelry and fancy clothes (not that I really have much) is inappropriate. I dress professionally enough so the jail staff aren't put off, but casually enough so there is less distance between myself and the person wearing prison scrubs and plastic shoes.

[nottrustin]

I think it should be a combination of things. I think business casual has such a wide spectrum of options so I think a T should be dressed business casual in a way that is comfortable to them. I also think it is okay to dress in a way that reflects the comfort of their clients. I worked with a psych np who was very casual and used profanity. She is not somebody I would see because I would be uncomfortable. She had a lot of clients who adored her because she was on their level. They never felt judged.

[SlumberKitty]

I think business casual is my preference for the way T's dress. My former T pretty much hit the mark but would occasionally wear neon green or something and it was startling to me in therapy. I would be distracted by what she was wearing. Current T tends to wear leggings and dresses/long shirts. I'm not bothered by it. I'm fascinated when she wears black flowers in her hair. I wonder what the significance is....HUGS Kit

[Lemoncake]

Therapy is work and I think they should dress appropriately, but do what they want in their down time. If it was a woman, I wouldn't want to see excess cleavage and skin. Same with a man- no ripped jeans/ shorts etc.

I like R's semi formal style. He always wears a shirt with or without a jumper, and never jeans. I've seen him dress down in his wife's photos on facebook, and that was like a woah moment.

I have two wardrobes. One formal dresses, skirts. Stuff that would be okay at an interview/ a hospital ward. I wouldn't be able to take him seriously if he wore slogan/band/battlestar galactica T shirts and sweatpants - oh wait that's scruffy me.

[weaverbeaver]

Originally Posted by koru_kiwi

i've always wondered if this is it just me, but have you ever noticed how T's seem to wear scarfs a lot?


both my Ts ( one male and the other female) seemed to like to accessorise their outfits with a stylish scarf of some sort. not sure if that was too challenge my own beliefs about my sense (lack) of style or to reassure me that they would remain toasty warm in our session

Yes I have noticed this too- the scarf brigade

[Salmon77]

Maybe they spray scent on their scarves so they can subtly protect their noses when clients fart.

[weaverbeaver]

Originally Posted by Salmon77

Maybe they spray scent on their scarves so they can subtly protect their noses when clients fart.

or to hide the smell when they fart or shart

[susannahsays]

I certainly hope they aren't sharting.