So neither of us had any idea the other was going so it's not on them and they didn't say hi but just their presence made me feel invaded and I now I I don't want to go to my next session. I felt anxious about it and had to run off both times during the interval so they didn't see me but I know they did. I told my friends at the time and they were being supportive and sharing experience of their own therapy and making light of it, which made me feel better but also makes me paranoid my T heard.
I kinda hope she mentions it because I really don't want to.

[coolibrarian]

Many years ago, I met my T in the theater...she was coming from the restrooms and I was on my way there. Talk about paranoid! I kept wondering if she had used the stall I was entering. No matter how much I tried to resist thinking this, it was all I could think about.

[Slater]

They're just human beings like everyone else.

They are just people. I doubt she was fussing over you being there. She probably saw you and then didnt think about it anymore. her mind would have been on the movie. try not to worry about it.

[WishfulThinker66]

Her mind would have been on her own time and who she was with.

[Misery Business]

My therapist is actually one person I actually feel safe with if I ever saw someone outside of the normal environment. I do understand though that is can be different though for everyone. The thing that you have to remember is when your Therapist was at home deciding what to do that evening and going to the movies that were not thinking of going there to invade your space. They were going there to watch a movie.

[Taylor27]

She is just like everyone else and i don't think she would of paid much attention to it. I sometimes run into my doctor, or therapist and unless i say hi they just walk on by like everyone else does. Hugs

[autonoe]

I ran into my therapist inside a store once. The store was near his office, but I still felt jolted when I turned the aisle corner and there he was. I didn't know what to say or if I should say anything, so I just nodded at him and kept walking. A little while later, he texted me about it, one of the only times he ever texted me about anything. Maybe he thought it upset me, but he only said that it was funny that we'd see each other there. And that was all that was ever said about it.

The point is that it's not a big deal for them. They have a lot of clients and the potential to bump into any of them in public. It feels awkward to us, but it's really not that bad. And it certainly wasn't intentional on your therapist's part. She may never mention it.

[nottrustin]

Typically Ts are not bothered by seeing clients and if they are then they would be doing out in public away from where their clients would be.

I would mention it to T and your reaction. I highly suspect she won't be surprised by it and she can help you process it all.

[ArtleyWilkins]

Not a big deal to your therapist. Probably happens with various clients from time to time.

[LonesomeTonight]

I'm sure I'd feel awkward about that as well. But my T said he runs into about a client a month while out and about. He says he's often busy doing whatever it is and might not notice the client unless they say hi or wave. (The client might tell him later that they saw him.) So it's possible she didn't notice you, even though you think she did. I'm not as concerned about running into just him, but if it was he and his wife and/or his son, I'd feel much more awkward. We only live about 10 minutes from each other, so I feel the chance of running into him is relatively high. Though hasn't happened (to my knowledge) in past year and a half, so maybe not? (I've so just jinxed myself here...)

[koru_kiwi]

well, seems like some Ts feel similar to the clients invading their space:

Clients showing up at my self care activities. Thoughts, advice, similar experiences? : psychotherapy

[Omers]

When I was in therapy with my first T a friend, her family and I went to see Goodwill Hunting... and ran into my T and her husband as we were leaving... unbeknownst to me my friend and her dad sang in the church choir with her and were excited to see her, immediately going over and saying hello! I HATED this T! I was mortified. Next session she wanted to talk about the movie hoping it would be something I could have a conversation with her about!

[WishfulThinker66]

I have run right into both my therapist and my psychiatrist while out and about in the community. It hasn't been so bad if I am on my own but it has been awkward if I haven't been. Will they 'out' me as a psych patient in front of my acquaintance. This is no different though than running into someone you know from the mental health community; say a former patient you know from the hospital, or a member of your support group, etc. All you do though and all your psychiatrist or therapist would do is simply acknowledge your presence. They would respect your privacy (each and every one of them is likely to do so as it is the professional thing to do). I know when I have bumped into mine and the person I was with asked about how I know them, I would simply say they were an acquaintance through a distant friend and leave it at that.

You need not fear raising the topic with your therapist. You would NOT be the first person they would have seen out in public now would they. So what you are feeling and experiencing is not unique. Telling them too how you felt uncomfortable would be a great springboard into opening the session up to discussing awkward feelings you might have in public in general.

Finally, what a great thing it is to be seen out and about and functioning despite your mental illness. This is a win to be celebrated.

[dlantern]

In very large, urban towns we put our heads down walking at times we are not in session. The therapist give us stickers to stay out of each others way. We can easily walk into to each other. Especially in China a place that I visited that suggested the same thing......Ask your therapist for distinctive mark so that the significant other caring side doesn't interfere with what is actually most appropriate to be. Transference will be discussed soon enough. So basically, when in doubt ask for a list of pro's and cons.