[CDB940]

Is it ok for a therapist to call a patient " just a ****ing idiot "?

[here today]

Is it OK with you? Are you the patient?

It could depend. In the state I just moved from there was nothing specific in the code of ethics about what a therapist called a patient. If you are the patient and the therapist called you that, what was the effect on you?

If it is not OK with you, and you are the patient, then do you have some choice about who you see, or is it mandated by your insurance or a treatment program or something similar?

[sarahsweets]

Only if you are allowed to serve it right back at them.

[precaryous]

I don’t know about the ethical standards or code of conduct of different therapists.

I do feel this- the therapy room needs to be a safe place.

[ArtleyWilkins]

No. Not unless this is a usual and understood back and forth between client and therapist that is mutually acceptable (which seems really odd to me, but some people roll that way). My guess is you posted this because it is clearly not acceptable to you.

I doubt any ethics board would condone that kind of language and insult directly toward a patient. (I'm assuming it was directed AT the patient, not something said to perhaps an office worker or something - which is still inappropriate, but different in context.)