7 Signs That Your Therapist Sucks

 I started therapy a couple weeks ago and already I know it is NOT a good fit. It is extremely important that you find a therapist that works for you or guess what? It's just not going to work! Although these apply to male and female therapists, mine is a woman so I will be referring to her as such in this post. So here are some tells that it's time to break up with your therapist and move on to better psychological pastures.

1. She does not go over her legal responsibilities and your legal rights when it comes to privacy ect. (I learned to do this in my first day of class.  It's Ethics 101!)

2. She immediately begins diagnosing every person in your life that you talk about. 
It was unbelievable that she had the ability to diagnose everyone that I know with a mental illness within a few sentences. Apparently everyone I know is crazy.

3. She talks more than you do during a session.
I don't know about you but when I'm paying to come and talk to someone I expect to do most of the talking. Feedback is great but I should be able to finish a thought before someone jumps in and tells me how I feel.

4. She one ups you.
Now there is nothing wrong with a situational anecdote here and there to make the client feel like the therapist can identify. But when every story you tell her is followed with her own heart wrenching experience you start to wonder who the therapist is in the situation.

5. She passes judgement.
A therapist is supposed to view you with unconditional positive regard. I had a rather rough day on Monday and ended up being in a situation where I had to let Arya cry it out. For those of you who know me, you know that I am more of an "attachment parenting" type of person. I felt extremely guilty about the whole situation and was looking for understanding from the woman I'm literally paying to be understanding. But instead I got a lecture about all of the negative effects I'm having on my child. NOT HELPFUL LADY.

6. She pushes drugs.
Now there is nothing wrong with medication to treat psychological disorders. Hell I'm on an anti-depressant. But your therapist should not scoff at certain medications and promote others. I can see right through you. I am not an idiot. I know that you are being paid off by pharmaceutical reps, but please keep my best interests in mind and DO NOT act like you are an expert when it comes to prescription drugs. You are NOT a medical doctor!

7. She gives advice and/or coerces you. 
A therapist is supposed to guide you through your journey  to newfound understanding and a better quality of life. She is NOT supposed to take the reins. If your therapist is telling you what you need to do, something is wrong. Especially when you have absolutely no established trust and when your client is telling you they don't want to take said advice. You know that it's over.

"Now that's a deal breaker" -- Elizabeth Lemon