Are The Majority Of Therapists Crazy?

[Bafof]

He saved my life. Several times. His pay is now completely irrelevant to me.

Did anybody notice the word "majority" in the title of this post?

I never complained that therapists like this do not exist in the world, but rather that they are not the norm. Here's the kicker, though -- they sure as shit should be the norm, considering the three-figure-per-hour rates that are customary, among other things.

Questioning the human that you give that much power to is also valid.

You used the words SHAME ON YOU for questioning that? Wow.

Critical thinking? Shame on you!

 

[Ezeba]

That does not give you the right to sing the praises of your good fortune by shaming people who haven't had that experience

Okay, I'm not allowed to call shame on some of the opinions here, but it's cool for to write off a profession with hateful incredulous language because...

I didn't put my name on my post so you could make this personal attack. I put ot there because I stand by what I posted. You make yourself the fly on the wall of the average T's office, you're telling me that I'm going to see someone manipulating and distressing their client deliberately? That that's the MO for the "majority"? That's rubbish. Apart from how it is that the OP managing to mind read the T's motives for their choice of profession, that kind of rubbish is so destructive in a forum like this. How many people come here every day needing help? We direct them, quite correctly, to reach out to a T because they can help. Many have no one else to reach out to, and there's a pretty big proportion of us who literally need our T to keep us alive. Spreading rubbish like some of the content of this thread does nothing but undermine our hope, our belief that we can rely on this profession to change our lives for the better, and deter people from seeking the help they need. IMO, that's shameful.

I have not, at any time, said there aren't bad apples, or ignore any signs that your T is deranged. There are bad apples, and the consequences can be profound. But "the majority"? Sorry, the majority are people who go to work to save lives.

I think that makes my opinion on the matter pretty clear.

Ragdoll Circus

 

[Loge]

saves peoples lives

They don't all save lives, some have driven patients into worse depression and suicide. I still think it's a pile of bull and they're getting paid way too much.

 

[Bafof]

They don't all save lives, some have driven patients into worse Depression and Suicide. I still think it's a pile of bull and they're getting paid way too much.

Yes.

And @Ragdoll Circus, it's a bigger assist to desperate PTSD sufferers to let them know up front what they are in for than to send them out with blind faith like a lamb to the wolves.

 

[Ojibe]

Is it crazy to be paid to sit, listen and pretend to care? Nope. It's downright scandalous and manipulative. Yes I wrote pretend, because that's what they're doing, at the end of the day, it's just. a. job.

I learned this the hard way.

 

[Ifesed]

People generally have a bit of a head about them, and if your T is just plain deranged, then walk away. There are some bad experiences are their, which is a tragedy. But it is the vast (vast) minority. T's are not "wolves", not the majority. That line of thought has ptsd-brain written all over it.

So when someone comes here looking for help, and we suggest reaching out to a T, we leave it at that. No special "wolves" radar required- they're the same as the rest of humanity. Some are evil, most aren't.

But telling someone who needs help, "Reach out for a T, but watch yourself because the majority are wolves/deranged", actually pretty counter-productive.

When I suggest someone reach out to a T, I give them the benefit of the doubt that they grew up on planet earth. No special "Wolves Warning" required.

 

[Omeme]

Okay, I'm not allowed to call shame on some of the opinions here, but it's cool for to write off a profession with hatef...

This is Coco9 Ragdoll Circus, you know that and very few people who have seen my posts have trouble recognizing me on the anonymous forum.

I certainly did not make any personal attack. I'm sorry you felt it was personal and are obviously upset.

I also made it very clear that people are right to consider the power they have, the money they charge, if you pay privately,
and most importantly, remind yourself they are human and use good judgement.

At no time in any of my posts here did I say that the "majority are deranged."

I never said " the majority deliberately distress and manipulate their clients"

I did say that I believe that people need to use common sense when they are dealing with a therapist that they instinctively feel is not balanced themselves in some way.

If you can find a room with 20 T's in it and 75% wont admit that they went into the profession to work out their own problems then I' ll be shocked.

That doesnt mean they aren't good either, some of those are actually the best.

I cant imagine why humanizing these people and having an open discussion about the frustration over uncovered counseling fees would be such a hot spot to touch for some of you.

When the hell did I say I was a fly on the wall
in therapists offices worldwide ?

You came across like questioning a therapist and the fees involved for the uninsured was sacrilegious - it is valid.

I said, and please scroll up to look

" most of them are good, a few are great".

I also said I felt my life was saved by a some of them.

You are accusing me of making a sweeping generalization that all therapists are crazy and manipulative when the evidence that I did not say that is posted right above your comment.

I get that you dont like my point of view on this, but so far you have shamed posters by disagreeing with you, dismissively apologized for that like it was no big deal, then used misleading language to attach a harmful and judgmental opinion to me that does not, in fact , represent what I was saying.

Now it is I that feels attacked in a totally unwarranted way, Ragdoll.

 

[Atof]

Coco - didn't know it was you, wasn't actually aware it was just one person replying. The personal attack comment was because I felt like it was starting to go there, but it's all good.

The original OP, when clarifying what they meant by "crazy", painted a picture of a malicious sociopathic T, deliberately choosing this profession for no other reason than to distress patients (and worse). To me, that sounds pretty deranged.

Thing is, I know those T's are out there. I thank my lucky stars I've never encountered one. But they are the minority. Thankfully most T professions have registration organisations that we can report them to these days.

But the premise of this thread is, "Is it the majority?" The answer to that, when considering the specific type of "crazy" that the OP defined, is clearly No. People like that are unlikely to be the majority in any regulated profession.

There is a thread about worst therapist experiences which I read. And it's cool, because people are putting it out there that there are bad apples. And it pays to know about risks.

But I do quite honestly think it is shameful to suggest that the "majority" (key word) are of the sociopathic ilk defined by the OP. It's incorrect, and on a forum full of people needing to connect with T's to preserve (or establish) quality of life (even in a paltry sense), and in frequently people feeling suicidal, pushing the line that the majority of those that we Need to help us are that deranged?

There are some monstrous examples of T's, for sure. But to say they're the majority is wrong, and scare-mongering in a place, and amongst an audience, where it could do a lot of damage.

Again, didn't know it was you. And hey, I actually am really stoked at the info you gave Lost, because she's really awesome and life has been shite for her lately, but there's not much info I can ever offer!!

 

[Igal]

Coco - didn't know it was you, wasn't actually aware it was just one person replying. The personal attack comment was be...

Thank you Ragdoll Circus for the clarification.

I really do appreciate that a lot.

We are all just trying to be okay, and we all know that simple accomplishment can be so hard for us here.

We all need a good T! it is hard to find one that works for you, that you can afford to pay or is in your insurance plan. I think that's why this thread started, its depressing and scary for many people here.

Thank you for the forum high five on lostforgottensoul's dilemma.

No worries mate , its all good. :D

 

[Bafof]

But I do quite honestly think it is shameful to suggest that the "majority" (key word) are of the sociopathic ilk defined by the OP.

Actually I asked if the majority are crazy in some way or another -- heaven knows there are many, many ways to fill that description. I was just outlining the sort of crazy I've encountered personally.

The personal attack comment was because I felt like it was starting to go there, but it's all good.

I feel it should be clear to everyone on an anonymous forum where your "person" consist of a goofy made-up name and a tiny thumbnail pic of a golden retriever or sunset -- there aren't any "personal" attacks. Not really. They are attacking the words they see on their computer screen. I for one don't feel attacked by strong opinions, and I give as good as I get. So viva la difference.

 

[Ecima]

it is hard to find one that works for you,

Man do we ever at least agree on this point!!

You're pretty awesome Coco. We've disagreed a few times now on different issues, but I really do appreciate your 2 bob when you throw your hat in:)

 

[Ikaka]

It's true the requirements for being a counsellor can be really low - and still some not so highly educated counsellors are amazing - and some are not.
And yes, of course they are human beings and suffer like the rest of us!
We are all the same animal and no one is immune from the human weaknesses we all have. Some people try harder, that's all.
I have great admiration for anyone who puts their hand up to try to help these days. The world is in a huge mess. We need people who want to help!!
If I ever get better, I want to try to help too!! I might fail, but I want to try...
It's easy to criticise, harder to come up with actual solutions