Worst Therapist Story

[Mafia_Science]

I only went to a therapist once and never went again because my full grown dude therapist got way too emotional multiple times throughout the session.

I was telling him I endured traumatic events as a young child, telling him what happened and he had to leave the room and gather himself. "Struck a personal chord." When he came back, I changed the subject to what triggers symptoms, and he got up to leave again.

He seemed like a pretty cool guy, just couldn't handle what I needed to tell him. That scared me too much to ever tell anyone in real life what happened.

 

[Dana1010]

I have been blessed with good T's.

Could you maybe share with us your strategy for selecting them? Do you have any idea what accounts for the positive experience you've had? Pay rate, insurance, location, background?

Personally, I don't put much stock in credentials; I think natural honesty, empathy, and desire to help go much further. But that's just me.

 

[ladee]

@Dana1010 , when I said blessed, I mean really ! I went thru our local mental health clinic, it was on a sliding scale...All four times, not counting the one I shared about, was from them. When my first T went out on her own, she took me with her, for the same sliding scale !!! I was with her for 7 years. The other three, a year or so.
I know how rare this is... that's why I said it was a blessed.

 

[Deleted member 33880]

I only went to a therapist once and never went again because my full grown dude therapist got way...

I am so sorry this went wrong. But like a bad dentist, doesn't mean that there isn't an excellent therapist around the corner.
I have begun to test out potential therapists like this: tell them some abuse details and if they handle it well and are kind and empathic, then I might work with them. You found out he wasn't up to it. At least you knew. Doesn't mean you are not supposed to tell anyone. He couldn't cope, doesn't mean all therapists can't cope. But how tragic for you.

 

[GardenGirl0214]

What timing for this thread. My worst experience ever happened, believe it or not, last week. I've had...

That's terrible!! I'm glad you didn't let his carefree attitude prevent you from looking for another therapist. That takes a lot of courage and strength, so good for you! Good luck with the new therapist.

 

[jesse]

My worst therapist was about 7 years ago. He was such a dick. First he wanted me to lay on his floor so he could instruct me to do some breathing technique and I said no. Then he got all offended like I was trying to be in control which I guess I was because why the f would I want to lay on his floor? Later at another session I was very depressed and told him I was feeling suicidal he actually matter of factly stated "well I can't rationalize with an irrational person." LMAO. It wasn't funny at the timw but have good therapists now so I can laugh.

 

[WillyKat]

You have to wonder how some people get into that profession.

 

[sedna]

I always say the expensive ones are the worst. Three short examples of three different T's, all with Harvard, or Stanford degrees, all charging 300 an hour.

One reached over his desk and grabbed a pill bottle in the middle of the session. He opened it, took some pills then just set it back. I said " what, am I that boring? " He said no and chuckled. A few minutes later he said he thought I'd be just fine even though I was unemployed because I was " attractive and personable" and things always " come down the pike" for people like that.

Next one asked to borrow a book I was reading about narcissism and never returned it. I asked for it several times and he always claimed to forget. When he asked for my legal files he said he'd had a bad experience with the exhusband of a patient becoming a stalker and my exhusband scared him so he wanted me to go somewhere else for therapy.

Last one was giving me massive quantities of meds and talked about himself, and his own problems.
I learned he wished he'd stayed in the software field in college, but didnt see it going anywhere so he switched to medicine. That was just before Steve Jobs and he is consumed with regret. He is disapointed in his children who are spoiled....I'll leave it at that but I could write a small biography on this dude even though it was 10 years ago and thanks to him I was high.

Very happy with my simple MFT at the moment. :)

 

[jesse]

I always say the expensive ones are the worst. Three short examples of three different T's, all with Harv...

Coco9. My current T talks about himself a lot too. He has PTSD and helps me but lately I get frustrated because he talks at least half the session. I have been seeing him for three years and has helped me through some very bad stuff so I care about him and feel close. I recently asked to see his wife for awhile for a change of pace and because I spoke to her when he went on vacation this spring. She was a good listener and I felt validated and calmer after two sessions. I guess I am feeling guilty right now asking to switch. I will see him tomorrow to speak in person about it vs just our phone call last week.

 

[sedna]

Coco9. My current T talks about himself a lot too. He has PTSD and helps me but lately I get frustrated be...

Even if you like him and have known him a while, you shouldnt feel guilty at all about preferring his wife. Eventually the back and forth thing makes it feel like a friendship and you start to resent paying them.

I never liked mine and only kept him for three months, it wouldve been three weeks but my reaction time was slowed thanks to his prescription pad.

I have two now that I really like, but sometimes one of them asks for my opinions or advice about other clients which is unprofessional. What bugs me about it is that it makes me feel smarter than he is when he does that. I dont want to be smarter than my T !!

 

[mamachick]

I agree, at least at times, "no therapy is better than bad therapy".

The worst therapist I had was a man about 60, psychologist, highest level PhD. After several visits, I was sick with upper respiratory and bouncing off the wall and lacked sleep. I told him I was on prednisone and that I was having anger outbursts, and asked if it could be meds(prednisone) as someone else had told me. He ignored all of that. I sneezed and coughed and blew my nose. I told him of recent events and thoughts. He wanted to know if I would see a psychiatrist. I think he questioned bi polar (doesn't start in 50's). He was concerned telling my my recent behavior was abnormal. Yeah....no kidding. I had waited too long to see dr and by the time I got in, had to get steroid shot, anti biotic shot, breathing treatment, and left with several prescriptions including prednisone. As he was writing his notes, he typed and read out loud at end of session. I again asked if prednisone could cause these feelings of agitation. He said "prednisone, oh you did say you were taking that, OMG, if I had known that, well you did say that didn't you. My son when young would have to take that and we would just about have to tie furniture down, if I knew this- we could have skipped this entire discussion" Well thats nice, so then write off the damn bill. He was not good in general but this was the last bill I was paying for this incompetence. He never did comment on ptsd.

For the most part, I have had good therapists. I have no other complaints and have probably seen 5-7 during my life. They have different styles but have generally taken something positive away. However, I have not had symptoms of ptsd all my life. I do think it takes much more experience to treat ptsd. I really have not found good treatment for that yet-God knows I have tried. Not therapist fault though, lack of continuity with insurance has made treatment difficult.

 

[Deleted member 43031]

I could not agree more. I think that clients / patients (whatever we're called) need to understand tha...

I am new and going through my own hell - seeking a therapist to help me with the rudimentary basics of ptsd, like trauma 101, I Have ptsd over so many things in my life .... childhood abuse to the car accident in 2015 then this past april. I was seeing a therpist who was SO mediocure she would yawn on a regular basis through our sessions. Yes we pay THEM, so they need to follow our protocal, and I wrote a careful outline of what my needs are/were including - that I have limited energy due to my brain trauma, and need help dealing with the imapact of my injuries on how I manage just simple life tasks. My new "normal", I just dumped (she does not know it yet) a therapist who at the 5th session - was in la la land. Lets just leave it at that. She to me is dangerous and because I have a very well rounded background in medical advocacy and consumer advocacy.... I just watched her talk in a circle around herself! I found it useless to say what I really wanted to - which was hey lady - hey hair-cut - this is about ME, not YOU. and I pay YOU.... Man, I just feel so depleted. To have to search out a good therapist. REALLY? sigh.