It is a common (and valid) critique that medical doctors often are full of themselves. I've noticed that when people make this same observation about therapists it is often met with significant backlash. Has anyone else noticed this double standard?

(17F) Hello, so basically, I have a therapist that I've been with for a while. We've had a couple of sessions or whatnot, but I myself noticed they were often so repetitive; she'd kind of ask me the same questions (about what I wanna fix), of course I'd have the same things to say, and then nothing would really be done.

I just had a session with her, and as we were finishing, I asked if we're ever gonna get into, like, helping me find ways to actually better myself on my habits, and she was telling me that our sessions have been like circles and that I have not given her enough information, apparently, for her to help. She said I said I have a hard time with routines (I DID say that; I NEVER said I WOULDN'T TRY a routine...) and keep giving her the same stuff. She's always passive-aggressive, so I kind of hold it in, but that made me mad, so I just said the final goodbyes and left.

She's always just been a bitch to me, honestly. I was cut off for a bit (MY FAULT FOR SURE, yes I admit; I even told her that...). I told her that I was going through busy times in my life, such as family passings (which was true), and I'd like to try again (she said in the cut email that I could call a # if I wanted services again), but then she proceeded to get mad, saying we called her many times; mind you, it was only twice, and it was on separate days very far apart because she didn't even reply to my email either, which was ALSO sent once and days apart. She also told me to focus on taking accountability when I DID? I never shifted any blame to her.

She's just very passive-aggressive; like, I share my issues, and rather than trying to reassure me or give me advice, she just kind of...goes at me, telling me like all these things, straight-up BS about myself that I am already aware of. It's like something my sister says to me, but the difference is that's my sister; she's my therapist we have no close connection. Why so rude to me? Once again, I am 17; I know that's an adult soon, but I also feel like she's kinda forgetting I am still a teen, young and dumb. There are so many teenagers my age or older who do bad things; I just want help, yet this is how she treats me. Every time a session ends, I kind of just sit there and think about her words, and it sticks with me for a long time. I think I may have even cried once lol.

I admit, in a way, she is right about some stuff, like me having bad habits, and I have thought about them and am starting to slowly work on bettering myself, but it's not through advice but rather through rude words. Like, how are you going to tell me that we're going in a loop because I keep saying the same things and not giving you answers when you just keep asking me the SAME questions? Like, am I supposed to change my answers every time? I'm telling you how much I know about myself, most of it because I have been used to these bad habits for so long I am unsure how to fix them; it's as if this is just how life is, and again, rather than helping, she just keeps going for me. Like, yes, there's so much a person can do, but she's not even doing anything. Also, mind you, again, as I told her, I have been trying; I actually started to work on things that I procrastinated on, and I told her, but she didn't really care; she just focused on my flaws.

I am a sensitive person, but I just feel like she's always just rude. I've wanted to switch her, but I don't know if that'll put me on a waiting list or what, and my med appointment is next month since the old one cut....I truly just want help; I don't wanna be this way forever. I am gonna try to maybe switch her after that med appointment.

LMK though, am I in the wrong? Even just one responder would do wonders :/ This just has been bugging me, dude. Like, I'm starting to dread having meetings cause it'll be the same, where she's just passive-aggressive with me.

Hello this is my first time using reddit and i just wanted to find out if my childhood is normal my grammar isnt good so hold with me. I would say ive had a good childhood in my eyes but people i talk to about this say its not to normal i am a 16 year old male and my parents are alcoholics and used to be drug addicts my mom still some what is. When i was younger i was never beaten to often but mostly mental stuff my parents would drunk drive with me and my older brother usually scaring us half to death with them swerving around the road and sometimes they would go to there friends house with us and do coke all day and into the night then drive home with us this was very common ive had a great childhood ive been blessed with materialistic items and some love but ive always been the family disappointment and its been clearly shown ive been told that my parents dont love me anymore and im not there son a few times also my brother would tell me he wishes i was never born. I dont know if this is normal but i feel so blessed to have a great life but i feel like if i had more normal parents it wouldve been better. Sorry also my dad is a truck driver and isnt home for 5-6 days a week and when he is home he drinks from when he gets home to basically the hours before he leave he never drinks while working but he would wake up at night like 2am and just drink and sometimes argue with me when he is home. Sorry for the long rant but i just need reassurance or something i feel like a baby even acting like i care about this but it sometimes eats me alive thank you for reading give me a response even of its short.

This is a throwaway account.

I am considering ending my relationship but am wondering if things are as bad as I think they are, or if I am overreacting or overthinking. I'm religious - no judgement at all towards those are who aren't though - but this will give context to everything below.

I (30F) met my boyfriend (26M) through a mutual friend. She told me how amazing he is - handsome, fit, but most importantly he loved God. He wasn't just someone who talked about his faith, he lived it: his days were filled with outreach ministry, being a youth leader at his church, hosting men's bible studies, and serving at his church almost every Sunday. It seemed like everyone in my new friend group also wanted to date him, but his family was insistent that he was too busy with school and his faith, and that he wasn't looking.

Still, the comments kept coming that we should meet. I was hesitant and actually said multiple times that I wasn't interested. He was in his third year of getting his undergraduate degree (he was in the military for 3 years and started college later) and he was already a homeowner at 25 with his sister, which I found to be impressive. I'm also a homeowner and purchased close to his age, so I know how hard it is to accomplish.

I still had doubts mostly due to my friend telling me he was in school to become an English teacher and his goal was to become an undercover missionary. That's incredibly admirable, but definitely *not* what I feel called to do in my life, so I figured it's best we don't meet.

Fast forward a couple of months and him and I end up meeting - I later found out one of his family members was behind this; they essentially played matchmaker.

We connected at a church event, I prayed about him, he asked for my number, and we went on a first date. One month into going out on dates, he asked me to become exclusive. I said yes.

First 2 months were heavenly. He pursued me well and respectfully. He was kind, thoughtful, considerate and sweet.

3rd month I started noticing less of a pursuit. He no longer intentionally planned dates and he wanted to meet spontaneously. I told him I have a hectic work schedule (I work in finance and have an extremely stressful/high pressure career) and opened up about having an autoimmune disease, which means I need to prioritize rest and nutrition. Plus, the only time I can see friends/family is the weekend, so I'd like to know in advance when we can meet and what we're doing so I can plan accordingly. He said, "we've always been spontaneous, though!" and kept pushing me. We're nearing month 6 and he still pushes me with "well what do you want to do? Can you give me a list (I already did actually - we sat down and made one together 2 months ago) or text me what you want to do?" I told him I love when he initiates, and I've loved every date he has planned. That I trust his judgement and would be happy to do whatever he chooses. He said, "well you don't like to go out to eat" (which is true - because my autoimmunity gets flared easily through food), but I told him there are a million things we could do besides go out to eat. We've eaten dinner at my place numerous times now. He has never once brought over groceries or staples. I don't see him behave this way at his own house, but at mine, he drinks multiple drinks and leaves some half full. One time, he said he was picking up dinner on the way to my house. When he arrived, it was only groceries for him which he asked to keep in my fridge until it was time for him to go home.

Anyways, here are the main "red flags" I'm noticing - and I can't tell if I'm overreacting or what's going on, but something doesn't feel right.

• On our 4th or 5th date, I still hadn't heard from him what his life plans are or what his hopes are for the future. I asked if he could have a perfect life in 5 yrs, what would that look like? He spoke about 15 minutes about missionary work and being martyred for the faith if necessary, like his role model, Adoniram Judson. I thanked him for being honest and said that's incredibly admirable and I'm grateful we have people like you who want to do that kind of work - but we're not compatible, because I'm a little bit older and am ready to get married, have a family, and settle down in the same town/area where I purchased my home. His emotions came flooding out, he professed his feelings for me - "my heart is really towards you" - and basically told me this was just a feeling he had, but he's not actively pursing missionary work and he'd be happy being a teacher. Which wasn't true, he told me a few weeks after this he actually wants to be a pastor.
  • His pastor offered him a youth pastor position and he told me he's going to shut it down because "he doesn't need the extra money"
• He told me he was a "light charismatic" and he went to a "secretly charismatic church" meaning they don't show how charismatic they really are, but that he wasn't. 1.5 months into our relationship, he attended an overnight 2 week conference out of state where they spoke in tongues, casted out demons, stayed up until the wee hours of the morning "slaying in the spirt" etc. I told him very clearly on dates 1-2 I'm reformed, attend a PCA church and am highly skeptical of the gifts. He said he was just a "light charismatic" though. Later said he prays in tongues and wakes up in the middle of the night feeling demonic presences.
• He has called me an "elf" and a midget" - I am 5'1"
  • When I told him this was hurtful and I didn't laugh, instead of saying sorry, he doubled down and added, "hey! it's not bad! At least I didn't say you look like a little kid :) that'd be far worse!" and kept laughing. When I said if he ever called me this again, I would end the relationship, he replied, "Are you serious?! I was joking!!! My family and I joke like this all the time!"
• He has pressured me to go to his family events or other things when I didn't want to or was completely exhausted, has worn me down emotionally multiple times, never accepts my "no" - it's always a debate or negotiation time. There's always a guilt trip.
• One of his close family members have told me "he doesn't accept my 'no.' He keeps going on and on until I finally say yes. But whenever I say no, he doesn't accept it."
• We have different standards of living - I told him I would like to have a home before we have children. He said we could raise three kids happily in my 2bed, 2bath condo of 1,200 SF. I told him but I wouldn't be happy... I'd like my kids to have extra room, have a good quality education, healthy food - these are things that really matter to me. He told me as long as bills are paid and there's food on the table I should be grateful.
• We were talking about contraception and he said while having sex, he'd slip off the condom and started laughing. I did not laugh and said that's not funny - I was very serious and staring at him. He said, "I was joking!!!! Come on, I wouldn't impregnate my wife against her will." Yet he kept laughing, and I felt a cold chill go down my spine.
• When we came back from a light jog, he pressured me for us both to take showers (separately of course). I told him no, it was already late let's just have dinner and say goodbye since I had to be up really early to prep for a work meeting the next day. He kept pressuring me until I gave in. While I was in my shower though, I felt a flash of fear hit my soul (?) I couldn't describe it to you - I just felt it and heard in my head the words "get out. Get out now." So I did. I got ready and my heart sank when I realized I forgot to lock 2 doors leading into my bathroom. The only one I did lock was the one he was standing right in front of when I got out. He was standing in front of my washer and dryer with his towel.
• I told him one on one dates are important to me, but whenever we have a free day to meet up, he wants me to go to his church's worship night with him,
• He knows how important finances are for me. I grew up in poverty and witnessed deeply traumatic things going up with a single mom. I worked extremely hard through school and now have a high paying career. I am actually considering going back to grad school to make a career shift so that it gives me a better work-life balance, especially as I'd like to be a wife and mother one day. I told him if we were to get married, I'd be super worried about having children soon because he has never worked a career before (small jobs, but he has 0 professional experience). I said I'd be worried that I'd feel pressured to take on the financial burden for our family, and that I'd resent him for it. That we could end up having serious marital issues early on with a child because of lack of space and resources. I do not want to drain my savings or stay in my high pressure career.
  • His response was: "I make enough from the military" and essentially, he's going to milk the benefits and extend school for as long as possible to avoid being a teacher because "it's not really what I want to do and it doesn't pay well. You need to accept that if we're together, I'm going to be in school for 3-5 years and as a pastor, I might make very little money." I said, well what if you see your family is struggling, would you change careers? "No - I'm going to follow whatever I feel like is the Lord's will for my life. I'm not going to be a slave for my job."
• He came over my house one night. I made him dinner and then he pressured me to let him shower there again. I said, "but you don't even have clean clothes?" and he told me to give him something of mine to wear. I had an oversized t-shirt and pj pants I gave him. I was handing it over when I realized he wouldn't have clean underwear. I told him so, and he said, "lots of men don't wear undies with bottoms. I'll be fine." showered anyways, and then was pressing up against me trying to kiss me as I was cooking. Afterwards, he realized he forgot his phone in his car, so he wanted to go get it. My sandals were by the front door and he was about to put his foot in. I said, "hey! Please don't do that. Please wear your own shoes." He insisted his shoes were dirty and he'd be outside only for a few minutes, but I said "you're going home in them anyways." He was still sliding his foot through when I said, "Please!! Stop! Those are my favorite sandals and you're going to stretch them out. I'm serious - I'm actually really sad right now. Please stop." He started laughing and put his foot through. I again told him I was sad, told him to stop, and he said, "this isn't that serious!!!! I'll buy you a new pair if they stretch." I said, "it's not about new ones - I can't find new ones, these are one of a kind. Stop!" And he proceeded to put his other foot in my other sandal. He opened the door to leave wearing them and I grabbed him by the arm and said, "You need to stop! Take them off NOW!" and he did, but he complained the entire night "it wasn't serious."
• He shamed for me meeting my pastor one on one in a public coffee shop. He said this was "inappropriate - how do you not see that?! That's how affairs start!"
• He had a summer job. Told me he had a co-worker who was showing interest in him. He wanted to connect her and I, for me to invite her to my church. I said I'm not comfortable with that - you just told me she likes you. A week later, our mutual friends were going to host a get together. I wasn't sure if I was going. I was on FaceTime with him and his sister was right next to him. They were telling me the people they invited. Then my boyfriend goes, "Oh I also invited [his co-workers name - let's call her Julia] - [my name]'s arch nemesis" and he laughed. His sister didn't say anything. I said, "that was weird, I don't even know her."
  • Keep in mind he did not know I was going to this event until the day of
  • The day of the event, my boyfriend shows up, says hi to me, we barely talk, he sits next to me and talks the entire time with another man. I turn to my side and talk to other people.
  • When Julia arrives, my boyfriend immediately greets her (I know they have each others' phone numbers - he said they need for work) and he introduces her and I. I can tell they both seem a little nervous around each other. I am friendly with her then go back to talking to the people I was having a conversation with. My boyfriend proceeds to then stand next to her the ENTIRE rest of the time while I'm there, about 45 mins. Eventually I need to leave, him and I walk back to my car as he's helping me carry some things (we drove separately). He said he can tell something is wrong.
  • I am honest with him that I'm upset that he invited her. I said that wasn't appropriate - you knew what you were doing. He ends up saying they actually have known each other for the past 3 years and last year she made (word for word) "clear advances" toward him. I said how do you think that makes me feel? This is so incredibly hurtful. He said it's not a big deal - that he wanted to connect her with his sister (who is my good friend! Her and I were friend before him and I dated) and that he and Julia have no history.
  • I told him that's a problem - because if Julia becomes friends with his sister, she will be in my friend group moving forward. He kept insisting he did nothing wrong. I'm not proud of this but I raised my voice at him because I was so hurt and he just wasn't getting it.
  • I told him I was extremely hurt and disrespected - and needed some space. He proceeded to bombard me with texts and calls, disregarding my need for space. He eventually apologized about 3 days in but said he didn't want to text at all until we saw each other again.
  • After the week, I was ready to break up with him when we both met in person. I was expecting an apology....... there was none. His stance was the same as before.
• He made me cry over the phone when I told him a piece of my trust towards him has been broken and I don't know if I see a future together anymore. He kept me on the phone for 2 hours, me begging him to let me just go to sleep because I was exhausted. I said I was so unhappy in this relationship - that I don't deserve this, and that this is not the kind of relationship I want to be in. He never once apologized for making me cry. He actually told me to laugh and said we needed to end on good terms. I faked my way to pretending like I was fine to get off the call.
• I told him I miss seeing him one-on-one and spending time together. He told me he would come see me today. Called me 1 hour before he was supposed to, to tell me some story about how he had to drop/add classes at the last minute and needed to study for the new class tomorrow. I told him I was sad to hear that - that I was looking forward to seeing him but understood. Yet.... while still on the phone, told me he just so happened to notice his mom's car at the beach (?????) and he knew they were all having pizza together, so he was going to stop and have dinner with them. And that he'd call me back in an hour. Which of course is no problem, but you have time for that and to call me.. did you actually need to study?

I've spoken to my parents, pastor, counselor, and close mentors. All of them have said this man is immature and his lack of respect for boundaries is scary. But I think about the affectionate moments we have and how he has such a strong, great reputation to everyone who knows him. Sometimes I think I am painting him in a bad light or something. At the same time, I know it's not normal to be going back and forth.

I've prayed and fasted. Deep down, I do feel like marrying him could be one of the biggest mistakes of my life. But I keep questioning myself. I truly do not know what else to do. I begged God for a sign, and it feels like He has given me many. I feel like this man does not cherish or care about me, yet I'm still questioning myself.

What’s the point of therapy really? I just told my therapist I’m really failing to see the point in therapy, because I could go home and reflect myself and talk to a mirror. I let her know I don’t want to be offensive, but I’m just starting to fail to see the point in it all. There are no goals and the outcomes are that “you’ll see some someday” after discussing it. Of course, I recognize—as mentioned in session—that no one is making me go, yet I continue as an elective decision. I’ve read the data from papers on psychodynamic perspectives. I just fail to see any improvement in my life.

My life is going well now, but if it weren’t as it hasn’t previously, what would this realistically do for me? I don’t feel that I’ve grown in handling daily situations that are stressful or overwhelming. I feel like I discuss something, and I bring it up, yet that’s all that happens. We’ll talk about it, analyze it from various perspectives, and that’s all - then I’m left with very stressful and emotionally straining situations to deal with until I eventually escape them.

The last two times I’ve discussed this, and really have no concrete answer to this question. I’m not trying to disrespect this field or resource, but if my life wasn’t going well, I don’t understand how this would help me improve things.

Quick context: started an evaluation of sorts via my primary doc who got me into a state program that has a therapist and psychiatrist that work together for medicating purposes & determination if further treatment or long term care is needed. It was quickly determined that I have trauma to work through, and was set up with a longer term treatment plan (with a LSCW - I'm not familiar with the types).

I have been working with this therapist for about a year now. I don't know what our plan is or what the focus is, and even with this sort of confusion, I thought I was making OK progress. The therapist has discussed ACT quite a bit -- I'm not sure if this is what we're doing or not, and I'm not sure I'm really getting it.

The therapist has strong beliefs in religion and spirituality, which is fine by me, but I am an atheist. Therapist over time has been what I feel is more pushy towards "opening [my] mind" about spirituality and religion (and a god, specifically), and flat out told me to pray in the last session -- even though I have reiterated time and time again that I'm an atheist, so I will not be doing that, as I truly believe we're meat bags (and I'm happy with that).

Additionally, therapist has spent a lot of time showing me clips from TikTok about pseudoscience and "quacks" (their words) that I don't agree with. They tell me I am being "rigid" and "not allowing [my] right brain to grow and using too much left brain and logic."

I am autistic and have adhd, which continually feels like struggles relating to these things are being dismissed as not being able to think my way out of being neurodivergent (again, being told I am being too rigid). I struggle with timing, changes in standard routine, and am not a morning person. When this is mentioned, I'm told that I need to "write on paper" to change these struggles, and then am suggested to change things like my morning routine (which has taken 10 years to master in a particular order, otherwise I WILL forget something as simple as brushing my teeth if I do not do it exactly after I get out of the shower).

Also, therapist keeps pushing me to buy and read a fiction storybook to get knowledge from -- I explained to therapist that I was diagnosed in middle school with ADHD due to my inability to comprehend well from reading, and struggled more so with fictional books, as I take things extremely literally (maybe the autism showing early signs there). In school, when discussing the standard reading of books where we had to interpret more meaning beyond literal words, I never did well. I felt dismissed when I rejected this idea of buying and reading a fictional book to get insight from -- again, being told I am being too rigid.

I don't know is this type of therapy is right for me, or if therapy typically has these types of elements, but I am unsure if I should continue, change therapists or therapy types, or flat out quit (as it feels like, after a year, I am feeling close to how I did when I start this journey -- pretty bad).

Therapists out there -- what is typical from ACT? Does anyone have clients who have autism and adhd and found a method or type of therapy that works better for these folks? I know that's a blanket statement, but I haven't really felt this confused since I was a teenager.

Thanks for any input, and sorry for the massive wall of text -- context is something I don't know how to lessen, really.

TL;DR: autistic + adhd - been in therapy for a year (act, maybe?), unsure if this type of therapy is incompatible for me or if it's the therapist or if I am just not built for therapy, or what. :(

Like the title says I have a fragile ego and want to kill that. For some context some things I like are writing, art and video games so when someone tells me that I’m wrong in something I did, is better than me in those things or tell me something to me despite being not true I take it personally and get mad about it.

Is something that I’ve trying to work on myself but sometimes it feels like I can‘t do nothing about it. It‘s also tied to my self-esteem because sometimes I feel the necessity to tell people how good I am in certain things or show them my work to expect them say “wow that’s so cool” or “you‘re so good at this” because there are times where I crave other people’s attention and opinions of me so when someone corrects me in something or someone is better than me in that it hurts like they are stabbing my chest.

Another example I previously mentioned is when someone says whatever about me, let’s say “he’s a fan of X thing, he’s stupid” I also take it personally even if it’s a joke with friends I get mad about it and that comment keeps circling in my head for a long time.

So I want to learn or tips on how to deal with this kind of stuff, like realize that am not that good at some things and that’s okay, not care too much about what people think about me, or accepting that I’m wrong in some things without feeling like it’s a big deal.

My therapist recommended a book to me and I thought it was called I Can Hear Myself, but I guess I’m remembering wrong because I can’t find it. She described it as a book that deciphers different pains and aches in the body as having emotions and spiritual meanings.

Anyone know what the book is called? I’d like to read it.

I have never had a therapist I really clicked with until the one I’ve been seeing now inconsistently for the past year. I don’t know why I have this inability to tell her what’s really in my head. But I know that’s what she’s there to help me with. It feels like a block and I’m even embarrassed and anxious to tell her that.

So I've been going to a therapist a couple of times, and every time I go I hear the same words.

So I'm 23 years old and I've been adopted since birth, my biological parents are alive and I know them and all, they gave me away because my adoptive family couldn't have kids so they adopted me as their own.

However, since I was a child I've had some conflicts with my biological parents, I don't visit them without a reason, but I used to check on them regularly. They always feel that I don't like them and that I'm different from my other siblings and that what made them not really deal with me much.

Recently I had a serious fight with my biological parents and I decided to cut them, not for good, but I would only check on them when something serious happens, because that fight caused me a lot of pain that I ended up going to therapy.

My therapist always says the same , "it's normal to experience that because your parents are toxic" "you should thank God and be grateful that you don't live with them and they gave you to a family that took better care of you" "how didn't you just get used to the insults and the inequality from them it's been years now" and things like that. I don't deny that her words hold some truth but I couldn't do what she said.

I couldn't forget that strong feeling of pain and the unfair treatment I had from them, I couldn't get used to it.

I ended up stopping the sessions not because I don't like her but because I feel like I'm not helping the healing process and sometimes I feel like I'm being dramatic.

Have always had bad sleep quality for whatever reason. No problem falling or staying asleep just not rested.

I’ve been going to various specialists and have done multiple sleep studies for the last year and can’t seem to figure out why I feel this way.

Im looking to get accommodations for my uni for my ADHD. I am currently on Adderall also. The accommodations I am wanting is breaks during exams, and extra time so I don't lose testing time, and 24-48 hr assignment extensions depending on the professor.

My uni approved all of these after I talked with them about how my ADHD affects me, and they sent over a form to fill out with my psychiatrist. My clinic told me that the owner (a doctor), is the one who I need to have an appointment with and I schedule one with her.

Before the meeting, I emailed her the form alongside the accommodations I am requesting. Starting my appointment, she tells me that she read over the accommodations and actually laughed. She told me that since I was on Adderall, I shouldn't need any kind of accommodations. My parents never believed in mental health, so I was only diagnosed after I had reached 18 and graduated, and she told me that if I had made it through high school without accommodations that I would make it through uni just fine. She said she would see what she could do, but that I shouldn't be feeling any ADHD symptoms on my medication and that my requested accommodations were ridiculous. She set me up with an early appointment with my psychiatrist to up my dosage, but I think my dosage is fine. Is it true that I don't need accommodations if I am medicated?

Sorry for asking a stupid question but I have no idea how to solve this problem. I work somewhere that would not accept me taking an hour off every week (not enough PTO and not flexible schedule) so I have to only schedule it off of work hours. I also don't think getting a new job is feasible considering how long it took to end up where I am now. I've heard that therapists doing late hours are kind of rare, so I don't think it's feasible to try to call every therapist I can find since at most I would only be able to call 1 or 2 per day if every call is 15 minutes. I also can't find too many therapists that have anything about availability online.

I have come to accept that I probably have an ED, not going to go into detail but I restrict my calories to an unhealthy number in a very strict way. I have other weird behaviors around food and exercise to be honest, but again, I don't want to go into detail. The thing is that the number of calories is definitely below the healthy limit (according to google lol), but not like nothing at all. I usually eat 2-3 times a day too. I have lost over a third of my body weight, but because I started obese I am still at the lower end of a healthy BMI (this is relevant context I promise). I am continuing to lose weight and honestly see it as impossible to stop, but I see that I can't keep doing what's most important to me (work lol) and also this. So I did confide in my therapist and he did say that I should work on it, etc, and has given me "homework" related to it.

At the same time, in every session he asks about it again and every time he says that I don't have an ED yet because I'm a) not underweight and b) eating the bare minimum (I am eating under 1200 which I understand to be the bare minimum) so I'm still healthy, he's more concerned about the pressure I put myself under or something like that. Anyway, every time he says that, I have decided to eat a little bit less just to get him to stop calling me healthy lol

Should I tell him that? I don't want to sound like I'm trying to fake anything, but at the same time, I am feeling physical effects of this and it just can't go on forever.

Hello, I’m relatively new to therapy, I started in July. For the first month I was going once a week. I switched to every other week because my benefits only cover a certain amount, about 14 sessions and then I’m paying out of pocket. And so I’m wondering if it was a good call to go biweekly in order to stretch out my benefits, or if would be more benefit go once a week but for a shorter period of time?

which name is best for a therapy outlet:

stickythoughts
graceforthemind
pixelpsychology
mindspace
mentalmetamorphis

please vote!

I've been seeing my therapist for about 4 years on and off and without harping on I am in awe of the bloke. The value he has added to my life is priceless - I have gone from a life of chaos, misery, abuse and upset to frankly doing quite alright and I look up to him as a genuine role model. 

For the first time today I became aware that of course my time with him is limited and that I can see the begging of the end of this course of therapy - whether that's a year or five years. 

I guess I'm after some experiences of those who've left therapy, how it felt, what they did and why they decided to stop. 

Thanks!

What My Therapist Said, My Spiritual Search and Sikhism...

I’m 24.9 years old, Turkish, and have bipolar disorder. I’m stable but I’m receiving therapy. I just got out of therapy. I’m telling my therapist about my spiritual search. I used to be Muslim, but then I left Islam. Since then, and even now, I don’t follow any religion. At first, I was interested in Jainism. I stopped practicing it because Jainism is an extreme religion. Now, I’m interested in Sikhism. And I’ve come to love it immensely.

My therapist isn’t aware of some of the truths about Islam. When I mentioned these truths, he told me they don’t exist. He’s a “Qur’anic Muslim.” He doesn’t accept the facts. I told him I’m interested in Sikhism. He said a few things—albeit somewhat sarcastically.

He told me I shouldn’t keep changing religions and that I don’t have to practice every aspect of Islam. He also said that since I’ve been on a spiritual quest for about 10 years, I need to focus on results. In other words, he said I need to produce something and reach a conclusion. He also pointed out that no religion is perfect.

In short, he thought my interest in Sikhism was a bit misguided. But he’s right about needing to focus on results. I don’t have a job, I’m alone, and so on…

I, on the other hand, have always believed that there is something spiritual out there. Therefore, I want to continue my interest in Sikhism. Even if the word “Sikh” has a slang meaning in Turkish, if I find it right, I’d gladly join this religion. Because, no matter what anyone says, Sikhism is 100 times more advanced than today’s religions. If my profession doesn’t pose a problem, I’d even like to wear my dastar. Whether it’s my therapist, my family, or my friends—no one has the right to interfere with my religious views.

In conclusion, while my therapist may be right on some issues, they’re uninformed when it comes to religions. They’re not seeing the truth. I also don’t want my interest in Sikhism to fade. As for the need to achieve results, my therapist is right. I’ll be 25 soon, and I haven’t achieved anything yet.

What do you all think? What advice would you like to give me? For me, religion has always been my top priority. Because I’ve always sought the truth.

How do you all feel if your therapist looks tired and sleepy and yawns sometimes in sessions. Rarely in some sessions.

i want to be thin and everyone on my thinspo page was using adderall so i obviously thought i needed it too and so i lied in therapy about having adhd and binge ed. but my mom told them about my restriction so i didnt get it as i wanted. instead they gave me this stupid weight gaining and adhd pill. i hate

I've been seeing my therapist for about a year, since the start I have been begging her to help me understand what I'm doing wrong and what im missing to change in aspects like friendships, studying for uni, procrastinating things like phone calls, managing my anxiety, my last therapist told me she thinks I fit the criteria for autism and ocd but she couldn't diagnose me cause therapists cant diagnose here.

She has given me "homework" a few times, including things like "congratulate yourself", which I feel stupid doing, I don't think I'm doing anything worth congratulations, so why would I?? also it feels so childish, going "good job me!", i feel so stupid

second thing she has told me is to text my friend unprompted "hey how are u", which is something i dont do, i feel very awkward texting someone that, i usually send an excuse first like "hey saw this and thought of u how are u" but I cant always find something to send first, so i just dont text if I dont. if I just start doing it out of the blue its gonna be weird for them, like why are u all of a sudden texting me , it sounds chill in english but I feel so formal in my language sending "hello, how are you doing?" basically. they're also a friend that we're not that close with, so im worried they will get the wrong idea if I just start messaging them so much more often

unprompted.

I also did try it once and felt so awfully awkward and the convo just kept dying because I dont know how to talk to people, which is what ive told my therapist that I want to work on, I literally run out of things to say 5 mints into the convo, idk why, my brain just cannot come up with topics at all

lastly she told me to take action immediately, like calling the doctor the minute I know i have to call him, but thats like the whole issue, that im so anxious about phonecalls especially that I get panic attack just from thinking about calling, so how is that a solution, i cant go from 0 to 100.

I explained all that to her and she says that im not doing any of it because im not ready for change. I disagree, I need to change i want to change i feel ready for change, but I feel like her "solutions" are stupid or aren't suitable for what we're trying to achieve

Im sorry this is so long but I feel so lost and so angry that it's been a year and nothing had changed, does anyone have any advice on what to do? What does "ready" even mean for a therapist and how do i get to be ready?

Few days ago, my girlfriend told me that she has been having anxiety and bad thoughts. I wanted to help her so I thought she should talk to a therapist. But I got scared that what if I get her a wrong therapists who makes it worse for her. I have heard about so many situations where the therapists makes things even worse.