It can be difficult to know when you are seeing a bad therapist. Sometimes, it might not be obvious until you have been seeing them for a while. In this blog post, we will discuss 25 warning signs that might indicate that you are seeing a bad therapist. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is important to talk to your therapist about it and see if there is a better fit for you.
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What Does Bad Therapist Means?
A bad therapist, basically, is a person who is not good at their job. These therapists impact their clients in a negative way and can make their conditions worse. It is important to be aware of the warning signs that might indicate you are seeing a bad therapist so that you can find a new one that is right for you.
There are studies that suggest that as many as one in four people who see a therapist will have a negative experience. That’s a pretty high percentage, and it’s likely because of the fact that there are so many different types of therapists out there.
Moreover, the bad therapist is someone who actually makes you feel worse. They might do this by gaslighting you, being overly critical, or making you feel like you’re not good enough. There are numerous red flags that can indicate you might be seeing a bad therapist.
What Are The Signs If You’re Seeing A Bad Therapist?
It is important to be able to see the signs if you are seeing a bad therapist. This is because therapy is important and it can be very helpful, but only if you are seeing a good therapist. A bad therapist can actually do more harm than good.
Here are 25 signs that you might be seeing a bad therapist
Look for the following warning signs:
Doesn’t respect your boundaries
It is often the case that people who go into therapy have had bad experiences with someone in the past who violated their boundaries. This can make it difficult to trust people, and it can be hard to feel safe. If your feel like that they’re not respecting your boundaries, then it is likely that they are not a good option for you.
If they being too judgmental
A good therapist will be non-judgmental and will accept you for who you are. If your therapist is being judgmental, then they are not a good therapist for you. They might be making you feel bad about yourself, which is not helpful.
Not taking your concerns seriously
It is the important thing to look for in a therapist is whether or not they are taking your concerns seriously. If they are not, then it is likely that they are not a good therapist for you. Because you went to them to get help and if they are not taking your concerns seriously, then they are not going to be able to help you.
Making you feel worse
A good therapist will make you feel better. If your therapist is making you feel worse, then they are not a good therapist for you. They might be making you relive trauma or triggering your anxiety, which is not helpful. However, there is no such thing as a perfect therapist and it is okay if you have a bad session every once in a while. But if this is a regular occurrence, then it is time to find a new therapist.
Not being open-minded
A good therapist will be open-minded and willing to try new things. If your therapist is not open-minded, then they are not a good therapist for you. They might be stuck in their ways and not willing to try new things, which means they are not going to be able to help you as much as someone who is open-minded.
Trying to control you
When a therapist tries to control you, it is a sign that they are not a good therapist for you. This is because they are not respecting your autonomy and they are not allowing you to make your own decisions. This can be very harmful, especially if the decisions they are trying to make for you are not in your best interests.
Not being respectful
If your therapist is not respecting you then they are not good for you. Their rude or dismissive behavior can never help you in recovery, in fact, it leads you in more negative ways. Only a good professional will be respectful and will treat you with kindness, and compassion. They understand that respect is important in a therapist-client relationship. Even it is the root of trust and an essential element of any relationship.
Making promises they can’t keep
It is very often related to giving false hopes and making those promises that they can’t keep. A bad professional will likely make promises that they can’t keep in order to gain more patients. They eventually forget their duties and will make conditions worst. They might be promising to fix your problems or to make you feel better, but they are unable to deliver those promises.
A bad therapist lies to you
If your therapist is lying to you, then they are not a good therapist for you. They might be lying about their qualifications or about what they can do for you. This is not helpful and it is not something that a good therapist would do. In fact, it is actually harmful.
Engaging in inappropriate behavior
This inappropriate behavior is usually sexual in nature, but it can also be anything that is outside of the bounds of what is appropriate for a therapist-client relationship. If your therapist is engaging in inappropriate behavior, then they are not a good therapist for you. This is because they are violating your trust and they are taking advantage of you.
Violating your confidentiality
Therapist-client confidentiality is one of the most important aspects of the therapist-client relationship. If your therapist is violating your confidentiality, then they are not a good therapist for you. They might be sharing your information with someone without your consent or they might be snooping through your personal belongings. This is a violation of your trust and it is not something that a good therapist would do.
Blames you or your family for your conditions
Blaming you or your family for your conditions is not helpful and it is not something that a good therapist would do. If your doctor is doing so very often. Then, this is because they are not taking responsibility for their own actions and they are not trying to help you. It is very difficult to trust someone who is constantly blaming you or your family for your problems.
Trying to sell you something
A bad therapist is more likely to try to sell you something than they are not a good therapist for you. They might be selling supplements, books, or other products that they claim will help you. However, these things are usually unnecessary and they are not going to help you in the long run.
Making decisions for you
Making decisions for yourself is always going to be your choice. If your doctor is making decisions for you without your consent, then they are not a good therapist for you. This is because they are not respecting your autonomy and they might be making decisions that are not in your best interests.
Not being available when you need them
If you need to talk to your therapist outside of your scheduled appointment times and they are not available, then they are not a good therapist for you. They should be available to talk to you whenever you need them, whether it is through email, phone, or in person. No matter what is the medium to connect but a good therapist will be available.
Failing to follow up with you
They might be forgetting to return your phone calls or emails, or they might be failing to schedule follow-up appointments. This is not helpful and it is not something that is expected from a professional. Following up with the patient is one of the most important aspects of the treatment whether it is about anything. It is their primary responsibility and should be the foremost concern.
Not being invested in your treatment
These bad professionals might be going through the motions and they might seem like they don’t care about you or your progress. This is not the right way to provide treatment to people with mental illness. And it is not something that a professional would do. But there are professionals who work only for money and this is why they hardly invest their time in providing the right treatment.
Hiding information from you
If your therapist is hiding information from you, then they are not good for you. They might be withholding information about their qualifications or about the treatment that they are providing. This is not helpful and it is not something that a good therapist would do.
Failing to provide you with resources
Sometimes, a bad therapist might not provide you with the resources that you need. This is not helpful and it is not something that a good therapist would do. If you need help, then your counselor should be able to provide you with resources that can help you. They should be able to provide you with referrals to other professionals or they should be able to provide you with information about resources that are available in your community.
Not being transparent about their fees
A therapist should be upfront about how much they charge and what their payment policy is. This is because failing to do so can create financial hardship for you. In fact, some therapists might even try to charge you more than they said they would. This is not helpful and it is something that will create hindrances in your further sessions.
Giving you false hope
A bad therapist might give you false hope by telling you that they can cure your condition. Or they might tell you that they have never seen someone like you before. This is not the right way to treat a patient with mental health conditions. A counselor or a professional must behave in a professional manner and never heightened false hope. Because this can lead to a more damaging state.
Trying to be your friend
Your therapist should not be your friend. They should be someone who is professional and who is there to help you. If they are trying to be your friend, then they are crossing boundaries and they might not be able to help you in the way that you need. This might be a trick to make you feel better but in reality, it is not helpful.
Ignoring your feelings
A bad therapist might ignore your feelings or they might dismiss them as being unimportant. This is not helpful and it can actually be harmful. Your feelings are important and they should be respected by your therapist. And also, do not forget that you went to them because you needed help in the first place.
Invalidating your experiences
A bad therapist might invalidate your experiences or they might tell you that what you are feeling is not real. It is not the right way because your experiences and feelings are real. And if they are not validating your experiences, then they are not a good therapist for you and even cannot help you.
Badmouthing other professionals
Badmouthing other professionals is something a bad therapist might do. It is considered a red flag because it shows that they are not open-minded and they might not be able to help you in the way that you need. This behavior shows that they are not professional and that they might not have your best interests at heart.
These are the signs that you might be seeing a bad therapist. There are many good therapists out there who can help you. So, do not hesitate to find someone who can help you in a better way. Do your research and find a therapist who you can trust.
Moreover, you can try Mantra Care as they provide you with the best online therapists who are professional and qualified and will not engage in any of these behaviors. With Mantra Care, you can be sure that you are getting the help that you need from a good therapist. They even have free trial sessions so that you can try them out before you decide to commit to anything. So, what are you waiting for? Try Mantra Care now! Visit their website now to learn more about their services.
How To Protect Yourself From Bad Therapist?
When you identify a red flag, trust your instinct and get out of there as soon as possible. It is important to find a therapist that you trust and feel safe with. If you don’t, it will be very difficult to open up and talk about the things that are bothering you. Here are ways to protect yourself from the bad therapist:
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A good therapist will be happy to answer any questions you have about their qualifications, experience, or treatment methods.
- Do your research. Check out the therapist’s website, Google them, read online reviews, and talk to friends or family who has seen them before.
- Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t be afraid to end therapy if you’re not happy with it. You deserve to get the help you need, and you should never settle for less.
- Speak up if you’re not comfortable. If something your therapist says or does makes you uncomfortable, say something. A good therapist will be happy to address your concerns and make changes if necessary.
- Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. If you’re not sure about your therapist, talk to someone else who is qualified to give you advice. Sometimes it can be helpful to get an outsider’s perspective.
- Stand for yourself. If you feel that the professional you’re seeing is crossing boundaries or making you feel uncomfortable. Then, don’t be afraid to speak up or end therapy at the moment. You are in control of your own life and you deserve to be treated with respect. Never give your life’s control in other hands.
Bad therapists are out there. Protect yourself by being informed and aware of the warning signs. With a little bit of effort, you can find a great therapist who will help you heal and grow.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you are currently seeing a therapist and any of the above signs resonate with you, it may be time to seek out a new one. It is so important to feel safe, understood, and supported in therapy, and if you don’t feel like your current therapist is providing that for you, it’s time to make a change. Trust your gut on this one–you deserve the absolute best when it comes to your mental health. Thanks for reading!
A Word From Therapy Mantra
Your mental health — Your psychological, emotional, and social well-being — has an impact on every aspect of your life. Positive mental health essentially allows you to effectively deal with life’s everyday challenges.
At TherapyMantra, we have a team of therapists who provide affordable online therapy to assist you with issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, workplace Issues, addiction, relationship, OCD, LGBTQ, and PTSD. You can book a free therapy or download our free Android or iOS app.
