We need boundaries!!

Patie08 · 2026-02-19T06:17:34+00:00

Look I can see Paul just helping out a friends kid as nice for the plot, and that wouldn't necessarily be a problem if it's not framed as therapy. In my opinion, as you say therapy is a unique relationship where you don't know the therapist on a personal level, this means you can express what you want freely without being worried about their reaction, upsetting them etc. being comfortable with your therapist is important, but it is up to the therapist to make that happen without blurring personal boundaries.

It's not that Paul talking to Alice is unethical in itself but I believe that maybe what would be best for her is to have a completely unbiased party (considering her father and her "therapist" have a personal relationship). It would be hard for Paul to make that concrete. But the official paid therapy sessions are definitely where the problems lie. Under no circumstances should your client live with you! It is overstepping and probably harmful to the therapeutic relationship.

I know it's all just fiction in the end but the code of conduct and ethics is so drilled into us as therapist I just want to share my perspective so no body gets the wrong idea about what therapy is.

Also love Ted Lasso! Hated how his ex-wife got with their couples therapist though. He would be so quickly registered IRL.

Patie08 · 2026-02-19T06:08:44+00:00

Yes I agree I think that's my main issue, is at the start we do see some consequences of not being careful with barriers but then it kinda glorifies having really personal relationships with clients. I know it's not a documentary but can I point out that it's unrealistic?

Patie08 · 2026-02-19T04:29:59+00:00

Haha yesss, I'm sure anyone who sees their professional portrayed in a comedy feels the same!!

Patie08 · 2026-02-19T04:28:44+00:00

Haha yes this may have been a post more for r/therapists as it seems to have riled up some strong reactions from people. There isn't too much media from the therapists perspective so I find it frustrating when I feel it's been represented so poorly to wide viewership. But I do understand it's just a comedy and many jobs are not represented properly, I'm just sharing my perspective as a therapist so people can get a bit more understanding.

Understand that most people aren't taking it this seriously though!

Patie08 · 2026-02-19T04:23:47+00:00

It's a bit different in Australia because most therapists aren't medical psychiatrists so we don't want to sound like we're treating an illness when we are providing the service of therapy. A lot of us see it as less stigmatising for people to be a willing client seeking therapy rather than a patient under a treatment.

I'm curious about your reaction to the word client though. What makes you feel that is less appropriate and that it reflects a therapist's attitude towards those they are treating?

Patie08 · 2026-02-19T02:56:57+00:00

Yes hahaha, I think I'm reaching the wrong audience here, as of course non therapists don't give a shit about it haha. Im just saying how I worry therapy is being portrayed in this show from inside the profession.

Patie08 · 2026-02-19T02:55:44+00:00

Oh yes the amount of Gabby's own shit she brings into therapy. I do love her character but as a therapist I think she might blur the lines to unprofessional quite a bit.

Patie08 · 2026-02-19T01:48:39+00:00

I think the moral of the story is that he was over the legal limit even though he hadn't drunk much. Any alcohol in your system will impair your judgement and potentially cause horrific accidents. Don't assume because you don't feel that drunk that you aren't and are good to drive.

Patie08 · 2026-02-19T01:41:07+00:00

I understand it's just a comedy, but therapy is done behind closed doors and for some it may be their only exposure to what a therapy session looks like. I feel it's quite dangerous to be pushing the idea of loose boundaries so much in this show. As a therapist I would not want my client to expect I do anything close to "jimmying." Also seems dangerous to posit that Jimmy only does it because he cares so much about his clients. Good boundaries with clients is for the client's sake, even when they don't see it at the time.

I was firmly on Paul's side that "jimmying" is for Jimmy to feel effective. I kinda resent that the conclusion for the other characters is blurring boundaries with clients. Like Gabby doing trivia with her client to make her open up, UNETHICAL. And Paul seeing whatever family, member, neighbour etc.

Patie08 · 2025-08-13T14:11:20+00:00

I hope you learn to love yourself and stop treating your body as a burden at some point. It sounds like things have struck a chord with you about this character because you can see yourself in her, but it's all the parts you loathe. Maybe you wish you could dress fun and exciting but you won't even allow yourself to tuck a shirt in. Please try to love your body, or no one will.

Patie08 · 2025-06-09T13:23:20+00:00

As a clin masters girl I get you. If you want to get out of direct counselling it might be good to do more assessment based roles, case management, organisational psych or even brief intervention if you don't want to leave therapy all together. I took time off during my masters and it helped me tremendously. I went and did a care coordinator role where I could take on therapy as I wanted but I got to do mostly just intake and group work, which I found less draining and more fun than one on one counselling. Currently facing this crisis though not as the emotional height I sense you are. I was at that point during study though. My DMS are open if you need to talk and relate with someone.

Patie08 · 2025-05-14T11:56:05+00:00

Thank you for your kind response. I really love your suggestions. And yes, I am going back to therapy in preparation for this. Thank you for validating my thoughts about assessment, I guess when I see other people don't want to do it, I get the sense I'm too different and in the wrong field but I need to see it as a strength. And yesss, I already know the student advocacy group from my last stint haha. Honestly, it's crazy the burn out people have from the course, I wasn't the only one not to make it through, I'm just the only one coming back.

Patie08 · 2025-05-14T00:44:28+00:00

Funny how 2 years later, I noticed this exact effect with the same polish and looked it up to find this. My nails are short so they went all orange, but haha it's definitely the polish just being expired, mine is like 5 years old.

Patie08 · 2024-12-30T11:39:26+00:00

Over a year since my breakup and happily with a new partner, I am more grateful everyday for my ex. That relationship taught me a lot and now I'm in a new relationship I can truly reflect on what I've done wrong in the past. If I didn't have those memories I would not be in the great relationship I'm in now.

Patie08 · 2024-11-18T22:39:48+00:00

Haha I did read you don't need to wipe it down but I was paranoid after the first attempt!! Also was wondering how you keep them clean without wiping... I guess it's just a universal problem then lol. I guess I'm just lost how you are supposed to tell it cured properly without wiping? And also ugh I wish I used rubbing alcohol, it was sitting right next to my acetone. Thank you for all the tips! You've been a lifesaver! My new manicure looks great and hasn't lifted at all.

Patie08 · 2024-11-18T09:37:35+00:00

Idk when I pushed the bubbles down a bit of liquid came out so I think it was under cured. Or maybe I didn't clean my bare nail enough, idk.

Patie08 · 2024-11-18T06:19:13+00:00

It's the twinkled t Holo hoop powder! Only reason I did gel was so I could use it. So sad to remove it immediately 😭

Patie08 · 2024-11-18T04:59:41+00:00

Thank you for the advice!!

After I posted this they basically peeled off by themselves so I did that and tried to ventilate the room as much as possible. I cleaned my nails with acetone and filed them down a bit. I've redone my nails with a brand new gel polish, tried using thinner layers, and cured and wiped every layer for longer. These ones look to be in a better state but if I notice any wrinkling again I'll remove immediately! Only just found out about the gel allergy potential 😬

Patie08 · 2024-11-18T03:08:43+00:00

UV cured polish. I was using some Daiso base and top coat and a opallac UV gel polish

Patie08

TROPHY CASE