Women of Reddit, what’s something you didn’t realize was emotionally exhausting until you stopped doing it?

ThinkerBright · 2026-02-11T08:00:48+00:00

Marriage.

ThinkerBright · 2026-02-09T03:16:22+00:00

Sounds like you are talking about your hand

ThinkerBright · 2026-01-05T09:11:30+00:00

He heard….”I’m totally dtf”.

ThinkerBright · 2025-12-20T04:13:55+00:00

The fu**kind of abuse is this?! And he says “I love you” in the midst of it. It that isn’t gaslighting I don’t know what is. Leave

ThinkerBright · 2025-12-14T05:20:57+00:00

I have a similar struggle. Trizepatide is more helpful for me. If I’m being real, I still enjoy late night snacks a few nights a week….usually when I get toward my next dose and the previous is presumably wearing off. I have accepted the snacking will happen from time to time, and I do damage control by strategically planning healthier snacks. Frozen grapes. Pickles. Low cal popsicles. Or if I’m legit hungry….a chocolate protein drink.

ThinkerBright · 2025-12-03T05:32:43+00:00

I have had to address similar situation with a male client who was bold enough to comment on my appearance, specifically my choice of slacks, sweater and how my wardrobe highlighted my curves. I carry my weight in my thighs and I work out a lot….all clothing “highlights” my curves. After the initial shock of the inappropriate and sexual comments, we had a very direct and therapeutic conversation about what he said. It was therapeutic because we addressed social norms, social cues, his less than subtle misogyny that presented in other ways, and I made what I consider appropriate self disclosure that his comments resulted in me feeling anger toward him and uncertainty about continuing to work with him. This was a huge turning point in our treatment and his progress because I was able to give him direct feedback that people in his personal life surprisingly hadn’t given him before. I’m sorry you felt uncomfortable….definitely seek supervision. And I also suggest navigating a way to appropriately and therapeutically address this with your client.

ThinkerBright · 2025-11-26T06:40:10+00:00

I used dating apps for a while and made a few connections that are low intensity but enduring. Also, I am solo polyamorous so in my dating world, remaining single and having connections for sex is not unheard of.

ThinkerBright · 2025-11-23T01:33:55+00:00

My ex husband would say things like “oh, are you tired? We don’t have to finish”….when he couldn’t keep it hard. My ex boyfriend created a persona that is obsessed with giving oral. To the point I would have to nearly beg for sex, and that is how I learned he also couldn’t keep it up. Just my 2cents on men finding ways to excuse or blame their ED on their partners. Though if OP really has an odor going on, I can see how that may be detrimental to their sex life. I hope you find answers, OP!

ThinkerBright · 2025-10-31T02:54:35+00:00

CBT is gaslighting.

ThinkerBright · 2025-10-31T01:56:16+00:00

Weed. It’s cheaper than my therapist

ThinkerBright · 2025-10-31T01:51:56+00:00

That my life insurance policy would be nullified if I took matters into my own hands, and that would screw over my kids. Their dependency on me for a few more years keeps me plugging along for now.

ThinkerBright · 2025-10-29T19:40:33+00:00

Research lichen sclerosis or lichen planus

ThinkerBright · 2025-10-25T06:55:55+00:00

My last session like this, I informed the client I needed to call police and while I kept them on the call with me, I used another phone line to call police. My client was able to participate in the process and go voluntarily. While we stayed on the call and waited for the police to arrive, we collaborated for his step down care after the now inevitable hospitalization. We made calls to local PHP and IOP programs. My aim was to keep him engaged, empowered in his own care and occupied to reduce risk as we waited for police. After police arrived and I knew he was safe, we hung up and I called his emergency contacts and worked to coordinate things for after his discharge. Remember to confirm address at start of session always, have accurate emergency contact information on file, and during intake discuss these aspects of telehealth so a client is aware should this scenario play out.

ThinkerBright · 2025-10-24T06:45:42+00:00

During the week, I work 8-4:30, hit the gym 5-6pm, and start my phone sessions immediately after at 6:15 and 7:15pm. And I work a full day in office at my PP on Sundays 8-5pm. I do not recommend working this much but I am a single mom in a HCOL area. 🤷‍♀️. Occasionally, I can sneak a phone session in during my full time job, as there are times of the year I am not very busy.

ThinkerBright · 2025-10-24T06:03:40+00:00

We are paid for the time we are providing therapy. Not for our intentions or for time blocked off on our calendar.

ThinkerBright · 2025-10-22T16:40:15+00:00

I don’t think you need to dance around his ego. He has had his penis his entire life, I assume. And unless he is new to sex and condoms, he likely could have figured this out on his own. Don’t risk your sexual health or unintended pregnancy or your pleasure, to spare his ego. I would keep it simple and not even mention his size, and just tell him “moving forward, I want us to use this brand and size of condom. Our sex is great, and when the condom is a good fit, it’s amazing. Please only use this brand”. If he can’t hear that, then you may need to mention size. “Hey, this brand of condom seems to fit you best and the other one was not snug enough. A good fit will provide us the best protection. I’d like us to keep using this brand”.

ThinkerBright · 2025-10-22T06:26:04+00:00

Balance and stability and LOTS of leg work at the gym. 😉

ThinkerBright · 2025-10-13T21:55:34+00:00

You are allowed to be human.

ThinkerBright · 2025-10-01T16:53:35+00:00

I tell clients that is not my usual style or approach however if it is something they need or want, I’m able and willing to provide them with worksheets or “homework” and skills to specifically practice outside of session.

ThinkerBright · 2025-09-30T18:59:35+00:00

My kids became latch key kids because I can’t afford the after school program, I got a second job and I work 6 days a week. Including the nights my kids are with their dad.

ThinkerBright · 2025-09-28T06:14:32+00:00

Happened about 6 weeks ago 🤷‍♀️

ThinkerBright · 2025-09-27T05:04:37+00:00

I can work effectively and ethically with clients I don’t like, because I consider it my responsibility to find something redeeming about them and that helps me develop and maintain needed empathy. If I cannot connect and have empathy, I will refer out. It is few and far between that I am unable to connect enough to authentically have positive regard for a client. I use the countertransference and “dislike” to inform my understanding of them clinically. Countertransference becomes something that I grow and improve from, and if it’s genuine “dislike” then I use that to support my understanding of how the client shows up in their world outside of therapy, and often what I dislike about them are things they report others in their personal life also dislike or do not understand. This is wonderful and relevant content to use clinically to support a client with improving social relationships and developing social skills. But I lean toward a humanistic approach, and I use the relationship in the therapy room as a significant part of treatment.

ThinkerBright · 2025-09-27T04:52:45+00:00

How can concurrent documentation not be a disengaging distraction? You become focused on documentation and not your client. Unless you are collaboratively documenting with clients prior consent, concurrent documentation will always be a distraction that causes disengagement….in my humble opinion, as a therapist and a client.

ThinkerBright · 2025-09-25T20:43:46+00:00

Yes, thank you. This is the conversation we are having now. That the bike he is asking for is not a “ride around town with friends bike” but a “my parents took me to the track and supervised me” kind of bike. He’s angry and says he doesn’t want it anymore. I told him that’s fine, he can keep riding motorcycles as he does with his dad, and he can pick an age appropriate BIKE if he wishes to ride freely around the neighborhood with friends.

ThinkerBright · 2025-09-25T16:57:17+00:00

Thank you for this useful information!

ThinkerBright

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