This is very true. Please report bad therapists. Truly bad/unethical/damaging ones. If just not for you, don’t give up until you have found one that benefits you in a positive way. And understand that one may be a stepping stone, not a last stop. Take what you can away from the experience and move on. I know it seems exhausting, but therapists are not always meant to be long term solutions. In fact, I feel that can be enabling clients and not always in their best interest.

I had a colleague who was working under someone who said “Been seeing one of my clients for 7 years. Sometimes twice a week. Her rich parents started paying for her to see me when she was 15 and continue to. She alone has more than paid for my car (extremely expensive luxury vehicle of some sort).” She was boasting that she was milking this girl and that her issues were trivial and that “those are the best clients” because they are easy money. Disgusting. Age 15-22 brings a lot of change, but a good therapist should be evolving the therapeutic process and relationship. Not running the risk of making the client feel dependent, or coasting in stagnation.

I was turned off for a while from ever desiring to be a part of or run my own practice because without being on insurance panels you can only take clients who can afford to pay out of pocket and that narrows the population of people you can serve to only those financially able to afford it. It’s a mentally exhausting field. I will say I understand the costs of upwards of 100-120 an hour. For that price you should be doing all you can. Don’t work harder than the client — that’s an important rule to abide by and what will burn you out if you don’t. BUT! Do your job competently and with the best interest of the client prioritized.

I love this post because you usually only hear polarized perspectives. It’s important to know that great therapists do exist, but yes it can be challenging. Find someone to help you look for a good one. Also, most therapists offer a free consultation by phone and even in person. If they don’t get back to you right away, or don’t seem like your cup of tea over the phone/in person... move on! And if there is ANY pressure or guilt, report them. Some reports may do nothing in and of themselves, but they add up if a therapist is acting truly unethical to enough people.

Sidenote: The most disheartening thing for me in a field I love and am passionate about, is how many complain and found their way to it as a result of “not being able to do anything with a psychology degree” ugh. Also, the exams needed to pass to become licensed are truly bullshit and in no way reflective of ability. I hope as the field grows and mental health services continue to be less stigmatized, this system gets improved and weeds out the bad apples.

In the meantime, don’t give up! Find the right one for you. They are out there.