When Therapy Hurts: The Hidden Abuse No One Talks About
Therapy is supposed to be a safe space for healing. But when a therapist crosses boundaries… emotionally, psychologically, sexually, or financially… it becomes something else entirely: abuse disguised as help. In this video, I break down how therapy abuse happens, why it’s so confusing to recognize, and what steps you can take to reclaim your power. Learn how to spot manipulation in coaching and therapy, understand your rights, and begin the journey of healing from betrayal by someone who was supposed to help. You are not alone, and you can recover.
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🕰️ Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: The Dark Side of Therapy
00:36 Defining Therapy Abuse
00:48 Types of Therapy Abuse
01:41 Recognizing Subtle Abuse
03:11 The Impact of Therapy Abuse
04:08 Your Rights in Therapy
05:32 Steps to Take After Experiencing Abuse
07:00 Conclusion: Healing and Moving Forward
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🛎 DISCLAIMER:
The content of these videos is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or professional advice.
#therapyabuse #therapy #coercivecontrol
15 Comments
Some of us do try to talk about it. We're usually silenced by the "therapeutic establishment", though
The first time I met my EMDR 'trauma therapist', she looked me straight in my eyes and stated: "You know you're beautiful?? Right??" Her next statement was, "I'm not going to feel sorry for you." I can kick myself for wasting a year and a half with her. There were so many red flags from the beginning. My ex is a covert narcissist, and she'd refuse to even allow me to express my voice. She couldn't allow herself to admit that she had no experience or true knowledge about narcissistic abuse. She then began to use the power of her office to intimidate me because I wouldn't back down. She eventually emailed me an apology, but I can never speak to my so-called EMDR therapist again. Medical trauma is real!!
Therapy has mostly been harmful for me and contributed to a significant amount of my trauma experiences. Also, most therapy is low-key (or not very low-key) conversion therapy for queer people, pretty much trying to turn me into a straight person (haha, nice try!). I look forward to hearing your take on therapy harm.
What important and accurate information. Thank you so much for this. This is brilliant and kind at the same time
Much needed information! God bless
I had an awful experience 10 years ago when I was physically abused by a mental health professional – the worst kind. Even after I found the courage to report it, went through the police system, found out that the perpetrator had done the same to others – I am still very effected by it. I have flashbacks, I feel unsafe in medical settings, I find it so hard to trust professionals.
I'm broken by it. This is the first time I've watched a video where the kind of abuse I suffered is explicitly addressed as something that can happen to an adult – not just to children. I was there because I needed help & I got the very opposite. He used the information I gave right at the beginning of the process to control me, manipulate me and do the worst. Hearing you say that it wasn't my fault has been so important for me to hear. Thank you for making this video & for helping me.
Thank you for sharing this important information. I had a sexual relationship with my psychologist, and for years afterwards I thought of it as an affair. I believed it was my fault, that I had seduced or taken advantage of him. It has taken me a long time to start to even consider that the responsibility was his, and I still struggle to believe it.
Well said! Shouldn't get steamrolled by healthcare providers or viewed with prejudice 😳
it's a violent disregard for your mind and body, sexual, emotional, verbal manipulation or explanation is not the answer to trauma. if they are not displaying symptoms of a psychotic or sociopathic response attempt to solicit that type of response from someone who is attempting to heal or seek help from supposed medical professionals. that's a violation or the patients right to medical care, this is happening everywhere in America they do not have proper licensing if any.
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My therapist ghosted me after a year of work, the abandonment trauma reversed all the work we had done pretty much
👏
👋Psychological abuse includes gaslighting to do public examination of our naked bodies too while then letting people assume we were at the time drunk when we are not.
I just got my therapist abuse me. I just fired her. Which board can I file a report?
I think this is important. I have had many clients report concerning things about other clinicians.
As all things that have naunces, i do think that therapist should challenge and push gently with parents and clients to confront things that are being avoidant. This is not the same as psychological abuse. It becomes an issue if the therapist continues to push as your expression of discomfort. But i think it separates challening therapist from just regular non-evident base practice.
Abuse