When I was 18-19 years old, my therapist emotionally and psychologically abused me. During our sessions from 2021-2022, she unprofessionally led me to believe that we could be friends after treatment, asking me to wait two years. This manipulation severely impacted my mental health, leading to multiple ER visits and a stay in a mental hospital.
She frequently crossed boundaries, overreacting to my texts and accusing me of having an “attitude” when, in reality, my phone had simply run out of battery, cutting off my message. She told me I was her favorite client, which flattered me at the time instead of raising red flags. When she decided to pursue a personal relationship, she reassured me that she wouldn’t abandon me like the men in my life had, preying on my fears of betrayal.
In February 2024, when I reached out to her, she insisted we wait the full two years before a friendship, only to later reject the idea altogether, leaving me devastated. Her tactics mirrored those of a previous abuser. I also want to highlight that during one session, she threatened to terminate therapy. I was so upset that I cried, and she didn’t understand why. After a few days of silence, she called to express her regret but never followed through with termination. I remained in therapy until I ended it for the sake of our supposed future friendship. This manipulation left me confused about her role – she threatened to abandon me while simultaneously fostering the idea of a personal connection.
-Mikaela