Do a therapist's personal beliefs actually matter?

Can I personally believe in God? Of course. But if I'm acting as a professional—an actual expert—am I going to force those beliefs onto my patient?!🙄

Quentin Tarantino said:Moral standards are really just matters of social consensus; they aren't exact sciences and don't necessarily drive scientific progress. Before the era you're describing, people held entirely different convictions. In fact, certain periods in ancient history were actually more liberal in some respects than what we consider "modern" today. So while things definitely change, I'm not sure if it's always a straight line of "progress." And, for the record, people didn't actually believe the Earth was a flat disc back then either. 😁

I'm not quite following—what are you actually trying to get at here?

Are you suggesting that a therapist should only be tolerant of behaviors and inclinations that align with current American social norms and definitions of "normalcy," and that they should judge or try to "fix" anyone who falls outside those lines?

Do you believe a therapist ought to pass judgment on a client for being gay, an atheist, or someone living a promiscuous lifestyle?

Or do you think that regardless of what a person accepts as "normal," a therapist should accept the patient as an individual and show them empathy—primarily because they are a human being in pain, rather than treating them like societal outcasts who need to be exorcised?

Quentin Tarantino said:You seem to be operating under the assumption that shifts driven by social trends can be categorized as hard science. It’s a bit murky and highly open to interpretation, really. I’m not convinced that changes in perception stem from specific scientific breakthroughs, nor are they purely the result of societal pressure. Rather, it feels more like a complex interaction involving various social mechanisms and evolving dynamics—much like how psychotherapy

I am addressing your inner Sheldon Cooper 😬 :

Society—actual human beings—is what birthed science in the first place. Every single scientific achievement we celebrate is essentially a derivative of human thought, experimentation, and logical deduction.

Let’s just take a moment to remind ourselves that science wasn't engineered by robots, nor has it—like anything else in our society—reached some ultimate peak or finalized its absolute conclusions. 😍

And by the way, if we were to follow a strictly scientific methodology, one wouldn't dare inject any personal convictions into a therapeutic approach at all.

I’ll just jump in briefly here to comment on your reply; I plan to give you a full response once I’ve had a chance to properly digest your points, as I am currently quite famished and my mind is entirely occupied by thoughts of food. :humanoid:

Dennis Jackson38 said:Are you referring to that same historical stretch where people insisted the Earth was a flat disc, thought leeches were the panacea for almost every ailment, or believed redheaded women were witches destined for the pyre? 😬

Upon further reflection, one could theoretically conceive of a brilliant robot designed to step into the role of a therapist—one capable of posing flawless logical inquiries and delivering impeccable logical responses and diagnoses. Why, then, would such a thing never succeed in the real world? Because a machine will never possess the single most vital element required to truly grasp the struggles of another human being: empathy.

Really? Seriousness? A therapist "views" it??? There hasn't been a "view" regarding this specific example since 1970. (I find it hard to believe that we still have to Wikipedia and copy-paste this stuff on this PDF 😁)

Since the 1970s, the consensus of the social sciences and health professions has moved to the belief that homosexuality is a normal variation of human sexual orientation, while there remain those who maintain that it is a disorder.[2] In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder.

Listen to this... "influence the therapy." The only thing it will influence is his loss of medical licensure, because he's busy declaring a homosexual person to be sick.
Now, remind me about that little girl they kept locked away just for being a lesbian... chills....

If I had to choose a personal motto to live by, it would be:

"Not doing more than the average is what keeps the average down"

In an effort to extract the philosophical core from this topic and steer the conversation back toward its intended course, I’ll attempt to refocus the point 😉

It is perfectly reasonable to expect those who have dedicated their lives to mental health to possess a higher degree of insight, openness, and freedom from the primitive biases found in whatever "mental mainstream" you are referring to.
I am certainly not suggesting they need to be superhuman, far from it; however, they shouldn't be using their credentials as an excuse to implant their own prejudices into patients who come to them in good faith—especially those dealing with more complex issues.

Right now in America? It won't happen. There's a huge list of psychiatrists and therapists over here who still think homosexuality is a disease and try to "fix" it. And it's not just the treatment—they straight-up terrorize clients, telling them they're going to hell or blackmailing kids by threatening to tell their parents everything.

Take Gruden, for example. He was constantly on TV bragging about how he could "cure" it. After a massive wave of backlash and complaints, he finally shut his mouth about it in public. But the way these people operate in private? It’s a total horror show, like something straight out of Monty Python.

Kyle Lee7 said:I'm not quite following—what are you actually trying to get at here?

Are you suggesting that a therapist should only be tolerant of behaviors and inclinations that align with current American social norms and definitions of "normalcy," and that they should judge or try to "fix" anyone who falls outside those lines?

Do you believe a therapist ought to pass judgment on a client for being gay, an atheist, or someone living a promiscuous lifestyle?

Or do you think that regardless of what a person accepts as "normal," a therapist should accept the patient as an individual and show them empathy—primarily because they are a human being in pain, rather than treating them like societal outcasts who need to be exorcised?

I was just pointing out that these are personal views. They shouldn't necessarily dictate a therapist's clinical work, because that would imply there's a set of absolute moral criteria everyone must reach, which simply isn't the case.

I don't think a therapist should judge anyone. But I do think there's enough room for compromise so that every therapist doesn't have to see every single client. It shouldn't be a problem, nor should we try to force everything into one mold.
Empathy alone isn't always enough. The empathy of a religious person who feels for a sinner but still condemns the sin isn't quite the same as the empathy of someone who doesn't view it as a sin at all and understands the struggles of belonging to a sexual minority in a specific environment...

Quite simply, if I need a therapist, I'll look for one who fits me. I won't expect everyone to suit my needs, nor will I demand that everyone shares my exact beliefs. 🤷

A therapist—if they’re actually doing their job—should be able to set aside their own personal biases and subjective convictions. It ought to be a fundamental pillar of the practice: approaching the issues a patient brings to the table with a sense of objectivity, informed by modern clinical research and their own professional experience rather than their own ego.

After all, a practitioner needs to grasp that beliefs and values are deeply, fundamentally relative matters...

It seems particularly obvious in psychotherapy, where you have this intense, direct interaction—otherwise, you might as well be looking at a dentist deciding how to place fillings based on his own moral compass.

Furthermore, a therapist should be capable of treating any given individual as a human being first—a complex system whose defining characteristic is humanity itself. That includes acknowledging all the messiness and the absolute chaos people go through, regardless of how "wrong" it might seem to an outsider. If they can't do that, then it’s essentially like a proctologist deciding they simply refuse to treat hemorrhoids.

That is how it *should* work, I suppose... if we're being idealistic...

But, of course, in the real world, Murphy's Law usually takes the driver's seat.

There is also the issue of professional bias regarding methodology—for instance, a therapist might hold rigid views on pharmacotherapy versus specific behavioral methods. For whatever reason, those stances inevitably bleed into the treatment process in ways that are often quite trivial, yet entirely impactful.

crimsoncanyon2 said:Shouldn't psychotherapists and psychoanalysts be required to undergo some kind of rigorous internal audit before they even think about touching a patient?
I honestly feel like this topic just proves my point—a huge chunk of future medical professionals end up choosing psychiatry because they’re basically stuck in their own rigid, narrow-minded ways. But then, once they get that degree in hand, does all that baggage just magically vanish?

I don't know if this helps your case, but here in the States,
if you look at the "demographics" of psychiatrists, they have the highest rate of singles and divorcees compared to any other medical specialty. 😁

I mean, there’s really no point in a patient telling their doctor, "How the hell are you supposed to fix my marriage when your own life is a total wreck?" 🤣

I honestly believe there are probably schizophrenic psychiatrists out there (on meds, obviously), just like there are plenty of gay gynecologists. It happens more often than people care to admit. 🙂

....morning everyone.....you all were busy typing while I was catching some Z's.......the world keeps spinning, doesn't it?....

...most people just assume that a therapist should be this perfectly open-minded vessel where their own personal beliefs don't bleed into the session.....but honestly.....from what I've seen in my own life.....that isn't always the reality. Not everyone walking into a clinic is a saint with an unbiased mind. No matter how hard someone tries to shove their personal biases, their little paranoias, or their deep-seated fears into a box under the bed.....it’s impossible. You can try to suppress it, sure.....but eventually, those things are going to float right back to the surface....

...so, I actually think it would be incredibly helpful if clients had the right to know even the most basic stuff about their therapist beforehand.....things like....did they go to a religious college or a seminary? (like a Catholic or Jewish institution)....
....do they hold really traditional, patriarchal views on family and roles?....
....are they registered members of a specific political party?....
....have they ever been in therapy themselves, and if so, what was it for? (honestly, that could be a huge asset or a major red flag, depending on the person)....
....are they actually comfortable discussing topics like homosexuality?....
......and what kind of client profile do they actually gravitate toward? (Are they specialists in depression, PTSD, anxiety, social skills, etc.)?....
.....
....at the end of the day....don't you think a person has every right to know who the individual is that they're supposed to trust with their mental health?....

Tyler Jackson6 said:I don't know if this helps your case, but here in the States,
if you look at the "demographics" of psychiatrists, they have the highest rate of singles and divorcees compared to any other medical specialty. 😁

I mean, there’s really no point in a patient telling their doctor, "How the hell are you supposed to fix my marriage when your own life is a total wreck?" 🤣

I honestly believe there are probably schizophrenic psychiatrists out there (on meds, obviously), just like there are plenty of gay gynecologists. It happens more often than people care to admit. 🙂

That stat actually refers to psychotherapists... but you could spin it another way if you wanted to be pedantic. If you look at it like that, it basically implies they’re the ones causing the divorces, which totally ignores what the partner is doing. The real issue here is just how much they care about spotting problems and actually fixing them the right way. But let's be real—look at any relationship around you. How often do people actually deal with their issues in a constructive, serious way? Hardly ever.

Look, when you add those divorce stats to the mix, you also have to factor in the mental health issues. It’s a pattern. That stuff is basically a hallmark of psychos.

Rebecca Scott3 said:....morning everyone.....you all were busy typing while I was catching some Z's.......the world keeps spinning, doesn't it?....

...most people just assume that a therapist should be this perfectly open-minded vessel where their own personal beliefs don't bleed into the session.....but honestly.....from what I've seen in my own life.....that isn't always the reality. Not everyone walking into a clinic is a saint with an unbiased mind. No matter how hard someone tries to shove their personal biases, their little paranoias, or their deep-seated fears into a box under the bed.....it’s impossible. You can try to suppress it, sure.....but eventually, those things are going to float right back to the surface....

...so, I actually think it would be incredibly helpful if clients had the right to know even the most basic stuff about their therapist beforehand.....things like....did they go to a religious college or a seminary? (like a Catholic or Jewish institution)....
....do they hold really traditional, patriarchal views on family and roles?....
....are they registered members of a specific political party?....
....have they ever been in therapy themselves, and if so, what was it for? (honestly, that could be a huge asset or a major red flag, depending on the person)....
....are they actually comfortable discussing topics like homosexuality?....
......and what kind of client profile do they actually gravitate toward? (Are they specialists in depression, PTSD, anxiety, social skills, etc.)?....
.....
....at the end of the day....don't you think a person has every right to know who the individual is that they're supposed to trust with their mental health?....

Obviously they have every right to know. The real question is how much the therapist chooses to reveal or answer. It can be risky for the therapist because being too open might lead a client to expect a level of closeness that isn't professional, which causes massive issues with certain types of patients...

EDIT: I had one female client ask about my sexual orientation. I told her. Then she went and asked my colleague—who actually referred her to me—why I hadn't just mentioned I was gay. My colleague asked her why that even mattered, and the client just looked confused and said it didn't matter... Then there was this guy who wasn't sure if he should wish me a Merry Christmas, so he went stalking my Facebook to check my religion. Clearly, that didn't help him much because he ended up coming in to ask what my religion was and if he was supposed to wish me a Merry Christmas anyway.😍

Look, sometimes clients need these "irrelevant" details just to build rapport, which honestly makes the therapy more successful...

Some therapists let clients call them 24/7, while others freak out if they get a single text. I actually know a therapist who lived with a client for a week—that’s basically the absolute peak of losing all boundaries. On the flip side, I know therapists who won't say a damn thing about themselves beyond their credentials...

redharbor9 said:Obviously they have every right to know. The real question is how much the therapist chooses to reveal or answer. It can be risky for the therapist because being too open might lead a client to expect a level of closeness that isn't professional, which causes massive issues with certain types of patients...

EDIT: I had one female client ask about my sexual orientation. I told her. Then she went and asked my colleague—who actually referred her to me—why I hadn't just mentioned I was gay. My colleague asked her why that even mattered, and the client just looked confused and said it didn't matter... Then there was this guy who wasn't sure if he should wish me a Merry Christmas, so he went stalking my Facebook to check my religion. Clearly, that didn't help him much because he ended up coming in to ask what my religion was and if he was supposed to wish me a Merry Christmas anyway.😍

Look, sometimes clients need these "irrelevant" details just to build rapport, which honestly makes the therapy more successful...

Some therapists let clients call them 24/7, while others freak out if they get a single text. I actually know a therapist who lived with a client for a week—that’s basically the absolute peak of losing all boundaries. On the flip side, I know therapists who won't say a damn thing about themselves beyond their credentials...

Lately, giving a client your direct number so they can reach out whenever they need to has become a defining feature of certain modern psychotherapeutic approaches.

For instance, Schema therapy introduced the concept of Limited Reparenting (see the link, page 31), which outlines an entire strategy for building a more successful, secure, and trusting therapeutic bond—and that includes mandatory phone contact. Schema therapy has proven particularly effective when working with BPD, NPD, PTSD, and ED patients, as well as treating other disorders with high suicide rates. Today, there’s hardly any recent scientific literature on these conditions that doesn't discuss or recommend Schema.

Personal experiences with providing a phone number have been overwhelmingly positive; I haven't heard a single therapist complain about clients abusing the privilege. Initially, calls tend to be frequent—maybe two or three times a week—but as therapy progresses, they taper off until they drop to once a month or not at all, which is actually a reliable sign of clinical progress and success. 🙂

placidwolf2 said:Lately, giving a client your direct number so they can reach out whenever they need to has become a defining feature of certain modern psychotherapeutic approaches.

For instance, Schema therapy introduced the concept of Limited Reparenting (see the link, page 31), which outlines an entire strategy for building a more successful, secure, and trusting therapeutic bond—and that includes mandatory phone contact. Schema therapy has proven particularly effective when working with BPD, NPD, PTSD, and ED patients, as well as treating other disorders with high suicide rates. Today, there’s hardly any recent scientific literature on these conditions that doesn't discuss or recommend Schema.

Personal experiences with providing a phone number have been overwhelmingly positive; I haven't heard a single therapist complain about clients abusing the privilege. Initially, calls tend to be frequent—maybe two or three times a week—but as therapy progresses, they taper off until they drop to once a month or not at all, which is actually a reliable sign of clinical progress and success. 🙂

Everyone's experience is different 🙂 and let's be real, things are never perfect or perfectly organized...

Rebecca Scott3 said:....morning everyone.....you all were busy typing while I was catching some Z's.......the world keeps spinning, doesn't it?....

...most people just assume that a therapist should be this perfectly open-minded vessel where their own personal beliefs don't bleed into the session.....but honestly.....from what I've seen in my own life.....that isn't always the reality. Not everyone walking into a clinic is a saint with an unbiased mind. No matter how hard someone tries to shove their personal biases, their little paranoias, or their deep-seated fears into a box under the bed.....it’s impossible. You can try to suppress it, sure.....but eventually, those things are going to float right back to the surface....

...so, I actually think it would be incredibly helpful if clients had the right to know even the most basic stuff about their therapist beforehand.....things like....did they go to a religious college or a seminary? (like a Catholic or Jewish institution)....
....do they hold really traditional, patriarchal views on family and roles?....
....are they registered members of a specific political party?....
....have they ever been in therapy themselves, and if so, what was it for? (honestly, that could be a huge asset or a major red flag, depending on the person)....
....are they actually comfortable discussing topics like homosexuality?....
......and what kind of client profile do they actually gravitate toward? (Are they specialists in depression, PTSD, anxiety, social skills, etc.)?....
.....
....at the end of the day....don't you think a person has every right to know who the individual is that they're supposed to trust with their mental health?....

As a patient, this idea of things "floating to the surface" doesn't bother me one bit, provided that those moments are properly worked through during supervision.
Furthermore, as a client, I couldn't care less about the laundry list of details you mention later—whether she belongs to a specific political party, why she’s seeking therapy, and so on. In fact, I believe knowing those things would actually hinder my own progress, because it would trigger all sorts of psychological processes, like projections, that we'd just have to spend more time untangling later.

My therapist is meant to be a "blank slate." It’s my job to "color" her over time. Any attempt on her part to add color prematurely is completely unnecessary to me. In fact, she once hinted at certain life convictions she holds, and even though I share similar beliefs, I found it incredibly unwelcome to have that territory explored. For some reason, it’s much easier for me if those things remain unaddressed, and I made sure to let her know that. At least, that's how it stands for now. I’ve heard plenty of stories about clients being intensely curious about their therapists, but I haven't hit that stage yet.

Rebecca Scott3 said:....morning everyone.....you all were busy typing while I was catching some Z's.......the world keeps spinning, doesn't it?....

...most people just assume that a therapist should be this perfectly open-minded vessel where their own personal beliefs don't bleed into the session.....but honestly.....from what I've seen in my own life.....that isn't always the reality. Not everyone walking into a clinic is a saint with an unbiased mind. No matter how hard someone tries to shove their personal biases, their little paranoias, or their deep-seated fears into a box under the bed.....it’s impossible. You can try to suppress it, sure.....but eventually, those things are going to float right back to the surface....

...so, I actually think it would be incredibly helpful if clients had the right to know even the most basic stuff about their therapist beforehand.....things like....did they go to a religious college or a seminary? (like a Catholic or Jewish institution)....
....do they hold really traditional, patriarchal views on family and roles?....
....are they registered members of a specific political party?....
....have they ever been in therapy themselves, and if so, what was it for? (honestly, that could be a huge asset or a major red flag, depending on the person)....
....are they actually comfortable discussing topics like homosexuality?....
......and what kind of client profile do they actually gravitate toward? (Are they specialists in depression, PTSD, anxiety, social skills, etc.)?....
.....
....at the end of the day....don't you think a person has every right to know who the individual is that they're supposed to trust with their mental health?....

A psychiatrist-psychotherapist who is schizophrenic? I have honestly never heard of such a thing, and frankly, I highly doubt someone suffering from psychosis would ever pass the screening to become a therapist. Correct me if I'm wrong.
And personally, I see absolutely zero connection between a schizophrenic therapist and a gay gynecologist, even in the broadest possible context of this discussion.

....When I say that a client deserves to know certain things about their therapist, I’m not suggesting they should go on some interrogation mission to dig up private details.... what I mean is that this kind of information should be legally required and fully transparent. A person has a right to know exactly who is providing their care....
.....
....I've personally heard about instances where a psychologist grills a client about their ethnic background..... or even cases where a practitioner holds deep-seated prejudices against certain nationalities in their private life..... do you honestly believe someone like that can remain completely impartial and provide professional, unbiased support?
.....
....And think about this: do we really believe that people who graduated from religious universities and hold strict religious views—views that might label homosexuality as a sin—can truly offer sincere empathy to an LGBTQ+ individual?.....
...Or take a believer who sees women as being inherently submissive to their husbands, someone who thinks a woman should always prioritize her husband's interests over her own.... how is a therapist with those convictions supposed to understand a woman struggling with a marriage where she refuses to be patriarchal, or one who has chosen to leave such a marriage behind?.....
.....
....I'm especially curious about your thoughts on whether a client has a right to know if their therapist is superstitious..... you know, someone who believes in ghosts, bad karma, or all that stuff.....
....

Rebecca Scott3 said:....When I say that a client deserves to know certain things about their therapist, I’m not suggesting they should go on some interrogation mission to dig up private details.... what I mean is that this kind of information should be legally required and fully transparent. A person has a right to know exactly who is providing their care....
.....
....I've personally heard about instances where a psychologist grills a client about their ethnic background..... or even cases where a practitioner holds deep-seated prejudices against certain nationalities in their private life..... do you honestly believe someone like that can remain completely impartial and provide professional, unbiased support?
.....
....And think about this: do we really believe that people who graduated from religious universities and hold strict religious views—views that might label homosexuality as a sin—can truly offer sincere empathy to an LGBTQ+ individual?.....
...Or take a believer who sees women as being inherently submissive to their husbands, someone who thinks a woman should always prioritize her husband's interests over her own.... how is a therapist with those convictions supposed to understand a woman struggling with a marriage where she refuses to be patriarchal, or one who has chosen to leave such a marriage behind?.....
.....
....I'm especially curious about your thoughts on whether a client has a right to know if their therapist is superstitious..... you know, someone who believes in ghosts, bad karma, or all that stuff.....
....

I find this whole argument completely pointless.

Quincy:

...after all... do you think a client has the right to know who is supposed to be helping them?......

I just need to know if the person assisting me is capable of forming a therapeutic bond once I share my issues (and I expect honesty about that), and whether they can recognize when their own biases interfere with their work, such as through regular supervision.

Based on my past experiences with two different therapists, that’s more than enough for me...

I completely agree. This aligns perfectly with my own philosophy of what therapy and a therapist should ideally provide, and it’s also backed up by my own personal history—having gone through two separate therapeutic journeys myself.

I think I fall into that category of people who don't mind discovering bits and pieces about their therapist over time. In the beginning, knowing anything about them wasn't a priority for me—it wasn't even on my radar. What mattered most was simply finding someone I felt a connection with right out of the gate. To be honest, even now, I have no idea what their political views, religious beliefs, or other personal stances are, and frankly, I don't care. What really matters is how they show up for the work. They’ve proven to me that they aren't judging me based on my own values or trying to mold me to fit theirs; instead, they focus entirely on me as an individual and prioritize my actual well-being.

That being said, if any of them had started throwing around racist, homophobic, xenophobic, or misogynistic remarks—I’d have just turned on my heel and walked out right then and there. Even though those views wouldn't personally affect me, I simply have no interest in working with anyone who isn't open-minded.

Rebecca Scott3 said:....morning everyone.....you all were busy typing while I was catching some Z's.......the world keeps spinning, doesn't it?....

...most people just assume that a therapist should be this perfectly open-minded vessel where their own personal beliefs don't bleed into the session.....but honestly.....from what I've seen in my own life.....that isn't always the reality. Not everyone walking into a clinic is a saint with an unbiased mind. No matter how hard someone tries to shove their personal biases, their little paranoias, or their deep-seated fears into a box under the bed.....it’s impossible. You can try to suppress it, sure.....but eventually, those things are going to float right back to the surface....

...so, I actually think it would be incredibly helpful if clients had the right to know even the most basic stuff about their therapist beforehand.....things like....did they go to a religious college or a seminary? (like a Catholic or Jewish institution)....
....do they hold really traditional, patriarchal views on family and roles?....
....are they registered members of a specific political party?....
....have they ever been in therapy themselves, and if so, what was it for? (honestly, that could be a huge asset or a major red flag, depending on the person)....
....are they actually comfortable discussing topics like homosexuality?....
......and what kind of client profile do they actually gravitate toward? (Are they specialists in depression, PTSD, anxiety, social skills, etc.)?....
.....
....at the end of the day....don't you think a person has every right to know who the individual is that they're supposed to trust with their mental health?....

Yeah, right.🤣 As if we should just hand over our Social Security numbers too.🙄
A psychotherapist is entitled to their own personal views and opinions, but within the office, they must remain professional and objective. Anyone dissatisfied with their therapist is free to find another.

driftinggull21 said:Yeah, right.🤣 As if we should just hand over our Social Security numbers too.🙄
A psychotherapist is entitled to their own personal views and opinions, but within the office, they must remain professional and objective. Anyone dissatisfied with their therapist is free to find another.

I was actually just starting to type this exact thought, but you beat me to it. 😁

The issues raised here—like whether a religious therapist who views homosexuality as a sin can truly connect with an LGBTQ+ client, or if a traditionalist therapist who believes in patriarchal marriage roles can effectively help a woman struggling in that dynamic—usually become clear pretty quickly through the process. It’s often a matter of seeing if the clinician can set aside their own biases. A client will likely realize quite soon if their therapist can't rise above their personal convictions, even without being handed a manifesto on day one.

If the fit isn't right, there are plenty of other therapists out there. There's no such thing as "the only one."
The same goes for the professionals. If a therapist realizes they aren't equipped to work with a specific individual, there's no shortage of other clients waiting for someone who is a better match. They certainly won't be out of work.

Rebecca Scott3 said:....When I say that a client deserves to know certain things about their therapist, I’m not suggesting they should go on some interrogation mission to dig up private details.... what I mean is that this kind of information should be legally required and fully transparent. A person has a right to know exactly who is providing their care....
.....
....I've personally heard about instances where a psychologist grills a client about their ethnic background..... or even cases where a practitioner holds deep-seated prejudices against certain nationalities in their private life..... do you honestly believe someone like that can remain completely impartial and provide professional, unbiased support?
.....
....And think about this: do we really believe that people who graduated from religious universities and hold strict religious views—views that might label homosexuality as a sin—can truly offer sincere empathy to an LGBTQ+ individual?.....
...Or take a believer who sees women as being inherently submissive to their husbands, someone who thinks a woman should always prioritize her husband's interests over her own.... how is a therapist with those convictions supposed to understand a woman struggling with a marriage where she refuses to be patriarchal, or one who has chosen to leave such a marriage behind?.....
.....
....I'm especially curious about your thoughts on whether a client has a right to know if their therapist is superstitious..... you know, someone who believes in ghosts, bad karma, or all that stuff.....
....

I have to admit, I am absolutely floored by these kinds of proposals. So, you are actually suggesting that a psychotherapist should be required to disclose their own psychotherapy history, their political leanings, or their religious beliefs—and that this should be codified into law so potential patients can access it? Frankly, I find this idea terrifying. From a moral and ethical standpoint, not to mention the practical reality, this is a direct assault on the sanctity of the therapeutic relationship.

Rebecca Scott3 said:....When I say that a client deserves to know certain things about their therapist, I’m not suggesting they should go on some interrogation mission to dig up private details.... what I mean is that this kind of information should be legally required and fully transparent. A person has a right to know exactly who is providing their care....
.....
....I've personally heard about instances where a psychologist grills a client about their ethnic background..... or even cases where a practitioner holds deep-seated prejudices against certain nationalities in their private life..... do you honestly believe someone like that can remain completely impartial and provide professional, unbiased support?
.....
....And think about this: do we really believe that people who graduated from religious universities and hold strict religious views—views that might label homosexuality as a sin—can truly offer sincere empathy to an LGBTQ+ individual?.....
...Or take a believer who sees women as being inherently submissive to their husbands, someone who thinks a woman should always prioritize her husband's interests over her own.... how is a therapist with those convictions supposed to understand a woman struggling with a marriage where she refuses to be patriarchal, or one who has chosen to leave such a marriage behind?.....
.....
....I'm especially curious about your thoughts on whether a client has a right to know if their therapist is superstitious..... you know, someone who believes in ghosts, bad karma, or all that stuff.....
....

Yes, I firmly believe it is their fundamental job to act with total impartiality and professionalism. If a practitioner lacks the capacity for that, or if they harbor doubts about their own ability to remain objective, then in my view, the only logical course of action is for that individual to step down from their position or, depending on the specific circumstances, refer the client to another therapist. The latter happens quite frequently. For instance, it is not uncommon for romantic or physical attraction to develop between a patient and a therapist; in such cases, attempting to continue therapy would be incredibly difficult. Therefore, it is a sign of maturity and professional integrity when a therapist decides to hand a patient over to a colleague if they feel those feelings will impede the healing process.

driftinggull21 said:Yeah, right.🤣 As if we should just hand over our Social Security numbers too.🙄
A psychotherapist is entitled to their own personal views and opinions, but within the office, they must remain professional and objective. Anyone dissatisfied with their therapist is free to find another.

I bet they’d want a blood test next, and let's not forget about equipment size for the male therapists, obviously.😍