I'm a type 1 diabetic, diagnosed 23 years ago at 8 years old, and I recently got sensors to help me control my levels better. Unfortunately this means I'm being woken up by a low alarm every other night. Usually I just treat the low and accept that I'm losing sleep but sometimes I just cannot be bothered. The thought of not waking up because I died in my sleep from low sugar doesn't seem too bad so I silence my alarm and go back to sleep. Obviously this hasn't killed me yet, but I am aware that dead in bed syndrome is a real risk. I've never considered myself actively suicidal. I've definitely had moments of wishing I wasn't alive but I've never seriously considering doing anything.

I recently started seeing a psychologist and want to bring this up but always end up finishing my sessions without having mentioned it. I've only done 7 sessions so far and am still trying to get comfortable with the whole process and this feels like a lot to say out loud. I have written things down so I can show her my notes if I feel I won't be able to say it, but even showing her that fills me with anxiety. I was hoping to get some insight into how this information would be taken and how she might approach it. I think knowing what I could be going into would help me be able to face it. I guess I don't know if ignoring my low sugar levels counts as being actively suicidal and if she's going to think this is a lot more serious than I consider it to be. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

TL;DR: I'm autistic and have repeatedly tried to make friends without developing the meaningful connections I need. Generic reassurance and advice like "put yourself out there" haven't helped. I'm looking for practical, potentially hands-on therapeutic support with building individual friendships in ways that accommodate my communication style and limitations. What can a therapist realistically help me with, and what might that look like in practice?

I'm looking for some perspective, particularly from therapists, about what therapy can realistically offer someone in my situation. I'm also writing this with a future therapist in mind, because I want to be able to communicate what I've been struggling with and work on it concretely rather than having to reconstruct everything from scratch.

I'm tired of being told that I deserve friendship or that I'll eventually find my people. I understand the sentiment, but after trying repeatedly to make friends without getting the connections I need, reassurance alone doesn't help me understand what might actually change.

I'm autistic, I struggle with small talk and initiating interactions, and waiting for others to approach me often feels like the safest option. I want deep, emotionally meaningful friendships with people who can accommodate my communication style and meet me halfway.

My main question is: What can a therapist realistically do to help me build meaningful friendships, given these difficulties?

I'm not necessarily asking to become more socially capable in the conventional sense. I'm looking for a realistic path toward connection that accounts for how I actually function.

For example, I may need help with the practical steps involved in developing individual friendships: moving beyond an initial interaction, maintaining contact, navigating uncertainty as a relationship develops, and figuring out what to do when an approach isn't working.

I may understand what I'm supposed to do in theory, but that doesn't mean I know how to navigate it in practice. Advice to initiate conversations, put myself out there, or join activities doesn't address the parts I struggle with most. I may need someone to break things down into manageable steps, help me work through specific situations, and provide guidance as I put those steps into practice.

I'm wondering whether this kind of practical, step-by-step support is something a therapist can provide, and what it might look like.

Group settings aren't a realistic option for me, so I need approaches that don't depend on joining groups or attending social activities I can't comfortably participate in. I'm looking for ways to develop individual connections that work with my communication style, autistic needs, and existing strengths.

Another difficulty is that I don't currently have an in-person support system to help me navigate this process. I can't rely on a friend to help me build friendships when I don't have that kind of friend in the first place.

I don't expect a therapist to guarantee that I'll find close friends or to predict the future. I understand that some aspects of friendship are outside my control, because relationships depend on other people, too. However, I do want help distinguishing what's realistically changeable from what's outside my control, identifying approaches that might work better for me, and adapting those approaches when they don't work.

I'm discouraged and exhausted because I've tried repeatedly without getting the results I'm looking for, not because I haven't wanted connection or been willing to try.

I'd appreciate therapists' perspectives on a few questions:

What can therapy realistically help with in a situation like mine?

Can therapy include practical, step-by-step guidance with developing and maintaining individual friendships, rather than just general social advice?

How might a therapist adapt their approach for an autistic client who struggles with initiating interactions and can't comfortably participate in group settings?

If a client needs support implementing strategies in real-life situations, what kinds of support can a therapist offer, and what would fall outside their role?

How can therapy help someone build a support system when they don't already have friends or other people to lean on?

I'm not asking for a guarantee of a happy ending. I want to understand what options are realistically available, what a therapist might be able to help me work toward, and how to approach this in a way that respects my limitations rather than expecting me to force myself into methods that don't work for me.

Thank you for reading.

I had an appointment on Monday with a therapist I haven't been seeing for long, and I was fairly sure that I wouldn't be returning for a sixth appointment. There wasn't anything in particular, we just weren't really clicking and she seemed determined to stick to CBT even though I mentioned that I was struggling. Anyway, long story short, about forty minutes in she told me: "Happiness is a choice."

I was already upset, but I kinda laughed, said "I think we're done here" and walked out. Obviously I'm not going back but I can't decide if it's worth making a complaint about. I do understand that learning not to focus only on negative things is important and that sometimes you do have to actively try not to let yourself get into a pit of despair, but that isn't what she said. She really told someone who's been clinically depressed for 25 years "Happiness is a choice."

I'm not exactly wallowing in it over here because I've got great friends who helped me see the funny side but I'm concerned that saying something like that to someone a bit less resilient might do actual harm.

I'd appreciate your thoughts!

What type of person do you like to work with the most?

First- I still love her. I do what I can to help her. I have boundaries now, but she will always be my sister. We are 2 years apart. There have always been two sides to my sister.

At 18 months old my mother took me to the doctor for a well visit. They asked her about the bruises on my legs… they were on my lower legs, small (dime size) bruises. My mother said she had been wondering as well…. CPS came… my mother felt intensely guilty thinking somehow while changing my diaper it happened… maybe a bruised easily- blood work was normal…. She then started to notice that I was almost always content but at times would start crying loudly out of nowhere when her attention was elsewhere….. then she realized it only happens when my sister (4 years old) was near me….

CPS followed up…. There were more bruises. She had tried to separate us but by the time she figured it out they were already in the process of removing me. She sent me to my grandmother (an absolute angel of a human who I miss dearly). She followed shortly after once she was aloud and for 3 years we all lived there together.

Eventually my dad came back to the country. CPS eventually released the supervisor etc they had when the bruises stopped.

Fast forward to me being 16. Many things had happened. One time she tricked me into closing my eyes as she drove our golf cart and jumped out just as it went down a hill/mini cliff into a creek and told my parents I did it…

A few months after that she stabbed me with a knife from the butcher block in my other grandmother’s kitchen (not the one I had previously lived with)

It was Christmas Eve. We had spent the day with family. We had finished dinner. It was only 7pm… my parents and aunts + uncles went out for “desert”… I was at my grandparents home with just me, my sister and my then 6 year old brother….

She got mad because after I put my brother to bed I went to the living room and sat down in what apparently was her spot… I told her she was being ridiculous as she screamed at me. I walked into the kitchen….

I then realized she had followed me. I turned around to tell her to let it go and her face changed… she went from mad to HAPPY

the look in her eyes told me I was in danger.

The next thing I know she is grabbing a 6 inch knife… I tried to react… the only thing I had in reach was a bottle of windex…. I sprayed it into her face but I was too late- she had already made contact.

There wasn’t pain at that moment just an awareness that just below my clavicle on the right side on my chest there was a knife lodged there….

Thank God for windex!! She released the knife to put her hands on her face. I RAN!!

But this is Michigan in December. And my brother is still inside. I can’t just run outside… I locked myself in a bathroom. I called my parents and then police… but she was there… first banging the door and screaming at me. Then using a soft voice and laughing saying “I’m sorry I was playing, didn’t mean to do it” as she tried to pick the lock. I opened the window and started to climb out but she heard me somehow…. She was then outside laughing, holding the knife and opening the window….

The cops came. My brother was my first thought. I ran to him, held him and cried after they came inside and she was telling them how I was making it all up

Recently shared something with my T that I have never told a single soul about for over 30 years that included childhood abuse and revictimization in my teens. I ended up having a panic attack after she tried to explore it with me. She then stated that she wanted me to learn coping skills before unpacking it all. That was about 3 or 4 sessions ago. And all I've been taught is containment skill for racing thoughts, typical deep breathing, and to distract myself.

Today I went to session with a paper of my written feelings. I tell her I feel flooded with feelings that Ive never felt before following the disclosure, and I felt like I was grieving my childhood. She asked what I felt I needed and I told her to talk about them. All she said to that was asking me if I tried the coping skills and again she told me I should distract myself with exercise to help clear my mind.

I just feel so dismissed. I have a hard time sharing feelings and emotions and I feel I finally was able to share what I needed and got rejected. What's even the point then?

How can I talk to her about this? I don't even know where to begin.

One thing I'm low key worried about as I work towards my masters in MHC is crying lol

I am an empathy crier. Sometimes I cry just because someone else is. I think this is something I can generally stop if it's inappropriate; but there are certain triggers for me (specifically grief and dog loss) that I'm worried might make me start crying if a patient is talking about / crying about said subject.

Never thought about this until now!

I'm watching Ted Lasso and Lasso's ex-wife is seriously dating their former marriage counselor. That seems pretty inappropriate to me, like, you probably don't have the ethics to counsel people, inappropriate. Am I off-base? Is it cool? Frowned upon, but okay? Or getting reveiwed by an ethics board bad?

I'm on my third insurance with my T. Mostly due to my husband retiring. Having to get private coverage out of pocket. Then turning 65 and going on Medicare. With my other two plans, I always (and happily) had a co-pay. Now, I do not. Does that mean my T is making even less money? I feel kind of guilty about it.

A number of years ago, I was seeing a couple's therapist with my then-husband. He and I were together 14 years, and I had known him for about 23 years, since I was 17, so it was a very long-term relationship.

Long story short, his mistress of many years, with whom he had been living a double life and even bought a house in another state, reached out to me to tell me all about my husband's actions. That day, soon after learning a lot of devastating, life-changing info from his mistress, I reached out to the couple's therapist we were actively seeing at the time to tell her what had happened and request a last-minute appointment. I didn't want to talk with my husband unless someone else, ideally our therapist, was present. He got there first, and she took him in and spoke with him for a bit before allowing me in. When she allowed me in, she had very obviously been told lies by him and she told me I shouldn't believe the mistress. I told her that my husband is the one who had been lying to both of us (me and his mistress), which she didn't say anything to. I told him that I would be seeking divorce while we were in the therapist's office and then had a panic attack. Once I recovered from the panic attack, she ushered me out of the office and my ex stayed because apparently they needed to talk more?

Anyway, that part isn't truly relevant to my question. I'm getting in the weeds because it's a deeply emotional topic.

More relevant is this: I wasn't seeing any other therapist at the time, which she knew. I didn't want to have to go through my whole story with someone new, and I felt like the fit was good with her, so I asked her if she would continue to see me as a solo client. She told me she'd get back to me and then told me she didn't think it would be wise for her to do that. And that was it. She didn't refer me to anyone, and she didn't give me a reason (though, I'm guessing the possibility that she might be called to testify in a court proceeding might have been a factor maybe?). The ex put me through a lot of hell that she knew about. And she knew my life had just changed in a really big way. It felt really, really fucking shitty. I definitely felt abandoned in many ways.

So my question is this: Did she have a professional obligation to do more, to at least refer me to someone? Or does being a couple's therapist mean she's totally off the hook in the context of abandonment?

I've wondered this for many years and would just appreciate the insight. Thanks.

I've been going to my psychologist every 2-3 weeks for like 6 months now, and I'm just not sure if I'm making progress. Every session I feel like we can talk about a lot of stuff and there's always something missing. Im not always sure what my conclusions of the session should be and what I should do. I've been dealing for example with anxiety showing itself as a deep pressure in my lung and short of breath (not hyperventilating but I need to take deep breaths to make it go away) and I just can't tell what to do with that and/or what triggers it. I asked her directly and she couldn't really give me a real answer. I feel lost.

I have been seeing my therapist for about 5 years and he has been very patient and supportive this whole time. He has helped me tremendously, but I have an eating disorder and I have gotten to the point I’m having a really hard time being present and staying connected in sessions.

My brain fog is getting worse and I just can’t retain information or remember a lot of the work we are doing. I’m scared he might feel frustrated or think “oh my god we just keep going in circles, what’s wrong with her? she is not trying hard enough. What isn’t clicking? I don’t know what to do with her. She’s wasting my time. Why is she even showing up?”

I wouldn’t ever ghost him because I want to be respectful, but I do think I’m going to reach out and say “hi, I would like to take a break and stop sessions. I will reach out in the future if/ when I’m able to start back up again. Thanks so much for your patience.”
Does that sound okay? Would you be offended or annoyed by a client quitting suddenly, after putting in so much time, energy and work in?

I am now over the age of 30 and I had some abuse that took place. If I talk to her about that and the abuser doesn't have access to any children - is she meant to report it? Based in CA.

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I really appreciate this community- I've learnt a lot here.

I have a really great social worker who I've started doing trauma work with him.

I get really dissociated and really flat in session. I always worry it's hard for him to feel connected to me or that I'm making it hard to care which I know is probably connected to trauma stuff.

He was really careful to say he is engaged and interested when I shut down but that I'm experiencing something real shifting in our connection because he feels super foggy when I shut down, and we are less connected.

I know I'm over reacting in a sense but all I heard was - at my most vulnerable, I'm making it hard for someone to care, be connected to me, and want to support me.

I guess I'm looking for some perspective on how therapists feel when their clients dissociate? What thar lack of connection is? Does it make it harder to care and connect? I am not totally sure why they told me thst too?

I'll bring it up with them. I just feel so hurt and am trying to get perspective before seeing him again

Thanks everyone.

I was terminated abruptly from my former therapist after expressing interest in filing an ethics report against the clinic owner. I have since sent a notice requesting my records within 30 days. I was refused under the bizarre claim it "would cause harm for me to view my own records". There was no reason given for this claim, nor have I ever expressed any reason I am aware of that viewing my own records would cause me harm.

I sent a follow-up at 37 days, again requesting records, and pointing out that federal guidelines for refusals were not followed. The response I got is that they are still refusing, no further ressoning was given, and that any further contact with the clinic will result in a harassment order. Neither of my messages were harassing, they were legal templates stating my rights and requesting records.

At this point, I am stumped as to what to do. I have reached out to a few attorneys, but they only seem interested in trial cases, not helping me get my records. Can therapists really just refuse with no consequence? Do any therapists here have any thoughts for what to do about a therapist that is blatantly disregarding ethics and laws regarding records? I did report to HHS, but, sounds like that can take months to years, if anything is even done at all.

To keep a complex situation simple, I've been seeing my therapist for about 4 years now and we've hit a point of disconnect for a while now. They're an incredible person who's been with me through some life situations that would've ended me on my own. They've guided my trauma recovery to a place I never believed I could reach. Yet, we've been at a disconnect for several months now. We talked about it and they're suggesting a break for a few months or moving on to a new therapist. Their suggestion is from a place of care and I hold great admiration for them yet I've stalled. We are rarely on the same page anymore. How do I figure out what I need?

Hey everyone,

I’m currently running my virtual clinic out of a spare bedroom in my house. Right now, it’s completely empty except for my desk!

I’ve been trying to gather inspiration on Pinterest, but almost everything that pops up looks like a physical therapy clinic or a traditional face-to-face office space.

Since I essentially have a long blank wall behind me, I want to make it look warm, professional, and welcoming on camera without feeling cluttery or cold.

If you run a virtual practice, I’d love to know:

• What does your background setup look like? (Feel free to drop photos)
• What elements or decor made the biggest difference in making your space feel cozy and friendly on video?
• Any tips for lighting or wall decor that translates well on camera?

Thanks in advance for any ideas or inspiration!

The title says it all. I live in Canada and have graduated with a BA in Psych - which I lowkey regret, I wish I had gone into social work instead. I am aware an MSW is often required for therapists so I am working towards entering a foundational MSW program for that. That will need hours and hours of human services work.

Currently, I am working as a behaviour interventionist for several children which I thought was a good first step. But idk where to go from here? Where I can get hours, what experiences matter most, etc. etc. If I can get any advice, that would be awesome! I am aware Child and Youth Support Worker jobs exist but those often need a separate certificate and I’d like to avoid getting that if I am planning to get an MSW in the future.

But final question, is it possible to be a therapist without an MSW?

I appreciate any help!

I’m preparing to transfer from my uni’s community college (40 credits) next spring, and declare a major. My dream is to become a counselor, and my long term goal is to complete my M.S. in CMHC, become licensed, and enter private practice.

I’m considering both human development & family systems and psychology as majors. I plan to minor in one or the other as well (also considering sociology as a minor if I decide on psych as a major). Why study HDFS over psychology, in the context of counseling? Would both of these options provide a solid foundation for graduate school/practicing as a counselor? Would studying HDFS be beneficial to working with individuals and couples/families?

Hi therapists,

I'm 18F, and I've been struggling with maladaptive daydreaming for past 6 years, but lately it has become increasingly difficult to manage. I'm posting here because I genuinely need some guidance on understanding what's happening to me and what I can do about it.

My daydreaming involves getting deeply immersed in imaginary storylines and playing out characters and scenarios in my head. I know that these scenarios aren't real, but I feel strongly attached to them and find it extremely difficult to stop once I get immersed.

The biggest problem is how much it's affecting my actual life and I have seen a consistent decline in my academics because of this

I have college, studying, competitive exams but I keep losing hours to daydreaming. Sometimes I intend to study or sleep at a reasonable time, but I get pulled into a storyline instead. My sleep schedule has become very irregular, and I've stayed awake until around 4 a.m. because I couldn't disengage from daydreaming. Nowdays every night i start at 10 pm and i need to force myself to go to bed every 4:40 am because I have my college at 9 am.. I've also missed college because of how much time I've lost.

My triggers seem to include listening to music with earphones, using my phone and watching edits or social media content, being alone, lying in bed at night, and having nothing engaging to do. However, it isn't just about these triggers anymore. Sometimes ordinary real-life activities themselves feel boring or emotionally empty compared with the imaginary world.

Something else that concerns me is what happens when I stop. After coming out of a long daydreaming episode, I can feel empty, emotionally drained, exhausted, and disappointed in myself. It can feel as though I've returned from a much more interesting world to a reality that I don't feel connected to. I then struggle to find the motivation to study or do anything else.

When I try to resist the urge, it can become intensely uncomfortable. I've experienced strong cravings to return to the storyline, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and sometimes shortness of breath. It can feel as though I can't settle down until I return to daydreaming.

This has turned into a frustrating cycle: I daydream for hours, realise how much time I've lost, feel awful about it, resolve to stop, and then find myself doing it again. I genuinely want to change, but simply telling myself to stop hasn't been enough.

I've also wondered whether I might have ADHD because of my difficulties with attention and procrastination, although I don't remember having these attention difficulties in childhood in the same way. also get impulsive and hyperactive. I understand that I can't determine this myself, and I'm not assuming that ADHD is the explanation.

I'm not currently ready to involve my parents or pursue therapy, so I've been trying to figure this out on my own. However, I'm beginning to realise that I may need a better understanding of what's going on rather than relying on willpower alone because for past 3 years i have been trying to come out of this but failed to do so

I'd really appreciate guidance on a few things:

1.How can I begin reducing this behaviour when resisting it makes me feel so restless and uncomfortable?

1. Are there any self-help strategies I can try, particularly for managing urges at night and protecting my sleep?

I'm not looking for a diagnosis from Reddit. I want to understand this pattern and find a way to regain control over my time, sleep, studies, and connection with real life.

Thank you for reading. Any thoughtful guidance would mean a lot to me.

I've spent 15 years trying to find a therapist who doesn't default to neutrality when abuse dynamics show up in session. I've seen many as a client and asked many more, and the pattern is the same: coercive control, DARVO-style reversal, one partner arguing in obvious bad faith — and the therapist stays neutral. The reason is always some version of "my ethics require it" or "I could get sued."

But the ethics codes seem to say the opposite:

- APA 3.04(a), "Avoiding Harm": psychologists must "take reasonable steps to avoid harming their clients/patients... and to minimize harm where it is foreseeable and unavoidable." (apa.org/ethics/code)

- NASW 1.02, "Self-Determination": "Social workers may limit clients' right to self-determination when... clients' actions or potential actions pose a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk to themselves or others." (socialworkers.org)

It gets stranger: many won't even provide basic relationship education — "listen without getting defensive," "don't use guilt or pressure to control someone" — taught to both partners equally. If even that counts as "taking sides," what does neutrality actually mean here?

So: is there an actual section requiring this, or is it a misunderstanding of neutrality? And what distinguishes therapists who do assess these dynamics — a specific training, modality, or approach I should look for?

I’m a junior getting my psychology degree (BA). My plan was always to become a therapist. Im based in Wisconsin(and plan to stay), I also plan to get my masters and eventually an LPCC. But the more I learn the more I worry this won’t be enough.

I’m thinking maybe I should switch and get my LCSW, but i’ve also heard pay concerns there. I’m just not sure what to do, i’d appreciate some guidance.

I'm a client for about one year. Next month my therapist is graduating and finally becomes a full on real therapist. I was thinking about giving her a small gift ie. origami art I've made to show my gratitude and congratulate her on this achievement. But I'm unsure if this is even allowed or comes across weird or inappropriate. What are your thoughts on this?

I just impulsively sent the link in an email. I don't want my therapist to feel like I am asking her to read the notes outside our designated time or like I am crossing boundaries by emailing her about therapy related stuff other than scheduling. I could be ruminating and catastrophizing for no reason, but I feel so nervous now. I do have OCD.

So rn I’m in Türkiye doing my Master’s. And I went to the psychiatrist to get evaluation, as I was under psychiatric care in Russia for years and needed receipts for pills. I chose someone near and with good reviews.

At the beginning everything was nice — I talked, we discussed pills, nothing suspicious. Then I went through test and they asked me to come back discuss the results. And that’s when the questionable part started.

During session he told me that he has grown attached to me and even hugged me (tho I clearly backed up). Then, he started lecturing me about needing to be more social, interrogating me about why I don’t have a boyfriend, and asking when I plan on getting one. He claims this will help me "open up."

Then he asked, "Don't you want a boyfriend?" I answered no and he kept on ensuring that going in dates will help me a lot.

Even when I told him that I am completely happy with my life the way it is, he insists that I need to be more social, adapt to local cultural norms, and find a boyfriend.

He went as far as saying, "You're such a pretty young woman, haven't people been offering you tea or coffee?" And I’m like whaaaat.

All in all, now I’m not sure I want to visit him again. From one point of view, he has good reviews and credentials, from other point of view he behaves STRANGE.

So idk, help me out Reddit