84. Are Therapists Substitute Parental Figures?

Very Bad Therapy

Attachment theory is one of the most credible areas in the field of psychotherapy. It is not, however, an excuse for a therapist to presume to be a substitute parental figure for a client. In this episode, Monika describes working with a therapist who talked about reparenting but undermined therapeutic progress with inconsistent boundaries and unethical behavior. Plus, Carrie takes a deep dive into the research on attachment between therapists and clients.

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Introduction: 0:00 – 6:07

Part One: 6:07 – 1:00:42

Part Two: 1:00:42 – 1:37:50

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Show Notes:

• Donate to The Mama Bear Effect
• How I Became Aware of My “Trauma Bond” With My Ex-Therapist
• Fifty psychological and psychiatric terms to avoid: a list of inaccurate, misleading, misused, ambiguous, and logically confused words and phrases
• The Implications of Attachment Theory in Counseling and Psychotherapy
• Attachment Theory and the Psychotherapy Relationship
• How Attachment Theory Works in the Therapeutic Relationship