If your therapist starts to get personal with you during therapy sessions, it can be a concerning and potentially inappropriate behavior. Therapists are trained professionals who are ethically bound to maintain appropriate boundaries in the therapeutic relationship. When a therapist gets personal, it means they are sharing personal information or experiences from their own life rather than focusing on the client's needs and concerns.
Here are some potential implications and concerns when a therapist gets personal with a client:
Breach of professional boundaries: Therapists are expected to maintain professional boundaries to protect the client's well-being and the integrity of the therapeutic relationship. Getting personal blurs these boundaries and can compromise the objectivity and safety of the therapy process.
Shift of focus: When a therapist starts sharing personal information, the focus of the therapy session may shift away from the client's needs and challenges. This can prevent the client from fully exploring their own issues and feelings.
Loss of objectivity: Sharing personal experiences might influence the therapist's ability to remain neutral and objective, potentially impacting their ability to provide unbiased guidance and support.
Power dynamics: Therapy is designed to be a relationship where the client can be open and vulnerable while the therapist maintains a professional, supportive role. If the therapist starts getting personal, it can create confusion and unequal power dynamics within the therapeutic relationship.
Impact on trust: Sharing personal information might affect the client's perception of the therapist's competence and professionalism, potentially leading to a breakdown in trust.
Emotional burden: Clients may feel obligated to reciprocate personal sharing or take on the role of supporting the therapist, which can be emotionally taxing and unhelpful for their own therapeutic process.
If you find yourself in a situation where your therapist is getting personal during sessions, it's essential to address the issue directly. You can express your concerns about the change in dynamics and discuss how it's affecting your therapeutic experience. If the behavior persists or you feel uncomfortable discussing it with the therapist, you may consider seeking guidance from a supervisor (if the therapist works within an organization) or consider finding a new therapist who maintains appropriate professional boundaries.
Remember that therapy should primarily be about your well-being and growth, and any behavior that undermines this objective should be addressed.