How to Spot a Bad Therapist

Published on September 13, 2024 by Zencare Team. Written by Paula Glashausser, LCSW.

Starting therapy is a big step and it’s common to want to find a “good” therapist and avoid “bad” therapists. To begin, I think it’s important to highlight that when we talk about “bad” therapists throughout this article, it should be noted that this is not the same as a therapist not being the right fit for you, or that they didn’t quite match your needs or style, but rather, that there were some legal,ethical or professional concerns. For therapists to become licensed and practice independently, which varies per state, they undergo lengthy training, many hours of supervised work, as well as needing to fulfill multiple state licensing,legal and ethical requirements. Nonetheless, even with so much training and red tape, bad apples sometimes make their way to the other side.

How do you know if someone is a “bad” therapist? It’s pretty difficult to tell early on, especially since your search will usually begin with reviewing online profiles, some being more basic than others. An online profile can provide some helpful information though, especially if you are considering certain criteria such as a specific gender identity, cultural background, therapeutic specialty, location, insurance contract, etc. Some clients may be looking for a therapist who will “challenge” them and provide assignments, while others may be looking for someone who primarily listens and offers support — we all need something different, and that’s okay.

Signs of a bad therapist

Aside from what you’ll find listed on a therapist’s online profile, it’s important to consider how you feel when you talk to them. Therapists are people too, and each person comes with their own set of experiences, unique personalities, and diverse skills. Consulting with a therapist provides you with an opportunity to get a feel for what confiding in them would be like, as well what their therapeutic style is – it’s important to come prepared with questions and to pay attention to any possible red flags.

So, if a therapist not being the right fit for me doesn’t make them “bad,” then what does? It’s imperative to keep an eye out for the following red flag behaviors:

Inappropriate Self-Disclosure – While therapists may sometimes share small details about their own lives to help relate to the client or assist in the therapeutic process, this should be done with caution. If you find that your therapist begins to make the sessions about them rather than about you, this is a significant concern.

Lack of Boundaries – Lacking boundaries can have a negative impact on the therapeutic relationship and can blur the professional lines that are set in place to keep the client safe. For example, your therapist is often contacting you outside of the scheduled therapeutic hour for reasons unrelated to your care. If you find that boundaries are being crossed and you begin to feel uncomfortable in sessions, you may want to consider ending care and finding a new therapist.

Dual Relationships – Therapy is helpful because the therapist isn’t an active participant in your daily life, hence, the therapist enters the professional therapeutic relationship with an unbiased perspective. If your therapist accepts your invitation, or they make a request, for a casual hangout, to go Coachella with you and your friends, or if they ask you to do work for them, such as be their secretary or babysit their dogs or kids, they will no longer be able to provide you with the level of care that is required for safe, healthy, and adequate treatment. Having any type of connection outside of the professional therapeutic relationship can potentially harm the client and is therefore an ethical concern.

Note: Therapists should not offer their friends and family treatment — that is also a conflict of interest and an ethical concern.

Non-Compliance with Privacy Policies – Every health care provider must comply with federal privacy, or HIPAA, regulations. If your therapist is disclosing your private information (name, demographics, content of your sessions, etc.) to others without your consent and/or a signed Release of Information (ROI), this is illegal. Not to mention, this is also unethical and can be damaging to the client and the therapeutic relationship. The only exception is if the therapist is discussing your case in a consultation group in order to help better navigate your treatment, however, the therapist must do their due diligence to limit what they share, including identifying information.

Sexual Misconduct – Any type of sexual behavior is illegal and unethical, and it is the therapist’s responsibility to ensure that this does not happen. In California, for example, The Department of Consumer Affairs states, “professional therapy never includes sexual contact between a therapist and a client. It also never includes inappropriate sexual suggestions, or any other kind of sexual behavior between a therapist and a client.” If these actions are taken by your therapist, you can file a complaint with their licensing board. This behavior is abusive and exploitative, and no client should ever have to experience this.

Telling You What to Do – If you find that your therapist is trying to tell you what to do (outside of any possible safety concerns) or gets upset with you for not doing what they asked, this is a huge concern. Therapists can guide you in exploring your needs and support you in deciding on your next steps, however, those choices are up to you. Clients are entitled to their right to self-determination, and therapists should foster and encourage healthy, independent decision making. Again, outside of safety concerns, it is up to you to make choices for your life.

Inappropriate Treatment – If a therapist finds that your needs are outside of their scope of practice, there are several steps they can take to ensure your safety, however, if continuing treatment is detrimental to your mental health and well-being, it is their responsibility to provide a viable referral to another therapist that has the skill set needed to treat you safely and ethically. Another example of inappropriate treatment would be if a therapist sees you as an individual and also provides you and your partner with couples therapy. This is a conflict of interest and can negatively impact the therapists’ ability to treat both the individual and the couple appropriately and ethically.

How do I know if a therapist is right for me?

A client could potentially do well seeing any therapist, however, if they feel comfortable, safe, and understood by the therapist they choose, the benefits of care may increase. As mentioned earlier, consultations are very important because it allows clients the opportunity to evaluate their connection with the therapist. After seeking consultation, consider asking yourself the following questions:

• Did it feel easy and comfortable to talk to them?
• Does it feel like I could trust this person and feel safe being vulnerable?
• Did I feel accepted for who I am, and that they weren’t judgmental?
• Did they bring their authentic self to the call?
• Did I feel heard and validated during the call?
• Did they share their scope of practice, explain important office policies, and discuss informed consent?
• Did they answer all of my questions?
• Were they clear on next steps?

These are all helpful things to be mindful of when choosing a therapist before starting, and even during sessions.

Keep yourself safe and prioritize your well-being

It is important to feel respected, valued, and heard in therapy. It’s also important to feel safe and trusting. But it is of the utmost importance to know that you are receiving treatment from a therapist who follows the ethical and legal guidelines set forth by their licensing board so that you and other clients can stay safe.

Seeing a “bad” therapist can unfortunately be quite dangerous and harmful, and you have the right to discontinue sessions anytime without explanation. Keep an eye out for red flags and listen to your gut – if things don’t feel right, they probably aren’t.

Disclaimer: This article is not therapeutic advice. If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, please call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for 24/7 free and confidential support. If this is an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.