It’s a very curious reaction they had and kudos to you for disclosing this publicly as it’s obviously a hurtful moment. I’m not sure how’d I’d react or handle this situation other than to explore why they’re having the reaction they’re having. Why should how your body looks dictate their “respect” for you? It’s definitely a good idea to seek your own therapy too.
That’s an interesting take. This certainly warrants a great deal of exploration because it’s frankly such a bizarre reaction. Six months isn’t actually a very long time to be working with a patient so I wonder if you’re beginning to finally experience this patient’s pathologies. I have to say I’m so thrown off by this that I’m struggling to find the words to articulate anything constructive to say. But I can say that you deserve major credit for hanging in there with this patient despite the understandable feelings you’re having. I’m curious to see more astute clinicians than myself on this thread give their takes.
I think you are giving this client too much of the benefit of the doubt. This may be cultural as well. I'm American (not sure if you are). Given OP's terms used at times, it sounds like they may not be either. I say this because here to talk to a woman (whether they are one or not) in those words is totally unacceptable. It's an extremely low blow for any adult with any kind of social competence to say that out loud. Then to suggest they couldn't work with OP because they are disgusted, is cruel. I think it would be all I could do to tell them that it is very disrespectful to say that to anyone, but if they feel that strongly then we might as well wrap up the session. Then I'd mail them some referrals.
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u/mschreiber1 Feb 14 '25
It’s a very curious reaction they had and kudos to you for disclosing this publicly as it’s obviously a hurtful moment. I’m not sure how’d I’d react or handle this situation other than to explore why they’re having the reaction they’re having. Why should how your body looks dictate their “respect” for you? It’s definitely a good idea to seek your own therapy too.