Psychology In Seattle Podcast When Therapy Harms
11 snips
Jul 18, 2025 
Dr. Kirk Honda, a clinical psychologist and host of a popular podcast, delves into the dark side of therapy, discussing how harmful practices can occur in the field. He shares his journey into psychology and the critical five-year learning curve for new therapists. Kirk highlights the startling lack of training on preventing harm and reveals the traits that often characterize problematic therapists. He advocates for systemic reforms in licensing and training, emphasizing the importance of accountability and better care for survivors.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Competence Is A Long, Wavy Road
- Kirk Honda describes therapist competence as a long, non-linear development with recurring doubt even after years of practice.
- He argues ethical competence is formally achieved early, but real confidence often takes about five years.
Therapist Insecurity Hides Harm
- Therapists carry insecurity because outcomes are hard to measure and improvement is subjective.
- That uncertainty leads many to avoid examining whether they may harm clients, worsening the problem.
Client Dropout After Premature Trauma Disclosure
- Kirk recounts a client who disclosed childhood sexual trauma and then dropped out after the session.
- He reflects that he should have paused and prepared her, because premature disclosure can retraumatize clients.