Edge of the Couch Who is The Villain?
May 21, 2025
Ever wondered what it’s like to be the villain in someone else’s story? The podcast dives into the tricky dynamics between therapists and clients, exploring how therapists can be seen as villains. It discusses the complexities of accountability, self-reflection, and the emotional responses that arise in therapy. Listeners will discover the importance of empathy and communication while navigating vulnerabilities. The conversation encourages a nuanced understanding of human relationships, highlighting how labeling someone a villain oversimplifies their story.
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Therapists and Villain Perception
- Being perceived as the villain in therapy is often about fit rather than true villainy.
- Clients may project roles based on mismatches and boundary issues rather than therapist faults.
Manage Client Missteps Mindfully
- Resist the urge to over-explain or apologize immediately after a client perceives a misstep.
- Sit with the discomfort and address it in relational therapy if the client continues with sessions.
Small Mistakes Shape Perceptions
- Allison shared instances where minor errors like misspelling a client's name impacted their perception.
- Repeated small mistakes can unfairly shape a client’s villain narrative about a therapist.