I decided to give a try with some talk-therapy. Nothing particularly troubling going on in my life, just thought it was worth trying and see how I may improve from it.

I am trying out an online service rather than in person and the therapist is int he USA. I have to say im really troubled by the policies in the USA regarding therapy. Specifically that a therapist is not allowed to legally treat you unless you provide contact information so if they think you are a threat to yourself or to others they can basically get you committed against your will. Its a requirement and if you wont give it they wont give you therapy.

This seems astoundingly reckless as a policy. for starters it would cause anyone who is suicidal to avoid the help they need, and second, it puts people at risk of either not being candid with their therapist or potentially being abused by the therapist if they misinterpret some perceived risk.

While I have never been suicidal I also dont trust anyone with that level of power over me. I am barely a few minutes in to therapy and already I was forced to lie about my name and identity. Something I should not need to do, I should have a right to privacy and anonymity if I chose.

#therapy #psychiatry #privacy