Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Therapy?
When a little knowledge is a dangerous thing
An old friend asks to meet you for a drink.
She’s in high spirits, telling you she’s been in therapy to deal with some unresolved trauma. You’re in the middle of an animated discussion when she raises her hand: “Enough. You’re triggering me.”
“What?” You shake your head. You have no idea what you said wrong. But she hasn’t finished.
“It’s not okay,” she says with an accusatory tone. “You’re projecting your feelings onto me. I need you to hold a safe space for me when I’m being vulnerable. If you can’t do that, I’ll need to set boundaries around our friendship.”
Ouch, this feels like a personal attack. You’re glad she saw someone to help her deal with her past but — suddenly — you’re keen to set a few boundaries of your own.
This is a true story, condensed (and exaggerated) for effect. But it raises a good question: is there such a thing as too much therapy?
Therapy as a Weapon?
“Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” — Carl Jung.
When I first qualified as a psychologist, therapy had a mysterious air. Blame Freud for the…
