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Are therapists as judgmental as people make them out to be?

38 Answers
Last Updated: 10/12/2020 at 3:56am
1 Tip to Feel Better
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Anna Pavia, psicologa psicoterapeuta psychotherapist psychologist counselor

Licensed Professional Counselor

I feel my work as my personal mission and I love it. My work with clients is nonjudgmental, supportive. I am a very good listener. I use several approaches. Amo il mio lavoro.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
April 8th, 2015 10:31pm
Any good therapist is non-judgemental, non-biased, and generally non-confrontational (exceptions apply to this, such as therapeutic confrontation). This means that whatever you bring to therapy is not judged or thought to be ridiculous or outlandish. These are your personal challenges are they are there to help. Bear ind mind that sometimes it may take a change of therapist to find someone you really 'click' with. Often times people who have bad experience with a therapist portrays them in a negative light. Sometimes people go to therapy with the idea that the therapist will give them all of the answers to their problems, and say 'this is what you need to do', but it does not usually happen. Judgmental feelings can sometimes happen when the therapist and client meet an impasse in therapy and the therapist raises a question or topic which is sensitive. Sometimes the client can feel like they are being judged when the therapist is trying to help them identify various things, such as negative thinking. If you feel this way, bring it up with your therapist.
Neil22713
April 1st, 2015 10:53pm
Therapists work for some individuals and not others but we all need someone to talk to. They are trained to not judge so if you find one that you do not feel comfortable with, DO NOT STAY! Their whole job is to help you understand things not hinder you
SarahG
March 24th, 2015 6:48am
Therapists are simply people - just like the listeners on 7 Cups. Not everyone is going to be perfect, or a right fit for you. If you're concerned about interacting with a therapist you can often times find online reviews of therapists in your area to help you make an informed decision.
Alwaysdreamin
April 10th, 2015 9:43pm
Therapists are trained to not be biased. They also work with many types of people and issues so they are usually not surprised at your problem or judgmental. This is their job as a professional. If you do have a therapist that you feel is judging you, find a new one. Most are kind, compassionate, and do not judge. It is in their job requirements and they do it everyday all day. If you have a therapist, trust them if you can. Good question.
Anonymous
October 10th, 2016 1:11am
Some might be?? lol Just as you can't assume every mechanic, painter, even priest is the same it is important to choose the right therapist. Ask a lot of questions, make your wants and needs clear. Trust your gut. I believe in open communication with my cients. If you disagree or are concerned just say it and we will talk through it.
Anonymous
February 1st, 2016 8:56pm
I honestly feel as if it does not make a difference if they are a judgmental or not. They are people like everyone else so there will always be judgement. They may be more accepting but it will not take away the judgement.
Anonymous
October 12th, 2020 3:56am
No, I don't believe therapists are as judgmental as people make them out to be. Therapists are trained professionals and are supposed to provide help without bias. It would be completely unprofessional for a therapist to be judgmental. By going in to this field, therapists should be passionate about their job and take their oath to help people seriously. I would strongly urge anyone who has felt judged by their therapist to seek a new one. There are many great therapists out there. And once you form a relationship with a good one, it is hard to compare it to anything else.
Ezekial
February 8th, 2016 3:30pm
Not at all. But sometimes a client and his/her therapist may just not be the right fit. It's all about finding the right one through trial and error. So if you have a bad experience with your first ever therapist, make sure to look for another and not just give up. Once you find the right one, the results are sublime! And you will know it when you find "the one" in a sense.
Anonymous
February 22nd, 2016 3:19am
Each therapist is different and some may come off as being judgmental and others may not. If you're looking for a therapist then I advise trying out multiple different ones to see who fits best.
adamabinta
February 22nd, 2016 8:59pm
Not usually. Most people who go into counseling or psychology have either experienced the consequences of stress and psychopathology themselves, or have a loved one who has endured these experiences. Subsequently, therapists are often more empathetic towards the struggles of others, because they know these struggles first-hand. Furthermore, a good therapist will have been well-educated, well-trained, and have come into contact with many people who struggle with mental health issues over the course of his/her career, hopefully expanding his/her understanding and appreciation for the nuances of human experience. However, therapists are human and their traits are as diverse as what you might find in the general population. A person who was judgmental and self-serving before he/she became a therapist might very well become a therapist who is judgmental and self-serving, but that is a reflection of the character of the individual, and is not a general representation of therapists.
Anonymous
April 12th, 2016 7:02pm
Some therapists are, not all of them are though. I have met some pretty cool therapists in my life time, they aren't too terribly bad.
Yupanqi78
July 5th, 2016 1:51am
Therapists do not make judgements. They will help you understand your own personal history and relate it with the specific issue you brought to therapy. They will not judge under any circumstances.
Anonymous
September 6th, 2016 12:46pm
The truth is everyone is judgemental. Some of therapists just don't let their judgement affect their work.
Anonymous
November 14th, 2016 2:55pm
No , therapists are only there to listen and help you , not judge.. Sometimes people confuse help as judging
considerateEmbrace86
December 27th, 2016 7:40am
It depends on the therapist. They may judge you on the inside but if they do on the outside you probably need to find a new therapist because that is a problem that should not be taking place. A therapist is here to help you and guide you through your problems they need to listen and help you get through them all while appealing to you. Some forms of judging may just be ways to help you dig a little deeper into the problem and may not be a bad thing but, if it just gets worse and truly bothers you try reaching out to a new therapist. Everyone is different and has there own ways of helping.
resourcefulbutterfly26
April 18th, 2017 3:50pm
Some may be, but most, are not. I have learned about certain ethics that therapists are expected to follow, and one of those is against being judgmental.
peacefulEyes24
December 5th, 2017 7:18pm
therapists are not judgmental...but some may have their thoughts and opinions set about a certain subject
AloneJoyful
December 18th, 2017 5:10am
I do not think all of them are. I have had quite a few different ones and they all were good. But I am sure there are ones that just don't have an open mind like others do. If there is one that you like, stay with that person. If you are not sure see if you can find someone else or see if someone can recommend someone for you.
FromDrewWithLove
February 5th, 2018 7:12pm
Not usually, though it depends on the therapist. Usually they're pretty kind and understanding, willing to take things at your personal pace while still pushing you a little to get better. They're usually good listeners as well. There are a few bad apples, sure, but overall, they're not as judgmental as people make them out to be.
Sageypie
February 27th, 2018 7:29pm
No, I've seen 3 therapists in my life and I feel like they try to be helpful. I never really had much success with them because it's impossible to fix mental illness but they do give good tips. Think of them more like a mentor for managing your mental state then a saving grace. (based on my own experiences, there are judgmental one out there, but the majority of them are doing what they are suppose to do).
mirandaverandah
July 2nd, 2018 12:33pm
No, not at all. Often those who go into psychology or therapy are actually some of the most non-judgemental and kind people you'll ever meet - they just want to help!
UniqueLife
June 6th, 2015 2:58pm
no. they are not supposed to judge you, or anything that resembles it. if that happens, please look for another therapist.
Anonymous
April 10th, 2015 9:24am
In my experience, some will be. As with any profession, there are very good and some not very good. Therapists are also people, and not robots, so clearly they will have some level of judgement; we all do. But the good ones will ignore any judgement they make on you and focus solely on why you are there, and try to work through your issues.
JaideS6
April 11th, 2015 3:23am
No! I've been to therapists and they are not judgmental at all! They helped me out a ton and they are there to listen and help you get through the situation you need help with! Try one out!!
MirauzeAkilah
April 17th, 2015 5:20pm
It all depends on what therapist you have, I tend to feel around before I talk to one. I try to get to know them, have a couple sessions with one before revealing anything to personal or deep. I have found not many are, and they keep everything confidential so it wouldn't matter anyways. They are there to help you not judge you.
Anonymous
April 23rd, 2015 1:33am
From my past experience, I would say no. I think it all depends on finding the right therapist for you. Luckily, I found the right therapist early in my search for professional help. It just depends on the therapist honestly.
Amanda9715
April 30th, 2015 12:44am
The therapist that I had, was not. It's a big part of their job to stay objective and make a safe place for you.
Rainbows94
May 8th, 2015 9:30am
From personal experience, therapists are non-judgmental. People might exaggerate and put stigma on mental health issues, which in fact they are mostly false. You can discuss any issues and the therapist treats you with dignity and respect. You could express actions you've done, your sexuality, and things that you might think someone would look down upon, but a skilled therapist never looks down on you and makes you feel accepted and loved.
Dovah
May 27th, 2015 6:40pm
A therapist is not at all judgmental. They're there to help you, not judge you, they aren't allowed to be judgmental, and they want to be there for you, and they wouldn't have gone into that profession if they didn't have you as their concern :}
caringBliss27
May 28th, 2015 4:22am
While some may be, most are just wanting to help you and give you the extra support you need to overcome your challenges. In order for therapy to be as beneficial as possible, you have to feel like you have a connection to your therapist. If you attend the first session and feel judged by them, it's time to try another therapist you feel comfortable with and trust. Don't be afraid to see different therapists until you find the one you feel is the best fit for you.