Discussion Do your therapists/psychiatrists get emotional?

[m1v]

Hello, I recently started seeing a psychiatrist again, and she's different from the one I used to see. Sometimes when I talk about more sensitive topics and start getting teary, she also gets teary.

I was wondering, does your psychiatrist ever cry with you? This is a first for me, and I'm not really sure how to feel about it. I don't mind it at all, it just caught me off guard. (and made me sad even more!) Usually when I see professionals they stay very composed and never cry.

I can't tell if she's trying to comfort me by sharing the emotion, or if she genuinely feels deeply affected by what I'm saying. Maybe it's both. I'm just not sure how to interpret it. Would love to hear you guys' experiences.

 

[LaetumCat]

I haven't been to many therapists/psychiatrists, but none of them ever cried or expressed negative emotion. Usually little to no emotion, and if soke emotion then it was usually surprise.

 

[Thia]

My old therapist cried once when I talked about my suicide ideation.

 

[doomedbynarrative]

Yep. A few sessions ago I told my therapist that I felt like my existence could be categorized as "cosmic trash" and I saw her facial expression just twist with pain for a second. She did really well as reeling it back in. I'm sure she had to take five after my appointment...

 

[NormallyNeurotic]

My therapist's face once very visibly twisted when I described some things related to my childhood, abuse, and suicidal ideation. So yeah.

 

[meiherasoru_]

Yes, they were always happy about my progress

 

[woodlandcreature]

no. they don't even listen.

 

[bobsacamano]

In my case looks of deep empathy and concern but never tears.

 

[ConfusedClouds]

Never tears from her. But a few times she looked solemn and made comments along the lines of 'this has been heavy' (which I was seemingly oblivious to). Kinda made me awkward and unsure - just like you - should I be appreciative of the acknowledgement/gesture, or unsure if it draws attention to my distinct lack of understanding/feeling.

 

[noname223]

I had a psychiatrist where I thought I could blow off my head in front of her and all she cares for was cleaning up the mess.

 

[derpyderpins]

My shrink looks at me with sad eyes for sure. I do most of the psychological analysis. She listens, takes notes, and gives meds that let me be a slightly-productive zombie. But, she definitely gets sad about some of the stuff I reveal/say.