What is a red flag for a therapist?

A major red flag is when a therapist dismisses or minimizes your feelings, especially when you bring up harm or discrimination. Other warning signs include breaking basic boundaries, such as oversharing about their personal life, trying to become your friend, or suggesting contact outside of session in non professional ways.

Pushing their own values about religion, politics, relationships, or identity is another concern. So is reacting defensively when you offer feedback or refusing to explain their approach clearly. If you are LGBTQ, it is a red flag if a therapist pathologizes your identity, pressures you to stay closeted, or treats queerness or transness as the problem. You deserve a therapist who is respectful, ethical, and collaborative.