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AIBU?

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Aibu - really worried I’ve started a war

113 replies

joao2570 · 09/04/2025 21:06

so I met this woman I liked (we were both married). She was my therapist at the time and we ended up having a bit of a weird dynamic, nothing sexual happened but lines were definitely crossed, tbink whatsapping me hotels, trying to choose my nanny, wearing revealing clothing, asking me every week if I’d made my decision about leaving my husband, talking about trips we would take together etc. maybe we got a bit bffs maybe we were having an emotional affair. Idk.

My husband and I were in a very toxic relationship. He held me down and suffocated me. When I disclosed it to her, she encouraged me not to report and instead tried to help me to leave him on my terms - or so I thought.
It all came to a head. She had been encouraging me to take a trip away from my husband and children for my well-being. When I got back, my husband and I had another terrible fight and he really hurt me. I messaged her and got really angry with her. I told her I didn’t want her to be my therapist and blamed her for not reporting the initial violence. I said she had put me and my children at risk and threatened to report her. She apologised, said she had only been trying to help and then ghosted me.
A week or so later, I apologised and asked to see her again to sort it out (I felt like I’d blamed her for something that wasn’t really her fault). She ghosted me. I left my husbands, I tried to move on with my life and respected her wishes.

Five months later, she started popping up again in WhatsApp group chats (we are part of a small community, both our children were similar ages). One of them was a group for single mums. I just ignored her at first, thought she was just reintegrating in the community and tried to peacefully coexist.

Then she got weird. In a chat thread I’d already commented on, she posted about domestic violence, even though it hadn’t been explicitly mentioned. She encouraged someone to report domestic violence, the exact opposite of what she told me to do at the time. Unfortunately for her, it wasn’t in the vibe of the conversation and the other mothers shot her down. She ended up leaving this group in the end.

However she stayed in some other groups and then when my best friend asked for a recommendation, she told her to message her. This is when I snapped. I genuinely felt baited by this point - bff and I are publicly besties and everyone knows. There’s no way ex therapist couldn’t have.

I asked for a recommendation about something, framing it as a joke. I didn’t mention any names but it specifically pointed at something incriminating I knew she had done. Nobody else did and thought it was hilarious - I got a lot of laughing emoji reactions. I expected her to block me and leave the groups. She read the messages but didn’t do anything else.

My friend said that ex-therapist probably really liked me and wanted to check in on me. So I apologised and sent a very nice message to her, nothing incriminating, just offering peace and to clear the air if she wanted. She didn’t reply but on the same days is reading my group chat messages, as if to make a point of saying ‘I’m ignoring you.’ She hasn’t left groups, hasnt blocked me, hasnt sent a brief message saying ‘all good vibes let’s move on separately’ (which, considering the likelihood of bumping in to each other, imo would be the most professional thing to do).

Did I overreact in this situation? Have I been the asshole? Or was I justified? Do you think she will just ghost me again now or have I started a war? And am I being a complete drama llama about this whole thing in the first place?

OP posts:
Namechangean · 10/04/2025 00:23

Ladamesansmerci · 10/04/2025 00:12

OP hasn't done anything wrong though. The point of therapy is often to sort through relational issues, and depending on the type of therapy, weird dynamics and conflict are very normal and helpful for the therapy! A good therapist maintains boundaries, explores them curiously, and will openly discuss what dynamics might be at play and why.

That’s what I’m saying, it’s the therapists job to nip any boundary crossing relationship in the bud. It’s not unusual for people to form inappropriate attachments to their therapist but that’s what therapists are trained to prevent, but the therapist seemingly has encouraged something that to OP appeared to be an emotional affair and put her at risk

BoredZelda · 10/04/2025 00:18

Why don’t you just block her on WhatsApp?

BoredZelda · 10/04/2025 00:14

findingnibbles · 09/04/2025 22:15

Clicked to check if it was Donald Trump posting.

Report her to the BACP.

Edited

Me too!

Ladamesansmerci · 10/04/2025 00:12

Namechangean · 10/04/2025 00:05

I don’t think that’s really the point though, sharing hotels is inappropriate as it’s a professional relationship not a personal one. It’s a blurring boundaries to send messages like friends as OP has described. I’m not a therapist but I’m a professional with a regulatory body and I wouldn’t do that, as I damn sure would leave any WhatsApp groups with currrent or ex-clients in.

OPs also shown that she had crossed boundaries by trying to make her jealous and there was a toxic relationship forming, which I know can happen in these relationships, but the Therapist job to maintain appropriate boundaries

OP hasn't done anything wrong though. The point of therapy is often to sort through relational issues, and depending on the type of therapy, weird dynamics and conflict are very normal and helpful for the therapy! A good therapist maintains boundaries, explores them curiously, and will openly discuss what dynamics might be at play and why.

Ladamesansmerci · 10/04/2025 00:09

joao2570 · 09/04/2025 21:39

Yes exactly like that

OP, I'm a mental health nurse, and have also seen a private therapist for like 6 years. You sound very confused and I'm not surprised. It's absolutely normal ON YOUR BEHALF to experience some strange dynamics in therapy, be it you feel like your therapist is a parent figure, you view them romantically etc. A good therapist will maintain strong boundaries, and those feelings (called transference) can be used very productively in your therapy to help you reflect on past and present attachments/relationships in your real life. I experience a lot of strange feelings towards my therapist. I care about her a lot, and see her in a motherly way, which we discuss openly to explore my childhood. That's fine and a normal part of therapy.

Your therapist has crossed many boundaries. They have behaved in a very unethical way imo. Therapists shouldn't be recommending you hotels and sending WhatsApp messages outside of sessions. The only time I email my therapist is if I'm having some kind of mental health saga (but there is no expectation for her to respond) or to arrange sessions.

The most concerning part is that your husband committed a high risk assault (suffocation) and that she didn't safeguard it. She wouldn't necessarily need to for you as you're an adult with capacity, but you have children in the house, which makes it mandatory reporting!

All the ghosting etc is also unethical. Good endings (and conflict!) are an important part of therapy. An ethical therapist should not be hanging out in the same social WhatsApp groups as you!

Namechangean · 10/04/2025 00:05

ChompandaGrazia · 09/04/2025 23:14

I think you might have been reading far too much into the interactions between you. Suggesting hotels that you might like for a holiday is very different to suggesting hotels to go to together. What do you mean about ‘trying to choose your nanny’? Could she be wearing revealing clothes because she liked them? Asking if you have left your husband sounds like a normal thing for the therapist to ask.

The rest of it seems odd but I think the attraction might have been one sided.

I don’t think that’s really the point though, sharing hotels is inappropriate as it’s a professional relationship not a personal one. It’s a blurring boundaries to send messages like friends as OP has described. I’m not a therapist but I’m a professional with a regulatory body and I wouldn’t do that, as I damn sure would leave any WhatsApp groups with currrent or ex-clients in.

OPs also shown that she had crossed boundaries by trying to make her jealous and there was a toxic relationship forming, which I know can happen in these relationships, but the Therapist job to maintain appropriate boundaries

Namechanged4obviousreasons · 10/04/2025 00:04

It seems like you’re actually enjoying the drama and hoping there’s something in it. Get a new therapist if you need one and block her…done.

joao2570 · 09/04/2025 23:56

ChompandaGrazia · 09/04/2025 23:53

It’s the say that she is like your daughter and then calling her hot. That’s really nasty. And what does her level of hotness have to do with her being a good cleaner. I think there is a lot going on with you being in a toxic relationship with a man but then lusting after your female therapist and cleaner!

I think you are reading a lot into this that isn’t there. I don’t lust after my cleaner - I just described her as hot because it’s a word I would use with lots of my female friends. Like you look 🔥 I didn’t lust after my therapist either. I just want a drama free life, live in a small community and don’t want to have started a war

OP posts:
ChompandaGrazia · 09/04/2025 23:53

menopausalfart · 09/04/2025 23:47

@joao2570 I think it's more the fact that you mention daughter and hot in the same sentence.

It’s the say that she is like your daughter and then calling her hot. That’s really nasty. And what does her level of hotness have to do with her being a good cleaner. I think there is a lot going on with you being in a toxic relationship with a man but then lusting after your female therapist and cleaner!

joao2570 · 09/04/2025 23:51

menopausalfart · 09/04/2025 23:47

@joao2570 I think it's more the fact that you mention daughter and hot in the same sentence.

Yes can see how that might have come across actually 🙄🤦‍♀️
to clarify - my cleaner is like my daughter in that I fuss over her if she leaves late and want her to get home safe. I am only 28 myself. We are very close but nothing weird has ever happened with us. I just think she’s a very beautiful person both inside and out. Should have chosen the word beautiful.

OP posts:
menopausalfart · 09/04/2025 23:47

@joao2570 I think it's more the fact that you mention daughter and hot in the same sentence.

joao2570 · 09/04/2025 23:44

ChompandaGrazia · 09/04/2025 23:34

a very hot 20 something who is like my surrogate daughter

Sorry but that comment is grim.

I’m sorry should I have used the word beautiful? A bit millennial here with the language choices.
wouldn’t be offended if someone called me very hot 😂

OP posts:
ChompandaGrazia · 09/04/2025 23:34

joao2570 · 09/04/2025 23:31

Ok so I agree, and I was doubting myself. So I sent her an email about how much I adored my cleaner (a very hot 20 something who is like my surrogate daughter) to see how she would react and she tried to get me to sack her. She’d found Nannie’s and cleaners and was sending them to me via WhatsApp. I’m not even sure I was attracted to her. I certainly adored her as a person and valued her support.

completely agree though that the other things are all explainable. That’s why I said specifically I wasn’t sure whether we’d gotten to bffs or had an emotional affair. I just knew the dynamic was weird

a very hot 20 something who is like my surrogate daughter

Sorry but that comment is grim.

joao2570 · 09/04/2025 23:32

findingnibbles · 09/04/2025 23:10

I hear the BACP ask them to write essays reflecting on what happened! 🤦🏻 I would report if only for the admin and inconvenience.

This reassures me. I don’t want her to lose her job but I do want her to think more carefully about the impact her behaviour has in the future

OP posts:
joao2570 · 09/04/2025 23:31

ChompandaGrazia · 09/04/2025 23:14

I think you might have been reading far too much into the interactions between you. Suggesting hotels that you might like for a holiday is very different to suggesting hotels to go to together. What do you mean about ‘trying to choose your nanny’? Could she be wearing revealing clothes because she liked them? Asking if you have left your husband sounds like a normal thing for the therapist to ask.

The rest of it seems odd but I think the attraction might have been one sided.

Ok so I agree, and I was doubting myself. So I sent her an email about how much I adored my cleaner (a very hot 20 something who is like my surrogate daughter) to see how she would react and she tried to get me to sack her. She’d found Nannie’s and cleaners and was sending them to me via WhatsApp. I’m not even sure I was attracted to her. I certainly adored her as a person and valued her support.

completely agree though that the other things are all explainable. That’s why I said specifically I wasn’t sure whether we’d gotten to bffs or had an emotional affair. I just knew the dynamic was weird

OP posts:
Fadesto · 09/04/2025 23:19

joao2570 · 09/04/2025 22:28

No an actual bps therapist.

a bit shocked by everyone telling me to report. This woman has children. I don’t want to put them through this.

I’m shocked you’re shocked.

menopausalfart · 09/04/2025 23:17

You don't want to put her children through this, what about the people who go to see her for help?
She needs to be reported.

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 09/04/2025 23:16

She's bang out of order and very weird.

I would avoid her socially at all costs.

Don't contact her in any way at all. She's strange and manipulative.

ChompandaGrazia · 09/04/2025 23:14

I think you might have been reading far too much into the interactions between you. Suggesting hotels that you might like for a holiday is very different to suggesting hotels to go to together. What do you mean about ‘trying to choose your nanny’? Could she be wearing revealing clothes because she liked them? Asking if you have left your husband sounds like a normal thing for the therapist to ask.

The rest of it seems odd but I think the attraction might have been one sided.

Ohnobackagain · 09/04/2025 23:13

@joao2570 I’d be making new groups and inviting in the other members, if she has joined yours to kind of watch you and BF. She sounds very weird. I’d have no further contact with her.

findingnibbles · 09/04/2025 23:10

FagsMagsandBags · 09/04/2025 23:07

This woman needs to be reported and struck off, or whatever happens to therapists who cross every professional line and should not be doing the job they're intrusted with!

I hear the BACP ask them to write essays reflecting on what happened! 🤦🏻 I would report if only for the admin and inconvenience.

TheSilentSister · 09/04/2025 23:09

You should definitely report for what she said to you in one to one therapy.
Plus she crossed a boundary when she continued to be a member of a forum you were on. She hasn't acted professionally at all.
You gave her the option to clear the air but she's ignored you.
Not your problem but if she can affect you like this, if she's not stopped, she could do it to others.

FagsMagsandBags · 09/04/2025 23:07

This woman needs to be reported and struck off, or whatever happens to therapists who cross every professional line and should not be doing the job they're intrusted with!

joao2570 · 09/04/2025 22:59

Namechangetry · 09/04/2025 22:35

Oh well just let her carry on telling DV victims not to leave until a woman or her children are killed then. That's better than putting her children through what exactly? Most she'll get is struck off from her professional body and have to do a different job, it's not a prison offense!

Fair point

OP posts:
findingnibbles · 09/04/2025 22:36

joao2570 · 09/04/2025 22:28

No an actual bps therapist.

a bit shocked by everyone telling me to report. This woman has children. I don’t want to put them through this.

The worst they could do is kick her out of whatever professional body she voluntarily belongs to (they won’t, they are toothless). Therapy is unregulated (unbelievably), so it’s not possible for her to be struck off. Your sense of responsibility for her personal circumstance is also misplaced and just demonstrates further how inappropriate her behaviour has been – any consequences she faces for her professional misconduct are her responsibility and hers alone to bear. A client should not know so much about their therapist on a personal level and should not feel the need to worry about the therapist’s wellbeing. Again, this reflects the boundaries she has crossed and how she has mismanaged the relationship. It’s not a reflection on you.

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