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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think people would have a problem with their therapist having dreadlocks?

197 replies

Buddhagirl · 22/03/2013 23:11

I used to have dreads, I'm now a cognitive behavioural therapist. I want my dreads back but family have said it will have a negative impact on my job. I'm not sure.

How would you feel about seeing a therapist with crazy hair?

Inspired by a recent aibu post :-)

OP posts:
Schooldidi · 22/03/2013 23:13

I don't think I'd mind. I quite like the idea of a therapist being a bit different.

Nirvana1999 · 22/03/2013 23:13

Wouldn't bother me, infact it would probably make me more at ease for some reason.

Bluestocking · 22/03/2013 23:14

Wouldn't worry me at all. I like my therapists to be their own people.

AmberLeaf · 22/03/2013 23:14

Wouldn't make a difference to me at all. As long as you were a good therapist.

NorksAreMessy · 22/03/2013 23:15

My DD's therapist has wonderful hair. Not quite as brilliant as scarletlady's , but pretty dreaddy and felty. She is also pierced and tattooed.
DD said it immediately set her at ease and made her feel comfortable in a way that a suit and blouse and heels would not (too intimidating)

I expect it depends on your client base

AllPurposeNortherner · 22/03/2013 23:15

I personally would like it - I have pink hair and boots and crazy clothes etc and often feel judged by mental health professionals. I can see that some people might have issues with it though.

JollyGolightly · 22/03/2013 23:16

I would find it very distracting and would want to talk about your hair instead of my head.

TiaMariaandSpringCleaning · 22/03/2013 23:16

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest although I'd probably be distracted by admiring them when I should be listening to you!

IvorHughJangova · 22/03/2013 23:16

?! That's the weirdest thread title I've seen in a while!

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest, I doubt I'd notice. DH has bloody great tunnels in his ears, tattoos from toe to thigh and on occasion, a bright blue mohican. He's an intelligent man with a very good career. I don't understand why some people (and there are a lot of them on MN) get their Sloggy's in a twist about how other people choose to decorate themselves.

TiaMariaandSpringCleaning · 22/03/2013 23:17

X post! Grin

kinkyfuckery · 22/03/2013 23:17

As long as it was properly cared for dreads and not skanky ones, it wouldn't bother me at all.

WorraLiberty · 22/03/2013 23:17

Wouldn't bother me at all

But then I don't think dreads are crazy anyway.

DewDr0p · 22/03/2013 23:18

I think you're meant to look fairly neutral when practising though aren't you? I think it might be a bit distracting tbh.

KansasCityOctopus · 22/03/2013 23:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AgentZigzag · 22/03/2013 23:18

It wouldn't for me, but it's the fine line between the person there being more bothered about the reason they're there and what you look like is the least of their worries, and you wanting to look professional and be taken seriously (not that dreads would make you less professional, but in a therapeutic situation it's the all about trust and feeling comfortable).

I'm only thinking about what other people might think, and the association dreads have with a student lifestyle and less formal and traditional styles of hair and clothes, could make some feel a bit anal uptight about them?

Offler · 22/03/2013 23:18
MerryMarigold · 22/03/2013 23:18

Yeah, proper dreds, not skanky ones which look like you just didn't brush or wash your hair for ages. Which isn't easy if you are white! If you are not, then go for it.

OhDearieDearieMe · 22/03/2013 23:18

If you didn't have dreads or pink spikes or bright blue I'd find that odd! Therapists are meant to look funky!

JollyYellowGiant · 22/03/2013 23:19

I really couldn't care less what hairstyle someone has.

If you were orange and wore shitloads of caked on make up I'd be much less at ease.

AgnesBligg · 22/03/2013 23:20

What image do your family suggest for you? I'm guessing a neat bob, trouser suit and a clipboard.

I wouldn't think twice about dreads tbh.

mum11970 · 22/03/2013 23:20

Wouldn't bother me at all.

FreudiansSlipper · 22/03/2013 23:20

well as a trained therapist you know anything can been seen by a client as a statement so if it is an issue that coud be explored :)

RiaOverTheRainbow · 22/03/2013 23:20

Wouldn't bother me at all.

SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 22/03/2013 23:21

It would make me quite comfortable with them. Knowing my therapist was comfortable in their own skin and didn't feel the need to conform would make me far more likely to open up and trust them.

AgnesBligg · 22/03/2013 23:22

and pince-nez , obviously.