Therapist keeps asking for photographs?

[RhapsodyinBlue2]

I started therapy three years ago, after my husband died, and my therapist has always been there for me, which I really appreciate. But she regularly asks for photographs, for example, of my children. And now I have started a new relationship, very early days, and stirring up a lot of emotions for me, although he is genuinely lovely and caring - and she keeps asking for a photograph of him. He is a very private person and I am not really comfortable at sharing a photo and I just say I idon't have one - but also thinking is this normal?

She may want to but she isn't a friend or a relative you get on with, so that is over stepping boundaries for her to ask.

It's their images and they're not in therapy. So a huge invasion of their privacy

You are in therapy and what you choose to share about you is your decision. You can't do that for others

this

You think it’s ‘revenge’ if a client reports an unethical therapist through the very procedures designed for reporting unethical therapists?

Sounds like a you problem.

Is a therapist is asking and this is not part of some sort of creative therapy ( even then i’d question it) There is no reason at all for her doing this, do consider finding out who she is registered with or gp or something and report - this really is not acceptable honestly.

Do not be gas lit to thinking it’s ok- by anyone.

If someone is misusing a position of power - regardless if circumstances-then it should be reported.

Ted flag here - the loyalty but, there’s no loyalty needed is someone’s being a right strange one.

Also all is innocent it can be worked out in the wash via an investigation or whatever happens after reporting.

This should not be happening and I am suprised if you are one, that you would write such a statement.

"No, it's not alternative therapy and she is registered, I believe"

You only believe she is registered?
So you don't know? You haven't been given that information?

How did you find her? Through your gp or privately?

Are these sessions face to face or online?

I'd switch therapists, this is very inappropriate as people's privacy will be compromised by sharing photographs.

It’s not even really about privacy. It’s that there is no good therapeutic reason to ask this and it seems to be more about the therapist’s wishes and curiosity, not what’s in the client’s best interests.

A therapist I follow on instagram once posted a semi-joking reel saying something like “I wish I could see a photo of that new boyfriend you’ve been talking about” - basically saying that yes, he’s curious, but also clearly insinuating that it wouldn’t be normal or appropriate to ask. He goes by Therapy Jeff on socials if you can be bothered to find him…

The therapist doesn’t seem to have given a rationale for wanting to see photos and you feel uncomfortable with the request. You’re having difficulty challenging her. If you think about the time frame of how long you’ve been seeing her, when would you say the sessions were last of help to you? We can get stuck in therapy relationships as with any other. It IS the therapist’s responsibility to check that the therapy is still helping you and whether they are still the right therapist for you.

I suggest you write a email to the professional body your therapist is registered with describing what is happening and how it makes you feel and asking if this is normal behaviour for a therapist operating under their registration. You don't have to name the therapist in your email but their response will guide you as to whether to report them, or just leave them, or talk to them to ask them to respect more professional boundaries.

That’s her issue that she needs to deal with, not yours. I’d be looking for another therapist.

By the way OP, do you feel your therapist is helping you?