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How do I move on from that heated argument with my therapist through text exchange?

How do I move on from that heated argument with my therapist through text exchange?

Hello everyone,

I had a heated argument over text with my former therapist regarding a past friendship of mine. The conflict began when she told me I should take responsibility for my part in that friendship, and I reacted out of anger by calling her disgusting. She then admitted that she had said this intentionally because she wanted to see my reaction, knowing it would trigger me.

When I called her out on this and told her the environment felt unsafe, abusive, toxic, and disgusting, she became highly defensive and denied it, while claiming she was trying to change my perspective. She also threw it back in my face that I was using that word again, even though we had explicitly talked about that kind of language in a previous session. During this exchange, she patronisingly asked if I wanted her to call my mum about our argument.

The following day, she decided to terminate our therapeutic relationship. She texted me stating that it was time for me to find a counsellor with a softer approach who doesn't challenge me. She expressed that she was deeply offended by my words, claiming that I wanted her to collude with me, that I didn't understand boundaries, and that I should speak to my parents when I can't sit well with my thoughts before pressing send.

I felt incredibly patronised by her statements, as if she was treating me like a child instead of an adult man. Looking back, I realise I did want her to collude with me, and I kept bringing up the friendship conflict despite already knowing what her response would be. Still, the termination hurts deeply because she has known my mum and me since I was a toddler, back when she was my specialist teacher. After a 20-year gap, we crossed paths again, and she became my counsellor for several years during my twenties.

Furious and acting on impulse, I reported her to the healthcare complaints board online that same day. A few days later, I sent her a formal complaint letter generated by AI, which she replied to on the very same day, apologising for her wrongdoings.

Shortly after that, my parents found out what happened and sat down to have a serious discussion with me. Reflecting on that conversation made me realise I had made a massive mistake by escalating the situation so impulsively. Following our discussion, my mum texted her to thank her for the help she had provided over the years, and I withdrew the official complaint the next day. My parents were disappointed at that time.

A few days later, I texted her to apologise and confirm the withdrawal. In the text, I noted that I had already found a new counsellor and respected her decision to end our therapeutic relationship, adding that I didn't expect a reply.

Despite me saying I didn't expect a response, she texted back anyway. She expressed that she was still upset and found the AI-generated letter abusive and threatening. She noted that I still carried profound anger, but offered to speak with my new counsellor about our past work together. She also asked for permission to call my mum for a proper goodbye.

A few days later, I texted her back, granting permission for her to email my mum instead of calling or texting. I explained that my mum simply wants to move on and prefers not to discuss the matter over the phone. She has not replied to me or sent an email to my mum.

I have decided to move on and leave things as they are, but the whole experience has left me feeling very conflicted. I wanted to share this anonymously to get some outside perspective. How does this situation look from an outsider's point of view?

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In response to: How do I move on from that heated argument with my therapist through text exchange?

Re: How do I move on from that heated argument with my therapist through text exchange?

I think if the therapist knew you, she's meant to reject you as a patient based on Conflict of Interest

So she sounds highly unprofessional on that count

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