You know when you are reading something that makes you wince, cringe, chuckle and then stop with your mouth hanging open in a mixture of astonishment and disbelief?

I was browsing through the excellent psychology blog, The Phrenologist’s Notebook, recently and came across a link to this article on PsychCentral entitled ‘The 12 Most Annoying Bad Habits of Therapists.’

This list makes for shocking reading. It is introduced with the words: ‘Here are twelve things you wish your therapist didn’t do — some of which may actually harm the psychotherapeutic relationship.’

Some of which? Excuse me, some of which?

[Pauses again and rolls eyes in melodramatic gesture.]

Because, let me tell you, the list includes such gems as: eating in front of the client; yawning or sleeping during the therapy session; answering calls during the session; bringing a pet to the session; expressing racial, sexual or religious preferences; inappropriate personal disclosures by the therapist; physical contact such as hugging (without client’s prior permission); clock-watching; excessive note-taking.

Go and have a read. It is incredible.

I was wondering how the author of the article compiled this list. Are there therapists who actually do this stuff? Do they have any clients?

Then I read some of the comments on the article made by readers who had experienced some of these annoying habits in their therapists.

I am just imagining how I would feel if my therapist was listening to me speak, whilst eating a sandwich, yawning between mouthfuls and checking his phone. That really would help me to feel supported and listened to. Blimey.

Actually, hearing this kind of stuff makes me feel rather cross, to put it mildly. However, we can all take heart that therapists who behave like this will generally not last very long as therapists. People will simply stop consulting them. Word will get around.

It goes without saying that, as a client, you should never be putting up with such ridiculous and rude behavior from your therapist.