#TherapistRedFlags

A growing global conversation about mental health is increasingly focusing on the professionals who provide care. Viral discussions about “terrible therapists” highlight problematic practices and raise questions about how to ensure therapy is supportive, ethical, and effective.

In Thailand, interest in counseling is rising, yet stigma and shortages of trained professionals persist. The Ministry of Public Health reports more Thais seeking mental health support in urban areas and among youth. However, the quality of care varies widely. Social media conversations and stories from Thai users mirror global concerns, with some individuals describing disengagement, judgment, or breaches of confidentiality by therapists.

A growing number of people worldwide are opening up about their struggles not just with mental health, but with the very professionals meant to help them. Recent viral discussions, including a BuzzFeed article compiling stories of “terrible therapists,” are shining a harsh spotlight on problematic practices within the mental health industry (BuzzFeed). These personal accounts — ranging from therapists giving unsolicited advice to crossing ethical boundaries — are prompting experts and individuals alike to ask: how can we make sure mental health care is genuinely helpful, not harmful?