Hi Cody! For some reason, this was the first podcast I finally decided to listen to on Substack, and I’m glad I did.
I respect the bravery in sharing this story of betrayal by a therapist. Placing trust in a mental health professional when vulnerable makes manipulation feel like a seismic shift—yet naming that harm is itself a step toward reclaiming power.
Shame often serves as the lever: a therapist exploiting our isolation convinces us that the fault lies within, so we remain silent. But self-blame reflects the abuse of authority, not personal failure. Recognizing shame as a tactic loosens its grip.
While this comment focuses on your experience, it also highlights a broader pattern: As a gay therapist, I’ve heard too many new clients report subtle invalidation or worse from therapists holding conservative views about LGBTQ identities, sometimes edging into practices discredited by our field. This isn’t about vilifying all clinicians; it’s about systemic gaps in training, personal biases overriding ethics, and inadequate reporting mechanisms that allow harm to persist.
To you and your listeners who’ve faced similar harm: your feelings are valid, and the shame placed on you never belonged to you. Lean on affirming communities and consider reporting misconduct with support from advocacy groups. To mental health professionals: sit with discomfort, examine biases, and commit to rigorous, client-centered ethics.
Thank you for bringing this painful yet essential conversation to the forefront. By speaking out, you transform shame into advocacy and push the field toward accountability and genuine affirmation.
Dude, don't ever shut up about it. I feel you man, the rage, the disappointment, the disbelief... But you will come stronger and you will shine on the road for other victims of abuse, in fact you already have. :) I have been in an abusive manipulative relationship for 2 years back in my twenties and let me tell you, I have dissociated hard... I feel like it never happened and why? Of course... it's shame. I don't want to see that as part of me but truth is, it made me so much stronger and resilient. It should never happen, it's not fair... but that's life and when you can't avoid it, you have to try make the best out of it. Wish you all the love, healing and making the best out of this nightmare ♥️
I have complex shame from total neglect in every way during childhood. The deeper layers have been revealing themselves lately. I’m grateful and yet it’s not easy.
Love your sharing Cody, and I’m so sorry that you had to go through such hell to bring forth the gold. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Hi Cody! For some reason, this was the first podcast I finally decided to listen to on Substack, and I’m glad I did.
I respect the bravery in sharing this story of betrayal by a therapist. Placing trust in a mental health professional when vulnerable makes manipulation feel like a seismic shift—yet naming that harm is itself a step toward reclaiming power.
Shame often serves as the lever: a therapist exploiting our isolation convinces us that the fault lies within, so we remain silent. But self-blame reflects the abuse of authority, not personal failure. Recognizing shame as a tactic loosens its grip.
While this comment focuses on your experience, it also highlights a broader pattern: As a gay therapist, I’ve heard too many new clients report subtle invalidation or worse from therapists holding conservative views about LGBTQ identities, sometimes edging into practices discredited by our field. This isn’t about vilifying all clinicians; it’s about systemic gaps in training, personal biases overriding ethics, and inadequate reporting mechanisms that allow harm to persist.
To you and your listeners who’ve faced similar harm: your feelings are valid, and the shame placed on you never belonged to you. Lean on affirming communities and consider reporting misconduct with support from advocacy groups. To mental health professionals: sit with discomfort, examine biases, and commit to rigorous, client-centered ethics.
Thank you for bringing this painful yet essential conversation to the forefront. By speaking out, you transform shame into advocacy and push the field toward accountability and genuine affirmation.
Dude, don't ever shut up about it. I feel you man, the rage, the disappointment, the disbelief... But you will come stronger and you will shine on the road for other victims of abuse, in fact you already have. :) I have been in an abusive manipulative relationship for 2 years back in my twenties and let me tell you, I have dissociated hard... I feel like it never happened and why? Of course... it's shame. I don't want to see that as part of me but truth is, it made me so much stronger and resilient. It should never happen, it's not fair... but that's life and when you can't avoid it, you have to try make the best out of it. Wish you all the love, healing and making the best out of this nightmare ♥️
Wow, that is awful 😢. Good job with your perseverance, this must have been hard. And don’t stop talking about this! The world needs to hear!
I have complex shame from total neglect in every way during childhood. The deeper layers have been revealing themselves lately. I’m grateful and yet it’s not easy.
Love your sharing Cody, and I’m so sorry that you had to go through such hell to bring forth the gold. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank you Lila!
It is fucked up and you should keep talking. I’m so sorry. 😢
where did you get that skyline of detroit? That’s sick! Cookie Monster Red wing is funny too. At least we got the Tigers!
Amazon!