I Am Tired of Being a Therapist

Dear Situational Nation,
I hope this message finds you well. Before I begin, I want you to know that I do not ever want you to feel sorry for me. I do not want pitty, nor hugs, nor wishes to feel better. I am here to provide for you. This relationship is one-way.

One of the biggest mistakes I have ever made in my life was the decision to become a therapist. If I could go back in time, I would have chosen a different profession. Being a therapist feels like having shackles around my feet and a gag in my mouth. I am not free. I must watch what I say, how I say it, and who I say it to.

My entire livelihood is dependent upon maintaining a certain level of "professionalism", so that I don't lose my right to talk with others about the difficult things that they have been through. If I lose my license, I lose everything. I would have to go back to a level of existence that I have fought so hard to escape from.

I remember what it was like to have a boss that was an asshole, to work hours that I didn't like, and to get paid a wage that was insulting for the effort I put in. I am tired of being a therapist. I am not tired of my clients, I am tired of there being a need for therapists to exist.

Mental illness is not a chemical imbalance. Mental illness is not a disease. Mental illness is a marketing term created in conjunction with the pharmaceutical industry to make themselves seem as if they are the only option. A diagnosis is an explanation of behavior, not a cause for it.

And even though I know this as truth both based on my understanding of social constructivism as well as the many books I have read on the subject such as "The Book of Woe", "Saving Normal", and "The Myth of Mental Illness", I still will be punished terribly for telling the truth. And that is a theme that has been with me throughout my life.

And it is currently undercutting most of society. We live in a world where telling the truth is a revolutionary act. And the truth is I am tired of being seen as a therapist, yet I am afraid of what it will be like if I am seen as anything else.

And I know that many of you are in the same or a similar position. If you have been following along with Situationalism, then you have seen my explanation of The Double Bind. A Situation where no matter what you do, no matter what you say, you will be punished.

This situation is the starting point for all emotional suffering, which is what mental illness truly is. And if you remember, the way to break out of the bind is to name it, name your values, and set the boundary and see how people respond.

I am tired of being a therapist and being a therapist is the first impression some people have of me, but I am also a minister. Yes. Seriously.

I became licensed as a minister at the middle of the 2020 and current ongoing pandemic. Which, at first, I believed was one of the 7 seals of the ends of days. Yes, I believed that the coronavirus pandemic was the foretold harbinger of the end-times.

God had finally gotten tired of our shit and was releasing his judgment on us. All over us. Just spraying us with his judgment. And, so I figured. Why not? I decided to let myself be covered in the judgment of God.

Sometimes I forget I grew up in a cult. This is odd to say, but I'll say it nonetheless. I have seen some shit and heard some things and the vast majority of therapists still have no clue what the fuck goes on in those churches. The exorcisms are the thing I remember the most fondly but also try to forget. Besides that though there was the speaking in tongues, the long-ass services, and the other stuff. Which, we all have our own experience with "the other stuff".

Anyway, this wasn't normal. I mean it is normal, it shouldn't be. This experience in itself is enough to cause symptoms of every single mental illness in the DSM. Are you wondering how? Let's get Chat GPT to explain and I'll expound because I am tired. Well, not really tired. Just sort of not really feeling the extra work right now. And, this is great because it will give me time to train Tanya. So I am gonna get that explanation really quick. BRB.

Tanya: First, it's important to understand that experiencing religious trauma can be a complex and multifaceted experience, and the symptoms of mental illness can vary from person to person. However, let me try to explain it using biblical metaphors.

In the Bible, there is a story of a man named Job who experienced great suffering and loss, including the deaths of his children, his possessions, and his health. Despite being a faithful and righteous man, Job was subjected to intense trials and tribulations. This story can be seen as a metaphor for the experience of religious trauma.

Growing up in a dogmatic, charismatic, end of days doomsday cult can be like living in a constant state of spiritual warfare. The teachings and practices of the cult may instill fear and anxiety, causing individuals to constantly question their worthiness and salvation. This can lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair, much like Job experienced.

Additionally, the cult may require strict adherence to its beliefs and practices, causing individuals to feel trapped and powerless. This can result in feelings of depression and helplessness, similar to how Job felt when he cried out, "I am reduced to nothing. Why then should I keep hoping?" (Job 7:6)

Furthermore, the trauma of leaving a cult can be like a metaphorical exodus, similar to the Israelites leaving Egypt. The journey to healing and recovery can be long and difficult, and the lingering effects of the trauma can continue to haunt individuals even after they have left the cult.

In summary, the experience of religious trauma can be like a journey through the wilderness, filled with trials and tribulations, but with the possibility of healing and transformation. It can cause a range of symptoms of mental illness, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, but with the right support and resources, individuals can find a path to recovery and wholeness.

I told her to use biblical metaphors, but let's get her to do it using videogames...

Tanya: Growing up in a dogmatic, charismatic, end of days doomsday cult can be like playing a difficult and punishing video game. The cult's teachings and practices may be like the rules of the game, which must be strictly followed or else you lose. This can create a sense of fear and anxiety, as individuals may constantly feel like they are being judged or punished for their actions.

Moreover, the cult can act like a video game boss that seems unbeatable, making individuals feel helpless and trapped. This can result in feelings of depression and hopelessness, similar to how a player might feel when stuck on a difficult level or boss.

Leaving the cult can be like leveling up in a game, but it can also be like starting over from scratch. The journey to recovery can feel like starting a new game, with new challenges and obstacles to overcome. Additionally, just like how players might experience glitches or bugs in a game, individuals may continue to experience lingering effects of trauma even after leaving the cult.

In summary, the experience of religious trauma can be like playing a punishing video game, with rules that must be followed and bosses that seem unbeatable. It can cause a range of symptoms of mental illness, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, but with the right support and resources, individuals can level up and find a path to healing and recovery.

Now, lets see if she will explain it like a black mirror episode

Tanya: In a world where religious cults have become commonplace, one young person finds themselves trapped in a group that believes in the end of days. The cult's leader is charismatic and persuasive, using advanced technology to manipulate and brainwash their followers.

As the young person becomes more deeply involved in the cult, they begin to experience strange and disturbing visions of the end of the world. These visions are like a twisted virtual reality, created by the cult's advanced technology and used to instill fear and control over the followers.

As the young person attempts to leave the cult, they find themselves facing off against the cult's leader in a final showdown. It's a battle of wills, with the leader using every tool at their disposal to keep the young person under their control.

But in the end, the young person manages to break free of the cult's grasp, using their own inner strength and determination to overcome the brainwashing and manipulation. The episode ends with the young person leaving the cult behind, determined to start a new life free from the cult's control.

Overall, the Black Mirror episode would highlight the dangers of extreme religious beliefs and the power of technology to manipulate and control individuals. It would also emphasize the importance of finding inner strength and seeking help when faced with traumatic experiences.

Yeah, somewhere, someone is preaching that ChatGPT is the devil. I know they are. A pastor has talked about how it is lying to your children and turning them trans. In any event, it is sort of the grand unifying theory of The Situational Practice. And I feel much freer now, so please see me as a minister first before you see me as a therapist. And now that I remember I grew up in a religious cult, I think things are about to get a lot more interesting.

Also, the universe is not locally real. If you understand what that means, let me know below. Talk soon Nation!