Today, I went to see a therapist for help with my severe fear of spiders. The therapist held a big spider in a box inches away from my face. I ran to the back of the room and asked him why. He responded with, "Aren't therapists supposed to help you face your fears?" I'm paying $150 an hour. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, my roommate thought it would be a good idea to show me his huge new tarantula despite knowing that I have extremely severe arachnophobia. I ended up killing it with a book and apparently now owe him $500. FML
Today, I went to see a certified trauma specialist for my PTSD. I saw her for 35 minutes of my hour-long session because she ran late with the patient before me, and then kicked me out early. Her expert treatment plan? "Just don't think about it." I paid $260 for that. FML
Today, I went through the nightmare of having to go to my doctor so he could remove a living spider from my nasal cavity. FML
Today, my significant other woke at 4:30 a.m. to me crying about a spider in the bathroom. I have an intense fear of spiders; he was super nice and took care of it for me. He even walked me out to my car. I started to calm down driving to work, but when I got there what do I see on the door handle but a spider. I'm still shaking. FML
Today, my mom still freaks out and yells "Where?" when I mention spiders to her in any form, regardless of context, and no matter what I preface it with. She just fixates on the word "spider." I get that arachnophobia is pretty miserable to have, but this is ridiculous. Go see a therapist, mom. FML
Today, I was taken to my first session with my psychiatrist. The entirety of the facility, from the waiting room to the doc's office was decorated with dead butterflies in glass. I was there for my crippling mottephobia, the irrational fear of moths and butterflies. FML
Today, knowing that I have severe arachnophobia, my brother brought over his friend's tarantula. One hour later, the spider got loose. It's been 5 hours and I'm afraid to go to sleep. FML
Today, I spotted a huge spider in my bedroom. I freaked out at first, but I managed to confront my arachnophobia and killed it with a book. I was ecstatic and went to tell my boyfriend. By the time I returned to my room, the "dead" spider had vanished. Now I'm too scared to sleep. FML
Today, I had to go to therapy for my fear of cats. All the way there, my girlfriend kept making cat noises and scratching at me. FML
Today, my parents screamed at me for cutting my wrists. They asked me if I wanted a therapist. I said that I didn't know. Then my mom said, "But wait, it's going to cost a lot of money!" FML
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Top comments
istishia 12
Isn't this a valid technique? Flooding or something?
Bluekaren16 19
Yes it's a type of exposure therapy.
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Comments (121)
blurose 6
When one has a phobia, it truly affects the day to day life of that person. Most people who have a certain phobia will do almost anything to avoid activity where they would see/experience that which they fear. It is understandable why OP would want to seek help. The doctor should have informed OP what his techniques are for helping people through their phobia rather than just throw them into the deep end.
scifichic92 8
That is a completely valid technique, it is called "Exposure Therapy" and is common to use with phobias as well as OCD. 150 dollars an hour is ridiculous though....
judea95 16
Surely you learn psychological treatments for phobias before going to therapy for it. I guess you haven't heard of Flooding therapy.
Kiwiscanfly 19
Paying $150 to see something that you can easily just go under your house and see for free.. Poor OP
KO31_fml 4
Exposure therapy is a valid technique to desensitize you but on, what I'm guessing was, your first day it's a little too much. I had cognitive therapy for a vomit phobia and to start off I had to watch videos of other people being sick so I would think they would show you pictures then videos and then introduce the real deal.
ambies 2
This technique is called flooding! It isn't usually used (because of obvious reasons).. But it's trying to disassociate your irrational fear of spiders in a (very) confronting manner. He probably should have talked you through it first though, OP. Good-luck!
DaisyDanger 7
Haha #22, day = made
zoidberg666 3
Get the **** over it pussy. Just a spider
Reesienpiper 4
I've got two outside of my door, you can have em' for 20 bucks.
Kels4588 6
1st- this is NOT how you are supposed to do this therapy. It should have been explained to you and you should have given your consent . 2nd- you NEED to report this guy to his licensing board (if he has a license) for ethical violations of not getting consent, incompetence, and patient harm. If not done correctly this therapy can be traumatic. 3rd- $150 an hour is a completely reasonable rate for a competent licensed therapist with experience in treating phobias.