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)
bexxiiee 11
You clearly didn't do your research. That's what they do in phobia therapy...
xiiauric 4
At least it was in a box and not in his hand.
kandaceelena 8
is your fear of spiders getting in the way of your everyday activities? if not I don't see the point of paying $150/hr for that.
KingreX32 21
wow that guys a dick.
nystev 13
He's just going at it in the wrong way... For example, if someone has claustrophobia and you try to cure them by shoving them in a closet until they get over it, you're just going to give them a panic attack (and maybe make their phobia worse). There's such a thing as ''gradual exposure'' instead, or discussing therapy techniques beforehand... Although I don't think anyone would appreciate having a big spider, even if it's in a box, shoved in their face.
Lili_love 14
YDI for going to a therapist over some spiders...nobody likes spiders dude. If I was your therapist I would laugh.
squideth 18
Uh, I love spiders of all kinds. Adorable little monsters. And some people's phobias are so bad that they interfere with day-to-day life, so they must seek therapy. Be happy you don't suffer from such things and stop being so ignorant and insensitive towards those who do.
zombiekitten87 12
That's what therapists are supposed to do, although I think the process should begin with something a little less... In your face.
maxman217 7
well the only way to face phobias is exposure therapy, ie facing it, people with fears of small places go on subway rides with their therapists, I mean he should have explained that and maybe start with small ones but thats how you get over that fear.
vladimirnabokov 15
I was scared if water as a young child, and my dad's response was to throw me Lake Michigan. Needless to say, I don't fear water anymore. Sometimes facing your fears can be a good thing. In your case, OP, I don't think your therapist is doing it right. Switch therapists!
DestinysChampion 17
I suggest going to a psychologist instead, rather than going to a therapist.