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If I talk to a therapist about it, will they make me confront my abuser?

Profile: Pea
Pea on Sep 29, 2014
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No, they shouldn't. Therapists, in particular those who work with abuse, understand that confronting your abuser can make things worse. Their job is to support you, not to put you in situations where your wellbeing is at risk. If you wish to confront your abuser, they will support you in that, but they will not make you do so against your wish.
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Profile: StormWilliams
StormWilliams on Oct 25, 2014
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Sometimes a therapist will want you to confront your abuser, but only if they think it will help you. However, they will not force you to do anything you don't want to.
Profile: TannerZ
TannerZ on Oct 5, 2014
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Your therapist will never do anything that you are not comfortable with. It is all up to what you feel you can do and what you cant do.
Profile: keepbreathing
keepbreathing on Oct 24, 2014
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No one can MAKE you do anything, they might suggest that you do but then again maybe not. Each therapist is different, but ultimately they are there to help you and will not put you in an unsafe position
Profile: Mokie
Mokie on Nov 1, 2014
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A therapist will never force you into an action that you are not ready to take ..... they are there to help guide you through your issues ... You should always feel able to open up to a therapist and if they try to make you do something you are not ready for, they will likely damage any help or trust they've already built up with you. Please be assured, therapists are there to help you , not hurt you.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 11, 2014
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No they will not. It would go against the privacy that you have with your therapist. Your therapist will help you to overcome the issues that you are struggling with and help you to move forward. They will not bring your abuser into this.
Profile: Dailydaydreama
Dailydaydreama on Nov 16, 2014
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No therapist should ever try make you do anything ! Especially confront your abuser most would advice against it so you don't put yourself in a situation to be reabused by them
Profile: FluidThoughts
FluidThoughts on Sep 12, 2014
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A therapist will (or should) never make you do anything you don't feel comfortable with. They should be there to help you find the right path for you, not force you to do what they think you should do.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Oct 27, 2014
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I don't think they will. Tell your therapist you're not comfortable with confrontation and that you just need someone to talk to. Make sure they know you're adamant about not confronting the abuser.
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No they will not. A therapist will not make you do anything besides discuss your feelings and emotions. Confronting your abuser could potentially put you in more danger, if a therapist feels like you are in danger they will take matters into their own hands by telling the police, you don't have to do a thing.
Profile: MPTucker
MPTucker on Oct 31, 2014
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Some therapist may ask if you want to confront your abuser as part of the healing process but in most cases no, because it would cause more harm to you. Now mental they will ask you to confront your abuser because it is part of coming to closure with what has happened to you and giving you better tools to deal with the situations in the future. All of it is done when you are ready to let it happen.
Profile: AntoniaLovesYou
AntoniaLovesYou on Nov 2, 2014
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No. They will help you come to a place where hopefully you'll be able to. They will help you confront yourself, and how to leave the situation. A therapist cannot make you do anything you are not comfortable with.
Profile: NadiaD
NadiaD on Nov 5, 2014
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Not necessarily, they will generally work with you to identify what course of action will help you to personally move forward from your experience. Sometimes this can take the form of confrontation, but not always. Your solutions will be tailored to your experiences/ desires for the future/ and needs for closure.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 8, 2014
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Talking to a therapist is probably the best thing to do when you want to confront your abuser. Please reach out for help when you need too.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Nov 10, 2014
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The therapist is there for you. You won't be put in a situation that could be a potential danger or where you feel highly uncomfortable.
Profile: optimisticSnow80
optimisticSnow80 on Nov 14, 2014
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A therapist will never make you do anything you don't want to do, and generally, they will not make you confront an abuser on your own because they can't anticipate how your abuser will react or guarantee your safety. Generally a therapist will give you the resources to ensure your safety, such as contact info for a battered women's shelter or a contact at the police department who can help you get a restraining order. If they feel that intervention is necessary, which is very rare, they will have the abuser and you present in their office so they can mediate. But since they cannot guarantee your safer outside of the office, they generally will not do this.
Profile: woundedhealer93
woundedhealer93 on Nov 18, 2014
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It depends on the situation, really. If they feel it necessary to confront the abuser based on your own feelings on it, then they may give you the option to confront them. Otherwise, I don't think so.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015
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A therapist would never MAKE you confront your abuser. They would only assist you if you chose to confront your abuser. However, in the US if you're under 18, they are required to report any abuse to authorities. So keep that in mind. However, if you're older and the abuse is current, they will help you find ways to manage the situation or help you get out of the situation if you desire.
Profile: Brook
Brook on Apr 25, 2015
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A therapist will never make you do anything that you are not comfortable with. They are there to help you through what you are going through.
Profile: EmmaOmalley
EmmaOmalley on May 30, 2015
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Absolutely not! That is no part of therapy for people who have been abused, since that would not help you and could be unsafe. They will do what is best for you!
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