Why Couples Therapists Are Sick of ‘Therapy-Speak’
What happens when spouses accuse each other of gaslighting? Nothing good.
TL;DR
- Clients are misusing "therapy-speak" terms like "gaslighting," "boundaries," "triggered," and "trauma bond," often learned from social media.
- These misused terms are frequently applied to normal miscommunications or disagreements, rather than actual psychological abuse.
- Clients are also self-diagnosing partners with conditions like narcissism, OCD, or attachment styles without clinical diagnosis.
- The misuse of "therapy-speak" hinders couples therapy by shutting down conversation, creating defensiveness, and distracting from shared responsibility in relationship dynamics.
- Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok contribute to the spread and misapplication of simplified psychological concepts.
- Some therapists are pushing back against the overuse of "therapy-speak," while others find it challenging to correct clients who are attached to these terms.
- The trend may lead to exaggerated perceptions of conflict, potentially damaging salvageable relationships and contributing to unnecessary divorces.