zlacker

> One could also say that therapists prey on lonely people who pay them to talk to them and seem like they’re genuinely interested in them, when the therapist wouldn’t bother having a connection with these people once they stop paying.

As another commenter said, if that's your experience with a therapist, you have a shitty therapist and should switch.

Most importantly, a good therapist will very clearly outline their role, discuss with you what you hope to achieve, etc. I've been in therapy many years, and I know exactly what I'm paying for. Sure, some weeks I really do just need someone to talk to. But never have I, or my therapist, been unclear that I am paying for a service, and one that I value much more than just having "someone to talk to".

Using the terminology "prey on lonely people" is ridiculous (again, for any good therapist). If they were actually preying on me, then their goal would be to keep me lonely so I become dependent on them (and I'm not saying that never happens, but when it does it's called malpractice). A good therapist's entire goal is to make people self-sufficient in their lives.