Mar. 29, 2006 Dear Annie,
Do all therapists think everyone needs some kind of therapy? My sister is a juvenile therapy counselor, and she sees the need for mental health help in everyone! She noticed my habit of lining up cans in the cupboard, label front, and reminded me of a movie we watched in which the psycho control freak who beat his wife did the same thing. When I was annoyed with this comparison, she said, "It's just that you have so many obsessive behaviors. I know this guy who's really good with that" She butts in on people's conversations with this kind of helpful advice, too! Just last night she "helped" our waitress with her fear of dogs, advised my mother to go to an Alanon meeting to deal with "past issues resulting from being raised by an alcoholic," a comment that raised the roof since my mother does not consider either of her parents to BE an alcoholic, etc. Don't you think my sister should stop trying to send everyone to therapy and concentrate on keeping her big mouth shut? Telling people they need therapy is just one step away from calling them crazy.
Amy in Roy, WA
Dear Amy,
People develop habits, like my own of arranging all the bottles in the bathroom label forward so I can see what's in them. That's not crazy, it's smart! Perhaps behaviors in whichever grandparent she is labeling an alcoholic had nothing to do with drinking. Maybe your sister gets a commission for referrals. Just kidding. Your sister is actually trying to help, although it might be irritating at times. Be as straight forward with your sister as she is with everyone else, and tell her what you've told me. Let her know you value her professional knowledge, but that it hurts your feeling when she assumes you need professional help.
Annie
Please write to:
Annie, P.O. Box 1084, Eatonville,WA 98328
E-mail: letters_annie@hotmail.com
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