Episode Details
Back to EpisodesTherapists Are Trained Martyrs | The Gaslit Truth Podcast with Dr Teralyn Sell and Therapist Jenn Schmitz
Description
The Gaslit Truth Podcast is hosted by Dr. Teralyn Sell and Therapist Jenn Schmitz, exploring mental health, psychiatric medication withdrawal, therapy culture, and informed consent.
In this episode, Dr. Teralyn Sell and Therapist Jenn Schmitz discuss the martyrdom that exists in therapy practice and the dismissal of client violence.
A therapist in Orlando was murdered by a former client—and our profession’s first reaction was to ask why she didn’t protect herself better. We refuse that narrative. We dig into the uncomfortable truth that mental health culture quietly rewards self‑sacrifice: late nights, weekend sessions, constant availability, and boundary‑blurring that puts clinicians and clients at risk.
We share what graduate training skipped and the prison system taught us: safety is not a nicety, it’s step one. You’ll hear blunt, lived stories of assault and near‑misses, how incidents go underreported, and why private practitioners often have no clear place to file a report. We unpack the data on workplace violence, the limits of risk assessments to predict harm, and the subtle gaslighting that calls violence “rare” while five‑fold risk tells another story. This isn’t fear‑mongering; it’s a blueprint for ethical care that starts with a secure clinician.
We challenge the myth of “meet clients where they are” when it becomes driving to cars, homes, or empty offices at night. We talk office layout, visible check‑ins, no‑nights policies, secure digital footprints, and ending treatment when risk or conflicts arise—without shame or accusations of abandonment. And we ask clients to consider a hard question: if your therapist is overextended and always on, is that truly the best care?
If you’re ready to replace martyrdom with sustainable practice, this conversation is your reset. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs backup, and leave a review with one boundary you’re committing to this year. Your safety is not optional—and better therapy starts there.
We're recruiting for a first-of-its-kind psychiatric medication withdrawal research study. If you've experienced psychiatric medication withdrawal, you may be eligible to participate. Email DrTeralyn@DrTeralyn.com to learn more.
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💊 Ready to Deprescribe Your Psych Meds?
Psych meds have harmed us—and we’re not just survivors, we’re deeply educated in psychopharmacology, psychology, and nutrition. As hosts of The Gaslit Truth Podcast, we guide people safely off psychiatric medications with strategies grounded in science and brain health
🔥 You’ve been harmed. You’ve been dismissed. It’s time to take your brain back—with guidance from people who’ve been there and know their stuff.
Are you tired of being gaslit and want to DEEP THROAT some more truth? We want to hear from you! Message us your gaslit stories at thegaslittruthpodcast@gmail.com
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