Should you tell your therapist you are bisexual?

[JackTexas94]

Thoughts, comments?

[sysper]

why wouldn't u? i wouldn't tell just for the sake of saying it, but i wouldn't hide it or deny it. there professionals. if it's part of the reason ur there u should definately bring it up. it can cause alot of stress especially with some of the wonderfull narrowminded relatives, friends, etc. out there.

[elian]

I think I probably would because the personal issues I have, when I have them, are related to my sense of self, gender and who I am attracted to.

They -should- be professional about it, if not - maybe it's time to find a new therapist.

Do you live in a really small town where word could get out? It never should, due to patient confidentiality anyway. The concern I would have isn't an outright rejection by the therapist, but whether or not they consider bisexuality a problem. Sexual orientation is no longer supposed to have a stigma associated with it according to statements from several professional medical organizations. Of course people being who they are, your mileage may vary.

[lookin2tryit]

you can pretty much tell them things you could'nt tell your best buddy or wife. they are bound NOT to tell anyone.
and if there are underlying issues that are related , it can help to a better diagnosis and conclusion to your issues ( hopefully)

[pole_smoker]

I've never been to a therapist but I'd imagine that you should, just like you should tell a doctor that you see.

[PeninAZ]

Therapists are probably in the top ten list of people you'd ought to tell. Any insight into your psychological makeup is useful for therapists in assisting you. Not saying tell your physical therapist, but if your depressed or some other issue of the like, sexuality may be a good place to visit. Openness to a therapist is key.

[querty]

Absolutely tell your therapist and your doctor. Thats a key piece of information they need to help you manage your physical, emotional, and mental health.

[Neonaught]

I would say that it would depend on what you are in therapy for. Your sex life and sexual history may not pertain to the treatment.

[Annika L]

If it's remotely or potentially relevant to the problems you want to discuss with them, then absolutely. And I have to confess I'm having a hard time envisioning how it wouldn't in some way be at least potentially relevant. I mean, if you're completely comfortable and open with your bisexuality, then there should be no issues with bringing it up (so this question would not need to be asked)...if you're not, then it's likely causing some level of anxiety, which could impact you in ways you don't even recognize.

I suppose if you're having trouble with your relationship, say, with your son/daughter, then your sexuality may not enter the picture at all. But even so, if even part of what is causing some of the tension is your feeling that you're not fully understood by/open with them, then yeah, I could see bringing it up.

I think the best response to this question would be to say that there is no reason why you should *withhold* that information from your therapist, and that to the extent that you can be comfortable bringing it up, it would give your therapist the best chance of helping you.

[nomorenomore]

In my case, it was my therapist who introduced the idea of bisexuality. She explained to me how sexuality isn't black and white, but shades of gray. We went through all my feelings/issues and she surmised that I was more than likely bisexual. Like most everything else in my life, it was buried because I needed to feel acceptance. As a child I was beaten and threatened to have my hands cut off because I was "limp wristed". My parents weren't going to have a sissy boy for a son. So who I was got buried as I tried to be what everyone else wanted me to be, even to the point of almost becoming a priest. Of course, burying things doesn't always work out and that ended with me having a breakdown in my 40's. I spent five years in counseling trying to sort who I was, not what everyone else wanted me to be. So, I am agreement that if you are seeing a therapist, it is a part of you that they need to be aware of. That is the one person you should trust to be you. If you can't, then you should find another therapist. I probably should start seeing one again, but funds are tight, so it is either the chiro so I can keep walking or a psych. While death would be a welcome relief, I am not suicidal, so I guess walking wins.

[bopinit]

No need for a therapist and if I did, would I tell them I was straight if I was soley straight?

[BiFiHotspot]

33206

[bityme]

If, when you use the term therapist, you are referring to licensed psychiatrists or psychologists, the answer should be yes. These people should know of your lifestyle and orientation because of their impact on you makeup.

[sjh9229]

I came out to my therapist recently, she is the only one who knows I am bi, it helps to be able to tell someone who is understanding who you are

[PamelaBiPantyboy]

If you don`t show your therapist your complete picture; even if only how you see it; How can the possibly help you?
Freud would say sex was the biggest facet n motivator in your life.
Personally, I consider Freud's IV Coke addiction, when considering some of his theory;
But, he was dead on here. Sex, and sexuality are huge.
To hide this from a therapist, is sabotaging your own journey.
I told mine.

[mnTIMIDguy]

I am curious about something. If I was to admit to my desires to my regular MD, does that get entered onto some database with all my other physical issues? ("100lbs overweight? check; cholesteral too high? check; likes sucking cock? check; etc) I live in Rochester with Mayo here, and have friends and relatives working there. I can easily imagine some having access to personal data for no legitimate reason. Or even having access for legitimate reasons and stumbling across info they didn't need to know. Then there's also the issue that some psych "doctors" have strong religious backgrounds that may not follow the norms of the rest of the field. Am I too paranoid of my privacy?

[PamelaBiPantyboy]

TimidGuy - you might want to build a Survival Bunker, and stock it with food and ammo for the rest of your life. Big Brother has been watching you and everyone else on line for years. People already know. I think the most relevant point about telling your therapist has to do with receiving relevant and effective care. And, your therapist has clients with much bigger and heavier issues too. So,when your neighbors come marching down your driveway with clubs and shotguns, you'll be ready.

[pole_smoker]

I am curious about something. If I was to admit to my desires to my regular MD, does that get entered onto some database with all my other physical issues? ("100lbs overweight? check; cholesteral too high? check; likes sucking cock? check; etc) I live in Rochester with Mayo here, and have friends and relatives working there. I can easily imagine some having access to personal data for no legitimate reason. Or even having access for legitimate reasons and stumbling across info they didn't need to know. Then there's also the issue that some psych "doctors" have strong religious backgrounds that may not follow the norms of the rest of the field. Am I too paranoid of my privacy?
Yes you're being way too paranoid. Your medical doctor should know that you're bisexual.

Like the person above me posted you're posting on a bisexual site and they already know who you are, and what you're into doing sexually. But it's like this in pretty much all countries.

[Gearbox]

Saying the words "I'm a bisexual.", "I like cock.", "I want sex with other men", "I wank watching gay porn.", out-loud to another person for the first time can be a highly stressful & anxiety pumping event.
But it's great getting that out of the way, and gets better each time until it causes no concern at all.

Things like that are what you're therapist is for. Use him/her for that, and don't worry about being on a list.
I'm on a few lists as a bisexual (nothing criminal.lol), and so far not one person who views that 'highly significant info' gives a shit about it.:rolleyes: