so therapy?...

[xrfez]

I would like to know if anyone else has seen a mental health care worker for there attraction to animals or if anyone is a mental health care worker and can give me some of there experience as well as the do's and dont's. I recently have told my therapist there is this "thing" (my attraction to animals, which I have yet to disclose) that been causing me some mental angst, that's the extent of it so far. He has been prodding at this a little bit since my last session. I would rather not find another therapist since the therapeutic alliance is strong other than this situation I seem to have dug myself into. I am considering coming up with something else to talk about in place of this "thing" to cover myself. I haven't decided yet on how to proceed.

Thanks everyone,
Xrfez

 

[knotadeer14]

Discussing and working through your feelings on specific topics is kind of the point of therapy, no? If you've found a counselor who is capable of being professional in creating a safe space and leaves their own biases behind them then discussing your zoo attractions should really not be an issue. I understand the apprehension, but it should definitely be a point of discussion, especially if it causes you anguish or distress and it may help you work through your own feelings.

If it makes you uncomfortable or you're not ready, they can't force you to talk about anything that you don't want to. The word no is a complete sentence and it's okay to just say that you don't feel comfortable discussing it.

 

[Aspen Tuwal]

I have not been to therapy strictly to address this aspect of my personality, but it has sort of come up once or twice. I never directly disclosed my zoophilia, but I did talk about the various social problems it caused me. Unless you actually want to try to change your sexual preferences, I don't think there's a whole lot of value in saying specifically what it is that is causing the associated problems. Medically speaking, unless you disclose that you have committed a crime, they can't like, out you or anything, but there is a real possibility that it could harm your relationship with your therapist if they are particularly biased against zoophilia. Even medical professionals have biases that are difficult to completely ignore/mask. So yeah, they'll likely try to convince you to be completely open, and it is possible that something good comes of it if you choose to disclose, but I think the odds are most likely in favor of it really not being good or bad. I would focus on the actual problems that are directly related to your zoophilia without explicitly stating it, but that's just my opinion.

 

[wishboner]

I'd recommend not doing it but since you already opened pandora's box, only talk in past tense like it's something from your past because they could report current illegal activities.

 

[doornaildorthy]

Look for the hidden cameras in the plants. Don't forget to play the white snow when you say what you did with a animal there recording you. 1984 big brother is watching.