Therapy in a Nutshell membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership
Good therapists uphold the professional and ethical standards required in their role. Knowing what signs to look for in a therapist can help protect your mental health and ensure you receive the right care. In this video we discuss yellow flags in therapy—small warning signs that something might be off—as well as the more obvious red flags, which may indicate your therapist is not just a poor fit but could be acting unethically.
It’s important to be aware of “yellow flag” behaviors that might cause concern. Maybe your therapist seems distracted, or therapy feels stagnant, or therapy doesn’t feel safe. Anything that shifts the focus away from your well-being can diminish the therapeutic relationship. If these small warning signs go unaddressed, they could erode trust over time.
If you notice some of these concerning behaviors, especially severe breaches of ethics, it may be time to change therapists. A good therapist supports you in building a healthier, more resilient mindset—without adding to your distress. While it can feel daunting to leave a therapist—especially if you’ve built a rapport—remember that your emotional well-being is the priority. You can address your concerns directly or choose to move on without confrontation. And when you’re looking for a new therapist, be sure to check credentials, seek referrals from trusted sources, and use initial consultations to gauge fit.
By being informed about both the subtle yellow flags and the more glaring red flags, you can better protect yourself and maintain a high standard of care.
00:00 Intro
01:08 Ending therapy
02:55 Therapy that empowers you
03:59 Inappropriate boundaries in therapy
04:27 Therapy feels stagnant
05:24 Breach of confidentiality
06:28 Therapy doesn't feel safe
08:35 Mismatched therapy needs
09:43 Therapist in teacher mode
10:39 Therapist advises for supplements
11:57 Dual relationships in therapy
14:43 Therapy cost and frequency
17:14 Therapist disagrees with you
17:40 Therapy doesn't feel helpful
18:35 Therapist's realm of competence
19:32 Therapist supports growth
20:17 Therapist's views on your religion
22:23 Therapy gives hope
23:16 Therapist cares about you
23:31 Therapist you can trust
23:53 Therapist understands you
26:41 Crying in session
27:20 Avoiding vs. accommodating
30:07 Therapist qualifications
33:51 Client focus
34:16 Therapy progress plateau
35:08 "Just get over it"
35:23 Explaining your treatment
35:47 Trauma-informed therapist
37:38 Setting therapy goals
38:14 Helping your blind spots
38:28 Therapist labels non-clients
40:23 Therapist remembers your details
41:32 Coping skills vs. healing in therapy
42:08 Person-centered therapy
42:27 Therapy effectiveness
42:48 Insensitive comments from therapist
43:31 Therapist encourages reflection
43:50 Finding the right therapist
Transcript: https://therapyinanutshell.com/yellow-flags-in-therapy/
Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell
FREE Mental Health Resources: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/free-resources
Check out my podcast, Therapy in a Nutshell: https://tinpodcast.podbean.com/
Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.
And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe
If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 988 or your local emergency services.
Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC
Good therapists uphold the professional and ethical standards required in their role. Knowing what signs to look for in a therapist can help protect your mental health and ensure you receive the right care. In this video we discuss yellow flags in therapy—small warning signs that something might be off—as well as the more obvious red flags, which may indicate your therapist is not just a poor fit but could be acting unethically.
It’s important to be aware of “yellow flag” behaviors that might cause concern. Maybe your therapist seems distracted, or therapy feels stagnant, or therapy doesn’t feel safe. Anything that shifts the focus away from your well-being can diminish the therapeutic relationship. If these small warning signs go unaddressed, they could erode trust over time.
If you notice some of these concerning behaviors, especially severe breaches of ethics, it may be time to change therapists. A good therapist supports you in building a healthier, more resilient mindset—without adding to your distress. While it can feel daunting to leave a therapist—especially if you’ve built a rapport—remember that your emotional well-being is the priority. You can address your concerns directly or choose to move on without confrontation. And when you’re looking for a new therapist, be sure to check credentials, seek referrals from trusted sources, and use initial consultations to gauge fit.
By being informed about both the subtle yellow flags and the more glaring red flags, you can better protect yourself and maintain a high standard of care.
00:00 Intro
01:08 Ending therapy
02:55 Therapy that empowers you
03:59 Inappropriate boundaries in therapy
04:27 Therapy feels stagnant
05:24 Breach of confidentiality
06:28 Therapy doesn't feel safe
08:35 Mismatched therapy needs
09:43 Therapist in teacher mode
10:39 Therapist advises for supplements
11:57 Dual relationships in therapy
14:43 Therapy cost and frequency
17:14 Therapist disagrees with you
17:40 Therapy doesn't feel helpful
18:35 Therapist's realm of competence
19:32 Therapist supports growth
20:17 Therapist's views on your religion
22:23 Therapy gives hope
23:16 Therapist cares about you
23:31 Therapist you can trust
23:53 Therapist understands you
26:41 Crying in session
27:20 Avoiding vs. accommodating
30:07 Therapist qualifications
33:51 Client focus
34:16 Therapy progress plateau
35:08 "Just get over it"
35:23 Explaining your treatment
35:47 Trauma-informed therapist
37:38 Setting therapy goals
38:14 Helping your blind spots
38:28 Therapist labels non-clients
40:23 Therapist remembers your details
41:32 Coping skills vs. healing in therapy
42:08 Person-centered therapy
42:27 Therapy effectiveness
42:48 Insensitive comments from therapist
43:31 Therapist encourages reflection
43:50 Finding the right therapist
Transcript: https://therapyinanutshell.com/yellow-flags-in-therapy/
Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell
FREE Mental Health Resources: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/free-resources
Check out my podcast, Therapy in a Nutshell: https://tinpodcast.podbean.com/
Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.
And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe
If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 988 or your local emergency services.
Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC