The Introverted Therapist's Nightmare

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Ever been caught in that awkward moment when someone recognizes you but you can't place them? For therapists living and working in the same community, these encounters create what I call "introverted therapist nightmares"—those uncomfortable moments when professional boundaries and social niceties collide.

In today's conversation, I share how these encounters unfold and why I often tell therapy clients I'll pretend not to know them in public. It's not about being cold or dismissive—it's about protecting confidentiality when they're out with friends or family who might not know they're in therapy. But what happens when roles blur, especially as I've transitioned to more community workshops and training? That moment of panic when someone approaches with a friendly "Hey Beth!" and I'm frantically searching my memory banks trying to determine if they were a client, a workshop participant, or someone else entirely.

The solution came in a beautiful moment of clarity during a recent encounter when someone approached me saying, "Hey Beth, it's me, Jessie. I used to work for the Y." That simple self-identification immediately dissolved any potential awkwardness. Consider this your invitation to adopt this practice—when approaching someone you haven't seen in a while, especially professionals who interact with many people, a quick reminder of how you know each other can be an act of genuine kindness that eases social anxiety on both sides.

Also in this episode, I'm excited to announce that Marie Sloane returns this Friday to share practical techniques for staying regulated when the world around us feels increasingly chaotic. Plus, registration remains open for my virtual Kindergarten Boot Camp starting June 1st—a comprehensive program designed to build social-emotional readiness skills in soon-to-be kindergartners while giving parents concrete tools to support this important transition. Visit bethtrammell.com for more details and to secure your spot! Have you experienced similar social navigation challenges? I'd love to hear your stories and solutions.

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