Invalided by my former therapist, now a therapist myself.

I went to a therapist when I was 21. At the end of the first session, she asked "Anything else you'd like me to know?" And I disclosed that I was questioning whether I was ace. The therapist responded judgmentally "Oh I wouldn't jump to that so fast." Session over. In their defense, diminished interest in sex could be caused by wide array of things. However, it was the first, and I'm ashamed to say, last time I've ever verbalized that to anybody.

I knew nothing about therapy and had no prospects of becoming a therapist at the time. Well now I am a therapist, and know a lot about it. Somewhere during my training I realized how terribly impactful that comment from my former therapist was. I wish I knew then what I know now, but because I saw her as a professional and "expert," I really doubted myself and felt abnormal. I just want to share how sorry I am to anybody whose felt judged and harmed by therapists, and that the power differential in therapy is so real and makes it so much worse.

Fast forward to today, I'm a licensed counselor. One thing bothering me is a takeaway from our human sexuality class in grad school. The gist was typical things like humility, comfort, and nonjudgment, but also the idea that the therapist themself should be resolved, certain, and comfortable in their own sexual identity. Every time that'd come up, I'd think like "Aw shucks I'm not, but whatever, with time it'll resolve itself." Clearly it hasn't. While I do see a different therapist now that I feel safer with, I think sharing here is a needed "first step" for me.

https://redd.it/1p0xl07
@asexualityonreddit

Just came out to my mom but she said it's because I'm "sexually immature"

I'm 19 and I just told my mom. She told me that it's because I'm as mature as a 12 year old sexually and she said that I shouldn't put a label on myself that easily (she knows I hate labels)
Now I'm doubting my entire identity and I'm too embarrassed to even look at her :/

https://redd.it/1p18crq
@asexualityonreddit

Appreciation of ace fiction by my sister
https://redd.it/1p19uez
@asexualityonreddit

Have you ever shared a bed with someone non-sexually?





https://redd.it/1p17f3a
@asexualityonreddit

I'm so tired of sex

I'm mostly sex neutral but I do get sex averse sometimes. I'm tired of the constant sexualisation all over the internet and it's just so fucking disgusting to me I'm sorry. I hate the details of how sex works and how u have to be naked and it just looks and feels so terrible. Even while I was drunk outta my mind i hated it :/

https://redd.it/1p17xzq
@asexualityonreddit