Should I tell my therapist I smoke weed?

[Anonymous]

I started therapy about 2 months ago, still doing weekly appointments via Zoom. I started going because I'm bulimic, we've started to discuss that the reason behind it may be childhood trauma that I experienced, and being completely controlled by my parents as a teenager/young adult. I'm 21, and smoke weed about 4 times a week. It doesn't interfere with my day to day life. Should I tell her or she doesn't need to know? Will she judge me?

[Anonymous]

She's not going to judge you, you're a patient to her, she's not there to judge. But does she need to know? It wouldn't hurt to mention it, it might help explain some things, or maybe not, it might be irrelevant, but in either case, she's not going to judge you. You should feel comfortable to be completely open and honest with her.

[slatyb]

Yes, you should tell your therapist everything that could be relevant. The therapist won’t shame you for it. If they do then you need a different therapist.

[potatoiswhoiam]

Therapists are not there to judge you. You should know that a therapist is good when you feel comfortable to share things with them.. anything that's on your mind. So yes, if you feel comfortable about it, do mention it.

[BlackWidow93]

No? Patient doctor confidentiality only goes so far.

[Asker]

What's the point of a therapist then? Isn't the whole point to be 100% honest to get to the root if the issue, no matter how emotional, and how to deal with it in a healthy manner?

[BlackWidow93]

It should be but therapists only listen to your issues. They aren't confidants

[Anonymous]

I would suggest that you DO tell your therapist. Since weed use can be tied in with eating, it can be intertwined with your issues in some way. Plus weed can have issues with the way you think, etc. So I think the therapist should know.

[AaronKrieger]

I'd just tell her, so it's out of the way. She likely has had other patients that smoke weed as well.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think she needs to know unless you think it’s having an impact on your mental health... be honest with yourself.

[codyccc]

Yes especially if she wants to give you medication because they could interfere

[AzureGirl]

I would tell her if you think she should know.

[Gedaria]

If the question is asked you should...

[Asker]

It hasn't been asked. But in our last session she said with all my other relationships I tend to hide a part of myself, and we need to be aware of that, and that I need to try to not do that with her. And I sometimes tend to binge and purge when high as well which I haven't told her.

[Gedaria]

Sadly I would tell her, it could help her to help you

[Iron_Man]

Yeah