Yellow Flags in a Therapist

Jun 14, 2025

Kirsten Walters, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in ADHD and neurodiversity, dives into the subtle 'yellow flags' and glaring red flags in therapy. She discusses how long-term therapy without progress can be problematic and stresses the importance of empowering clients. Kirsten warns against therapists who blur boundaries, offer unverified medical advice, or minimize feelings. They also explore the necessity for therapists to maintain cultural humility, focus on client needs, and encourage facing difficult issues head-on.

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ADVICE

Expect Cultural Competence And Curiosity

Find therapists who understand or actively learn about your culture.
Therapists should not make clients teach basic cultural context or dismiss lived experiences.

ADVICE

Use Accommodations To Enable Action

Use diagnoses to secure accommodations, not to avoid responsibilities.
Aim for accommodations that enable action and skill development, not excuses.

ADVICE

Confirm Training Versus Certification

Clarify whether a therapist is merely trained or fully certified in specialized methods.
Prefer certified practitioners for intensive brain-based techniques like EMDR when possible.

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Every therapist upholds the professional and ethical standards required in their role. Knowing what signs to look for can help you protect your mental health and ensure you receive the care you deserve. In this video, we’ll discuss the subtle 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. We’ll also cover strategies for deciding if it’s time to change therapists and how to begin that transition smoothly.

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.

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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 at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services.