Therapist feeling inauthentic self.vegan
submitted 15 hours ago * by ondainterwebz
Part of me considered posting this in [r/therapists](r/therapists), but I *know* how talk of veganism tends to go in any non-vegan space, and it’s especially disappointing in therapist spaces.
That’s exactly why I’m posting. I’m leftist, and there isn’t a more disappointing group of people to me than non-vegan “leftist”/“anti-fascist” therapists—so willing to condemn colonialism and capitalism (very rightfully), yet so unwilling to examine their own conditioning when it comes to animals they still view as objects for their own use and pleasure.
I’m struggling every week; their non-vegan views are ironically being pushed down my throat constantly. I don’t feel I can say much, if anything at all, because I know how that goes. I don’t mind it with clients (I feel very competent in managing my reactions then), but it’s different with therapists.
I could give plenty of examples. The latest was being in a group where everyone talked about going to circuses and zoos, explicitly naming the animals’ suffering and saying things like “that sounds so unethical,” while still laughing and continuing to go. It’s the kind of disconnect that really gets to me. In that case, I had to give a presentation right after that. I already struggle with public speaking, and those comments made it 10x worse. I’ve had to leave class other times just to go cry.
I’m about 4.5 months away from graduating and seeing clients, so I’m trying to figure out how to do this without continuing to emotionally shut down, etc. I feel the need to say that I work in what most would consider some of the most challenging settings (residential with SMI and forensics), so not having a strong stomach is not the issue here. Also, for more context, most people in the program—especially those making these comments, including many whom I’ve trusted—know I’m vegan.
I’m mostly wondering whether any fellow vegan therapists have words of encouragement, guidance, or experience navigating this challenge. Thank you so much.

Edit: The feeling of inauthenticity comes from feeling like I can’t really speak up and like I have to just be okay with things so I don’t make a scene, ostracize myself from other therapists, or push people further away from the vegan movement.
Edit 2: I think I just need my own vegan therapist lmao.