08/11/2025
đ„ I really enjoyed the 1st season of the Netflix series Nobody Wants This so I was looking forward to season 2.
â€ïžThe show explores topical issues around interfaith relationships, identity and family patterns. We see how the main character Joanneâs childhood - watching her motherâs unhealthy marriage, shapes her relationship fears & her conflict in trying to convert to Judaism while being honest with herself. Strong psychological material here! I thought the main coupleâs storyline did well in depicting healthy communication, accountability and self reflection.
đBUT I have a major problem with the rest of the show this season - from the moment it happened, I felt uncomfortable and got the ICK. Wanted to share why:
đš The Morgan-Dr. Andy Relationship
Morgan enters a romantic relationship with her therapist, Dr. Andy, after terminating therapyï»ż. As a psychologist, I need to address why this is problematic.
It is NEVER ethical for therapists to date clients before, during, or rarely even afterwards, due to enduring power imbalances and emotional vulnerability that persist long after therapy endsï»ż. This isnât just a guidelineâitâs fundamental protection against exploitation.
đ§šThe show demonstrates exactly why: Dr. Andy weaponizes confidential information from therapy sessions against Morgan in arguments, using knowledge of her trauma + âinner childâ to manipulate herï»ż. We learn heâs also dated other former patients ï»żâa predatory pattern
đȘThe concept of Transferenceâwhere clients unconsciously redirect feelings toward therapists, including romantic desireâis well-documentedï»ż. Therapists are trained to know and identify this and maintain boundaries precisely because this vulnerability. This is parallels power differential similar to teacher-student or doctor-patient relationships where consent cannot be truly free
đ Morgan realizes this dysfunction and ends their relationship but the damage was already done. The show normalised ethical violations and misconduct which sends a dangerous message that these boundaries are negotiable. Professional boundaries are meant to protect the vulnerable from exploitation
âhow did this storyline land for you?