Running Into Your Therapist Outside of Session? Here’s What to Know from a Trauma Therapist Atlanta
Have you ever been out grocery shopping, grabbing coffee, or just going about your day—only to suddenly spot your therapist across the room? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, I have even run into my therapist several times over the years. It’s surprisingly common.
And yet, even though it happens, it can stir up a lot of feelings: awkwardness, confusion, maybe even a little anxiety. How are you supposed to respond? Should you say hello? Pretend you didn’t notice? Worry about whether they’ll come over and say something to you?
As a trauma therapist in Atlanta, I want to gently reassure you: there’s no right or wrong way to handle seeing your therapist in public. But it can help to think about it ahead of time so that if it does happen, you feel a little more prepared and a little less caught off guard.
In this blog, we’ll talk about why it can feel so strange, what therapists typically expect, and some simple tips to help you navigate those unexpected encounters with ease.
Why It Feels Awkward to See Your Therapist in Public
Therapy is a uniquely private space. It’s one of the few places in life where the focus is completely on you—your thoughts, your feelings, your experiences—held within a container of confidentiality and trust.
When you unexpectedly see your therapist outside of that space, it can feel like two very different worlds colliding. Suddenly, the person you associate with deep emotional work is standing in line for coffee or picking out produce, just like anyone else. It can make you wonder, Am I supposed to say something? Do they want me to? You might feel exposed, unsure, or even a little vulnerable.
I want you to know that these feelings are completely normal. They often reflect just how important the therapeutic relationship is to you. The good news is, most therapists anticipate that this might happen and have professional guidelines they follow to protect your privacy and comfort in public settings.
I recently attended a meeting with other therapists where we spent an entire hour talking about how to navigate these kinds of interactions. It was clear that, while every therapist might have their own slightly different approach, the heart of the conversation was the same: we want our clients to feel safe, respected, and supported—even outside of the therapy room.
What Therapists Typically Expect in Public Encounters
Most therapists understand that running into a client outside of session can feel awkward—for both of you. That’s why many therapists, including myself as a trauma therapist in Atlanta, follow a simple principle: the client leads the interaction.
This means that if we happen to cross paths—whether at a grocery store, a park, or a community event—I will not initiate contact. It’s not because I’m being cold or unfriendly. It’s because I want to protect your privacy.
You get to decide if you want to say hello, make eye contact, wave—or not engage at all.
There’s no expectation that you have to interact. Some clients prefer a quick smile and move on. Others feel comfortable stopping for a brief hello. Some might not acknowledge the therapist at all, and that’s completely acceptable, too.
Therapists are trained to respect these boundaries, knowing that you might be with friends, family, or others who don't know about your therapy work. Confidentiality doesn't end when you leave the therapy office—it extends into the community.
In short:
You are never obligated to acknowledge your therapist in public.
If you do want to say hi, your therapist will follow your lead with warmth and respect.
Your therapist’s priority is your emotional safety and confidentiality, always.
Knowing this ahead of time can help ease the pressure if you ever find yourself unexpectedly face-to-face with your therapist outside of session.
Tips for Handling an Unexpected Encounter with Your Therapist
Even with a clear understanding that you’re in control, it’s completely normal to feel a little awkward or unsure when you unexpectedly run into your therapist. Here are a few gentle tips to help you navigate it in a way that feels right for you:
1. Remember: You’re Not Doing Anything Wrong
Seeing your therapist outside of session isn’t something to feel embarrassed about. It happens! You’re allowed to exist in public spaces without any expectation or pressure to behave a certain way.
2. Take a Breath and Check In With Yourself
If you spot your therapist and feel a rush of emotion (nervousness, excitement, awkwardness, etc.), pause for a moment. Notice what you’re feeling without judgment. Then ask yourself: Do I want to engage, or would I rather not? There’s no wrong answer.
3. You Can Choose How Much (or How Little) to Interact
You might decide to simply make eye contact and smile. You might walk past without acknowledging them. Or you might stop to say a quick hello. Any of these options are completely valid. Your comfort is what matters most.
4. Keep It Light and Simple if You Choose to Engage
If you do say hello, there’s no need to dive into deep conversations or bring up therapy topics. A simple, “Hi, good to see you!” is more than enough. Your therapist will understand and match the tone you set.
5. Bring It Up in Your Next Session If You Want To
If the encounter felt a little strange or brought up emotions you didn’t expect, it’s perfectly okay (and often really helpful) to talk about it during your next session. Processing these moments can deepen the therapeutic relationship and build even greater trust.
When Someone You're With Tries to Talk to Your Therapist
It can feel even more confusing when you’re with a friend or family member who tries to greet or strike up a conversation with your therapist. While you may be okay with them doing this, what you may not realize is that therapists are ethically and legally bound to protect your privacy—even in public. This means your therapist can’t acknowledge that they know you, can’t introduce themselves, and may not say anything at all. While this is a protective boundary, it can feel awkward or even hurtful in the moment. You might feel exposed, dismissed, or unsure how to explain what just happened. It’s okay to feel that way. What matters is remembering that your therapist isn’t being rude—they’re prioritizing your confidentiality. If the encounter leaves you feeling unsettled, it’s completely valid to bring it up in your next session so you can process what came up for you together.
How to Bring It Up Later in Therapy
If seeing your therapist outside of session leaves you feeling unsettled, it’s completely okay. It can often really be helpful to talk about it when you're back in the therapy room. In fact, bringing it up can deepen your work together and strengthen your sense of safety in the relationship.
Your therapist will welcome this conversation with openness and curiosity, not judgment. It's an opportunity to better understand any deeper patterns that might be surfacing, such as fears of being seen, worries about boundaries, or old messages about relationships. Your therapist might bring it up to check in with how you felt about your unexpected encounter with them outside the office.
Remember: therapy is not just about what happens inside the session. It's also about how you experience connection, vulnerability, and safety outside of it. Processing those real-world moments together can be a powerful part of your healing.
Final Thoughts: It's Okay to Be Human
Running into your therapist outside of session can stir up all kinds of emotions. Feeling uneasy about it is not a sign that something is wrong. It’s a reminder that therapy is a real relationship between two real people.
Healing happens not by avoiding these moments, but by being curious about them. When you bring your honest experiences into your therapy sessions, you’re giving yourself a chance to be fully seen, understood, and supported—even in the places that feel messy or uncertain.
Kristy Brewer is a therapist Atlanta offering online therapy in Georgia helping people find peace amidst the chaos. Her specialties include trauma therapy, attachment therapy for trauma within toxic relationships, anxiety therapy, depression therapy, and parents raising a traumatized child.
Request a free 15-minute phone consultation today by clicking here.
