I'm a psychologist. When I'm in a social situation where this might be an issue I relate a story told to me by a professors years ago. I say " you know years ago a professor was discussing a situation that was going to come up for everyone in the class. You'll be in a social situation, meeting new people and when you say you're a psychologist someone will say: "I'll bet you're analyzing all of us right now", to which the response that tends to defuse the issue is: "not for free I'm not." Everyone has a laugh and then forgets what you do for a living.

I'm a social worker. That'll stop from pursue your career unless you're like me are curious about it and want details.

I would find that profession appealing in that it would give me reason to believe that you at the very least are a skilled communicator who doesn't avoid the difficult talks. Perhaps the people you are encountering are concerned about their own level of communication within relationships.

I think that if they can not handle what you do for a living you should not be with them anyway.

My advice while not being all that gentle would be "You should get over it." You're a behavioral health professional so you most likely understand their behavior. On top of that would you ever tell someone to hide or shy away from who they are because other people are uncomfortable? Wouldn't that over time be damaging to your own persona and identity?

You are who you are, some people will be uncomfortable and that's too bad. You may even have a few relationships that suffer due to that fact but you know you don't need those people in your life anyhow. Suck it up buttercup, brush that shoulder off and own what you do.

Because they're afraid of being analysed.

They feel like you have them under a microscope. We all live under constant surveillance, and just because we are use to that feeling, we can take some comfort in the fact that there's probably no one psycho analyzing us on the other end.

I am in the same postition, experience the same thing and don't really have a solution. I don't lie about what I do but don't bring it up right off the bat

I think most people will think you’re going to analyze their every thought, word, and deed and it makes them uncomfortable. They don’t realize that you’re as fucked up as everybody else. Lol

They think you're going to shrink them. I'm a social psychologist but when people heard that second word they had the same reaction to me. What I did was tell people I met that I was a teacher. That was sort of true. Interestingly a lot of people assumed I taught kindergarten instead of college students. See if you can pick a task or skill from your work and mak that your job title. But be careful about looking mysterious and taking notes during conversations. It might scare people away!

I don't understand that reaction, either.

I guess some people are afraid you'll see who they really are!

I can't relate to those people at all....I would be that one annoying person that would ask for free advice!!!! I wouldn't stop telling people what you do. The way I see it is that those who shy away have something to hide and those who don't have nothing to hide? Easy way to know who you want in your circle and who you don't want in your circle.

Because they are sociopaths & know you will call them on it.

..is it cuz such a high percentage of folks having gotten into that field did so to figure out WTF was wrong with them … or that you’re gonna instantly figure them out If I had life to do over I think I’d like to be doing what you’re doing … for whatever reason Be proud, you’ve a skill ~

I guess people are figuring you are silently judging them. I would imagine if your profession was fitness consultant you'd have difficulty connecting with the unfit.

Good question. People are inquisitive.
No matter how you phrase it they'll keep asking til you tell them.
So, tell them and be amused at their responses.
Lying about it isn't going to work.

Do you try and analyze people you meet? If you do stop that.
If not then I'd say your not meeting the right kind of people.