Married At First Sight’s Natasha Spencer lashes out at Dr Trisha Stratford

Married At First Sight relationship expert Dr. Trisha Stratford revealed this week that she quit the show because felt ‘sick’ over the direction the program was taking. 

In an interview with Woman’s Day New Zealand, Trisha said she was worried about the contestants’ ‘fragility’ and said she quit the show because she ‘couldn’t compromise my professional and personal standards’. 

However the comments did not sit well with Natasha Spencer, 26, who appeared on season seven of the reality TV experiment last year. 

Anger: Married At First Sight’s Natasha Spencer (pictured) has penned an angry response to Dr Trisha Stratford, suggesting the psychologist should have offered more support to contestants – after the relationship expert claimed she ‘compromised her standards’ on the show

Posting to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Tash shared a section of quotes that appeared in the Woman’s Day article, and penned a response to the psychologist. 

‘That article is nothing more than a slap in the face. @drtrishstratford where were these comments during filming?’ she wrote. 

‘If you were so concerned about the fragility of the contestants why did you not take the opportunity to check in with us?’ 

Tash wrote: 'Where were these comments during filming? If you were so concerned about the fragility of the contestants why did you not take the opportunity to check in with us?'

Tash wrote: ‘Where were these comments during filming? If you were so concerned about the fragility of the contestants why did you not take the opportunity to check in with us?’

She continued: 'Your professional integrity was compromise the moment you became a puppet to the MAFS producers'

She continued: ‘Your professional integrity was compromise the moment you became a puppet to the MAFS producers’ 

‘In fact all judges were evasive and segregated from the contestants except when being told what to do through their earpieces on camera,’ she continued. 

‘Your professional integrity was compromise the moment you became a puppet to the MAFS producers. To be paid for a tell all article in an attempt to redeem yourself is the real testament to your “personal standards.”‘

It’s unclear if Dr Trisha Stratford received any payment for her interview with Woman’s Day New Zealand. 

Tash also told fans that despite MAFS being a social experiment, she believed ‘contestants aren’t chosen by the “professionals” for their compatibility.’ 

Speaking to Woman's Day New Zealand, the psychologist revealed she 'felt sick' while on the show: 'I couldn't compromise my professional and personal standards because there were participants on the show who I felt shouldn't have been there,' she said. Dr Trisha is pictured

Speaking to Woman’s Day New Zealand, the psychologist revealed she ‘felt sick’ while on the show: ‘I couldn’t compromise my professional and personal standards because there were participants on the show who I felt shouldn’t have been there,’ she said. Dr Trisha is pictured

Star: Natasha appeared on season seven of the reality TV experiment last year (pictured)

 Star: Natasha appeared on season seven of the reality TV experiment last year (pictured)

‘Mental health is pushed aside from the very beginning and contestants are nothing more than disposable to production unless you play by their rules,’ she continued.  

She then concluded: “Absolutely deplorable behaviour. I don’t even feel validated or vindicated. Just disgusted in the “truth”, the timing and the pay check.’ 

Daily Mail has reached out to Dr Trisha Stratford and Channel Nine for comment.

Speaking to Woman’s Day New Zealand this week, the psychologist, who was part of the show’s panel of relationship experts, also including John Aiken and Mel Schilling, revealed she felt conflicted while appearing on the program.    

Confession: 'If someone gets through the critical selection process, when we say we don't want them on the show because they're quite fragile, they're not going to do well after the show,' Dr Trish said. Pictured with fellow experts Mel Schilling and John Aiken

Confession: ‘If someone gets through the critical selection process, when we say we don’t want them on the show because they’re quite fragile, they’re not going to do well after the show,’ Dr Trish said. Pictured with fellow experts Mel Schilling and John Aiken

‘By the end, I couldn’t compromise my professional and personal standards because there were participants on the show who I felt shouldn’t have been there,’ she said.   

‘If someone gets through the critical selection process, when we say we don’t want them on the show because they’re quite fragile, they’re not going to do well after the show,’ she said. 

The New Zealand-based therapist went on to say what the contestants go through is ‘a tough gig psychologically’ and she compared it to experiencing ‘conflict in war zones’. 

Out: In September 2020, Dr Stratford confirmed that she had parted ways from Married At First Sight after seven seasons

Out: In September 2020, Dr Stratford confirmed that she had parted ways from Married At First Sight after seven seasons

‘At a couple of dinner parties I felt sick. I felt in my guts that this wasn’t what I’d want to be watching at home on TV,’ Trish added. 

In September 2020, Dr Stratford confirmed that she had parted ways from Married At First Sight after seven seasons. 

Trish has been replaced by Alessandra Rampolla, 46, a clinical sexologist from Puerto Rico.   

For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on: 13 11 14

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Racy days ahead: Trish has been replaced by Alessandra Rampolla, 46, (pictured) a clinical sexologist from Puerto Rico

Racy days ahead: Trish has been replaced by Alessandra Rampolla, 46, (pictured) a clinical sexologist from Puerto Rico