Posted by Dinah on July 22, 2003, at 12:14:57
In reply to Emotions of the therapist, posted by judy1 on July 22, 2003, at 11:54:18
I have to agree, to a fair extent, Judy, that what we think our therapists think of us speaks more of us than of them in many cases. I'm always apologizing to my therapist for being an annoying client. Last time, in considerable irritation, he reminded me that he had told me several times that I am not an annoying client, and asked if I didn't trust him to tell me the truth. I answered softly that perhaps the statement said more of what I thought of myself than what I thought of him.
I do think it would be strange indeed if someone who saw you once or twice a week for years and heard your most intimate thoughts didn't have some sort of personal feelings for you, good or bad. Stronger for some clients than others. But it's their responsibility to keep those feelings to themselves for the most part, so as not to harm us if the feelings are negative, and so as not to seduce with dangling more than they can deliver if the feelings are positive. It's a professional relationship and has to remain that.
poster:Dinah
thread:220332
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030711/msgs/244257.html