Posted by Karen_kay on January 19, 2004, at 11:03:27
In reply to Encouraging transference?, posted by All Done on January 19, 2004, at 1:01:52
Well, my first appointment I told my therapist I would most likely develope a crush on him, as I do this with most authority figures in my life. So, he wouldn't really need to encourage anything! But, I'd say he most definetly has flirted with me, or I can pretend, right?
Though, if a therapist flirts with a client, isn't it hard to say then whether the feelings are truly feelings of transference or whether they are just naturally a crush on someone who listens and actively (or passively I suppose) flirts back. To encourage a client to flirt is one thing but to flirt with a client is another thing entirely. Not saying it is wrong necessarily (but you know I dislike Beefcake :)), but I would think that a therapist should let those feelings run their natural course.
Now the "flirty" things you were talking about IMO, were just showing interest. I think they were just showing the other person that you were listening to them and were openly interested in hearing what they had to say.
Why encourage transference issues if a client doesn't have any to begin with? This is interesting though. I may ask my therapist if he was trained to do this type of thing.
BTW, I don't think he wears a college jacket. I resent that remark! :( Orange and Purple?? Yucky!
poster:Karen_kay
thread:302564
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040116/msgs/302724.html