Posted by Honore on April 10, 2007, at 20:31:02
In reply to what would be so wrong...???, posted by gazo on April 10, 2007, at 18:00:31
The problem is usually dealt with under the category of "boundaries." Having clearly defined boundaries is not usual in most human relationships outisde of therapy. Also not usual, and connected to well-defined and limited boundaries is a certain special kind of caring and attentiveness, and an unusual kind of putting aside of self-interest to further the interest of the patient-- also not an aspect of casual or friendly human relationships.
There s particular requirement of guardianship and concern, and a corresponding limit on the types and places of interaction, which safeguards both patient and therapist and permits this special relationship to exist outisde of the usual discontinuities and disruptions of everyday casual friendships and acquainceships.
Getting to know your T casually, or socially, raise all sorts of problems, such as unequal desire for a degree of amount of contact, privacy and confidentiality issues, and many others.
It strikes me as a desire that might lead to disappointments, rejections, misunderstandings, and the loss of the protection of the really important work that therapy makes possible.
So I dont' think it's a good idea to have casual cups of coffee with Ts. Perhaps there are some Ts who allow such relationships, but it cou ld very well inhibit, or even prevent the type of intensive working together that's most helpful when that type of contact is avoided.
Honore
poster:Honore
thread:748836
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070406/msgs/748893.html