Posted by Tabitha on October 9, 2003, at 15:25:24
In reply to Re: Uncle! » jay, posted by Dinah on October 9, 2003, at 14:14:41
Dinah I think it depends on the type of therapy and training of the therapist. When you and I say 'therapy' we're thinking of long-term, open-ended, interpersonal work. Those types of therapies include the client's feelings toward the therapist as part of the work-- so it's desirable and even necessary to voice them. And I still think any therapist who's skilled in keeping good emotional boundaries with their clients would be able to handle such a disclosure. They wouldn't want to encourage an attraction or act on it of course-- but it wouldn't be a taboo topic of discussion.
My therapist encourages me to tell her any of my feelings toward her. She still manages to keep her 'self' out of the room and keep the focus on me and my feelings. Usually discussing my feelings toward her only takes part of the session, then it feels resolved for me and we go on to my stuff. I'm amazed at her skill in this regard. I know almost nothing about her and her feelings, yet I still feel attached and cared for. I have not developed an erotic transference or a love obsession during our therapy. I don't know if that's me or her skill-- but I think her skill at keeping the focus on me has a lot to do with it.
poster:Tabitha
thread:266267
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030925/msgs/267377.html