Posted by shrinking violet on July 28, 2005, at 21:31:22
In reply to Lott: guest author for a week, posted by Dr. Bob on July 28, 2005, at 8:33:55
Hello Ms. Lott,
Thank you for agreeing to be our guest. :-)
I admit I haven't quite formally prepared this question ahead of time, so forgive me if it's a bit jumbled.
I have read your book, although admittedly it was a while back. I wonder, though, if any and alls feelings the client has for the therapist, and vice versa, are transferential? Must it always be labeled? Can't two people have a special connection and caring for each other without having a term attached to it? I understand that transference is very common, as is projection, etc, and other dynamics in a clinical relationship. But it seems to me that therapists are always so quick to label any feeling from or towards a client, as if they are afraid of the feelings they themselves encourage their clients to express. I spent two years in therapy with a University counselor, and she and I grew to care for each other deeply, and had a very special and warm relationship. I wonder now, was it real and genuine, or was it just a therapeutic tactic on her part? It seems odd to me that everyone jumps to label such interactions just because of how the two people met, just b/c they happen to be client and therapist, but essentially they are two people. I've also read "When Boundaries Betray Us" by Dr. Carter, which touches on this issue.
Again, please forgive any confusions. I'm just curious to hear your opinions on this topic.
Thank you,
sv
poster:shrinking violet
thread:534691
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050725/msgs/535070.html