Posted by Dinah on January 9, 2012, at 11:01:59
It's funny, because I never idealized my therapist per se.
But I *have* classed him with parents (pre-teen). That however imperfect he was, he somehow had the ability to protect me.
I think I am beginning to see him as just another person. When I'm feeling distressed, I can still manage to cloak him in the super-parent cape. But a lot of the time, I see him as another person, just as I am.
He's not a great parent. In fact, he said something to me in passing that led me to feel compelled to say something stern as a mother. I did ask his permission first. I don't know that I'd want to spend time with him outside session. I'm not saying he's a terrible person. He's not. He's a pretty good guy.
But... I miss the day when it would never occur to me to refer to my therapist as a guy, pretty good or not.
Is this a necessary part of the therapeutic journey? Why can't I let him keep his cape? What's so bad about having a Super-Parent in one's life?
poster:Dinah
thread:1006771
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20111220/msgs/1006771.html