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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pinkeye on August 4, 2005, at 13:24:47
Dear Miss Lott,
What should a therapist do when he/she develops countertransference towards a patient? Can she/he continue to see the patient? What if the feelings become extremely negative and they start disliking the patient? How are they supposed to handle intense likings/dislikings? ARe they supposed to stop all contact with a client if they develop such feelings?
In my case, I am now pretty sure my pschiatrist developed some intense negative feelings towards me. And he terminated me and stopped all contact with me. Initially he said he would even give me a referral etc, but then now when I asked for one, he didn't give me that also. And I think I really didn't do anything specific to irritate him too much. But I am very sure he somehow started disliking me and didn't want to have anything to do with me - and that also almost suddenly. I have tried to figure out what I did wrong, and I have asked him, but he never replies. I think I perhaps irritated him by asking few times if he liked me etc. But I don't think it is such a horrible thing for a patient to do things like that.
Posted by Lorne on August 5, 2005, at 14:43:05
In reply to Lott: Question about countertransference, posted by pinkeye on August 4, 2005, at 13:24:47
I read your message, and I'd like to respond to it. Take the advice for what its worth:
I don't think this is an issue of counter-transference. We don't know what your psychiatrist thought of you, or about you. It is very clear that you had some transference going with the psychiatrist, which is why you asked if he like you (it would be counter-transference if he asked if you like him...).
In a case such as this I think that the psychiatrist did the right thing in removing himself from a relationship with you. It puts both you and him/her at risk, and it is not healthy for you.
What you need to do is find a new psychiatrist, and take what you've learned from the old relationship and apply it to the new one. Also, remember that a relationship with a psychiatrist is professional or theraputic, its never personal.
Lorne
Posted by orchid on August 5, 2005, at 14:52:19
In reply to Re: Lott: Question about countertransference, posted by Lorne on August 5, 2005, at 14:43:05
Are you saying when a patient experiences transference, the therapist should terminate the client?? Then a whole bunch of us would get terminated, and would never work therapy to completion.
Posted by orchid on August 5, 2005, at 15:05:48
In reply to Re: Lott: Question about countertransference » Lorne, posted by orchid on August 5, 2005, at 14:52:19
(I should mention now Orchid is old pinkeye. I changed my name recently)
Posted by deborah anne lott on August 5, 2005, at 21:00:03
In reply to Lott: Question about countertransference, posted by pinkeye on August 4, 2005, at 13:24:47
Therapists are bound to have some negative feelings for some clients sometimes. That's why therapists are supposed to seek consultation. So that someone else can help them work through what they're feeling and figure out what's coming from them, what's coming from the client, and how they can best use their feelings --positive and negative -- in the client's behalf. I also don't think it's entirely out of line for a therapist to disclose that something the client is doing in the context of the relationship is impairing the therapist's ability to do his/her job.
Dear Miss Lott,
>
> What should a therapist do when he/she develops countertransference towards a patient? Can she/he continue to see the patient? What if the feelings become extremely negative and they start disliking the patient? How are they supposed to handle intense likings/dislikings? ARe they supposed to stop all contact with a client if they develop such feelings?
>
> In my case, I am now pretty sure my pschiatrist developed some intense negative feelings towards me. And he terminated me and stopped all contact with me. Initially he said he would even give me a referral etc, but then now when I asked for one, he didn't give me that also. And I think I really didn't do anything specific to irritate him too much. But I am very sure he somehow started disliking me and didn't want to have anything to do with me - and that also almost suddenly. I have tried to figure out what I did wrong, and I have asked him, but he never replies. I think I perhaps irritated him by asking few times if he liked me etc. But I don't think it is such a horrible thing for a patient to do things like that.
>
>
Posted by Declan on August 9, 2005, at 14:08:08
In reply to Re: Lott: Question about countertransference, posted by deborah anne lott on August 5, 2005, at 21:00:03
A couple of things occurred to me
1. Wouldn't countertransference be the rule in therapy, and I'd have thought being aware of it and not acting it out is the therapist's job.
2. It must be almost the rule for patients to try to get affection/whatever from their therapists, and dealing with this is a basic part of therapy.
3. Once a therapist commits to a patient certain responsibilities ensue.
Declan
Posted by allisonross on October 21, 2005, at 15:39:12
In reply to Lott: Question about countertransference, posted by pinkeye on August 4, 2005, at 13:24:47
Hi, Pinkeye: A therapist is NOT supposed to terminate you without a good reason; it is called ABANDONMENT when they do that. he should have been HONEST with you and told you why...therapists are people too...we all have baggage, hangups, but a therapist is supposed to be trained and not let that get in the way of good therapy.......It is obvious that his issue(s) with you...had NOTHING TO DO WITH....YOU...he had a hangup or hangup, and chose to take the coward's way out, and terminate you without a reason....abusive! Hugs
Posted by orchid on October 24, 2005, at 14:16:01
In reply to Re: To:Pinkeye/Your Cowardly t!!, posted by allisonross on October 21, 2005, at 15:39:12
Actually off late I am realizing it was not his mistake at all.
There were other circumstances which led to termination as well, and may be the termiation could have been better, but nothing too wrong!!.
Thanks
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