Posted by Dinah on October 9, 2003, at 8:55:47
In reply to Re: questionable information » Dr. Bob, posted by jay on October 9, 2003, at 3:10:45
I am a participant on an online mental health board. A poster, giving his credentials as a Canadian licensed social worker, has made a series of posts saying that it is a social worker's ethical obligation to terminate with a client who admits feeling strong feelings for him or her. That it's ok for a client to feel things for a therapist, but that when the client crosses the line into showing or mentioning those feelings that the therapist is bound by ethics to terminate with that client.
I have spent my last many months on this bulletin board trying to help fellow clients see their feelings for their therapists as being something that's fairly common and certainly not shameful. And that their therapists will be familiar with transference, and will want them to bring it up with them. I am always recommending the book "In Session" by Deborah Lott. Now I don't think I'm wrong in saying those things. I've done a fair amount of reading, and it is my understanding that a client is supposed to bring up their feelings for a therapist, not hide them for fear of abandonment.
But the poster making the claim that disclosing a tranference, particularly an erotic tranference, is grounds for termination, that the therapist is in fact required to terminate, is pulling out his professional credential card. And I fear that the weight of his professional authority will scare vulnerable clients into silence, whatever this layperson might say.
And so I am appealing to professionals. If I am wrong in the advice I am giving my fellow clients, please let me know. If the other poster is giving out information that you, as a professional would disagree with, would you please also comment on that, either to me or on the board in question, for the sake of the clients.Here are some excerpts from the posts:
"Another important factor, which others seem to agree on, is what I have come up against in counselling, and that is transference. It can make even the most comfortable of therapists uneasy. It actually feels like "teeth-pulling" to a therapist, especially how vulnerable to lawsuits, malpractice, etc, they are. Just a suggestion, but you may want to try to find a good counsellor who specializes in helping you build your own walls to keep separation and understanding of the different types of 'roles' and actions we should use when dealing with various people. (i.e. how you act around a partner compared to a stranger and/or a therapist.)"
"I have noticed a number of folks who mention extensive attraction to their therapist, which is with no mistake, transference. What you must realize is that this is one of the ultimate *sins* in counselling. Therapists are usually obligated to terminate the client-patient relationship if this occurs. Therapists can face criminal charges and lose their license to practice if they operate outside the boundaries of a client-patient relationship at all."
"Yes, the NASW code of ethics is identical the Ontario/Canadian Social Work one. (I am legally bound, also, because I am a member...and I pay 400 bucks a year for such!..hehee) I am not saying that your own transference issues, as long as they don't interfere with the professional relationship, are not 'fine'. Should this leave the clients mind and enter into the communication between the two, then the SW has an obligation to terminate. A good therapist can pick this up quite easily."
"I understand what you are saying...and the smallest amount of attraction should only be able to be picked up if you where a psychic. I don't mean to be arrogant or whatever, but I have plenty of first-hand experience, twice with me and numerous with other colleagues. The two times with me involved slightly covert, but suspicious questions about *me* as a person, and my personal life.(VERY blatent questions.) Most counsellors who find this is an issue will discuss it with colleagues first."
"Again, I am not trying to say that clients, in their minds, should not harbour any feelings towards a therapist. That would be humanly impossible. But, when that line is crossed and feelings turn into words, or an inappropriate gesture, the common practice is to terminate."
"My main point being, is besides counsellors, clients must take some responsibility for how their actions could affect the professional/client relationship. This is not just an ethical argument, but a legal one also. It differs in many places, but a counsellor can be charged for appearing to any way 'entice' the client. Plus, especially for sexual abuse survivors, this can be deeply dangerous ground. There is plenty of time to socialize out in public or at a bar, but a professional is being paid good money to utilize very complex and intricate skill."
And here are the links:
Http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20031002/msgs/267152.html
Http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030925/msgs/266267.html
Http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030925/msgs/266313.html
Http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030925/msgs/266338.html
Http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030925/msgs/266597.html
poster:Dinah
thread:266500
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20031008/msgs/267230.html