Posted by Medusa on October 29, 2003, at 17:34:05
In reply to Being friends with T AFTER treatment commences, posted by tinydancer on October 29, 2003, at 0:30:48
> Is it unethical
It *would* be unethical for a therapist, knowing what they should know about the power etc imbalances, to enter into a friendship with a patient - because the therapist MUST KNOW that s/he can't provide a clean-slate friendship and that the patient is expecting something impossible., and any attempt by the therapist to accomodate this wish would be a disappointment to the patient.
I think it's normal to have some kind of friendship-inkling feelings for a therapist who's good, who listens to you, who makes eye contact, who seems like a mensch. The thing is, that's part of their JOB, and what they do as part of doing a good job is necessarily going to make them seem attractive as friends. Which is powerful stuff for those of us with social issues.
poster:Medusa
thread:274508
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20031011/msgs/274766.html