Posted by crushedout on January 29, 2004, at 23:37:23
I finished reading "Deepening Intimacy in Psychotherapy: Using the Erotic Transference and Countertransference" and I found it really interesting. My thoughts about whether a T should disclose romantic and/or erotic feelings toward a patient have changed significantly. Reading the book has persuaded me that it can often be -- though perhaps isn't always -- useful and therapeutic for a T to disclose such feelings.
Here are a couple thoughts I had that changed my thinking on this. First, I think that sexuality and attraction can be very powerful feelings in a room and failing to verbalize them does not actually necessarily keep them from the patient's consciousness. So what ends up happening instead is a sort of impasse, where the therapist and patient dance awkwardly around the subject, both too afraid to just say what's going on. It seems to me to be more helpful for the T just to be honest about her feelings. This also can serve as a helpful model for the patient to express her transference feelings, which can be difficult.
Another observation that I gathered from the book was that why, if the T is supposed to bring her feelings into the therapy in every other area, is sexuality out of bounds? Ts are sexual creatures like the rest of us, and it's only natural for them to have sexual or romantic feelings for their patients some of the time. It seems to me a product of our sexually repressive culture that we frown upon them talking about their sexual feelings. (Obviously, it's also a product of many Ts being abusive, and the reaction to that.)
My guess is it's not helpful for every T, every patient, and every situation (i.e., it should depend on many variables whether a T should disclose).
Just some thoughts I wanted to share. I recommend the book.
poster:crushedout
thread:307129
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040123/msgs/307129.html