Posted by Dinah on April 7, 2004, at 9:48:35
In reply to T makes me happy in session » shadows721, posted by Chucky Adkins on April 7, 2004, at 5:12:00
If you don't think she's acting in any way seductively towards you, that's great.
It's actually fairly common for humans to sexualize the feelings of caring that we get in therapy. Human evolution didn't count on therapy. Usually the only times we share so intimately in a private setting is either a mating process or a mother (or father) and child. So therapy can mimic either or both of those conditions, and arouse those feelings in us.
Have you ever read the book "In Session" by Deborah Lott? It's written about women and their feelings for their therapists, but I see no reason it couldn't apply equally to either gender.
There's no reason to be embarassed about a largely involuntary physical reaction to your therapist. I think it's great that you're planning to be honest.
But I've promised myself after talking to a few therapists and listening to many stories to add the information that not all therapists respond in the caring and professional way that their profession suggests they would. Hopefully the majority of them do. But some therapists seem to be confused between the rules about acting on sexual attraction and the fact of feeling sexual attraction.
You seem to have a good handle on why you are experiencing arousal, and that's good. But if she doesn't react well, you might recommend the video that the APA puts out.
http://www.apa.org/videos/4310570.html?CFID=2493388&CFTOKEN=89863392
I'm not trying to scare you in any way. I just believe in informed therapy consumers. I'm sure that if your therapist is experienced and professional everything will go just fine.
It really isn't uncommon, and it's nothing to feel concerned about.
poster:Dinah
thread:333058
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040402/msgs/333666.html