Posted by daisym on April 24, 2005, at 17:55:43
In reply to Re: If I were a therapist.... » pinkeye, posted by annierose on April 24, 2005, at 17:16:03
"They also are not invested emotionally as we are in the relationship. It's different for them."
Annie,
I hope you left out the word "as" -- "not as emotionally invested" because I think they ARE invested in this relationship and do genuinely care. We've had lots of threads about caring for clients --is it real if they get paid, etc. I have clients and we get paid to do our jobs. But I still care very much for the kids on my caseload.
Sometimes I think we underestimate our role in the theraputic relationship. Most therapists are not stone and they want to engage in a two way dialog, without making it about them. Of course there is a power differential. And I'm sure they don't google us. But I think they do think about us outside of sessions, things remind them of us, and sometimes, they worry about us.
I resist this, fight against the feelings of wanting to be cared for. My therapist asks me a lot, "why is it so hard for you to have me hold you in my mind?" I always answer, "because it is dangerous." I think this is my primary task in therapy, to allow his caring and not have it freak me out completely.
But it is really hard, isn't it?
poster:daisym
thread:488857
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050420/msgs/488905.html