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Re: Is it really harmful to be friends with T ? » pinkeye

Posted by alexandra_k on May 3, 2005, at 23:29:20

In reply to Re: Is it really harmful to be friends with T ? » alexandra_k, posted by pinkeye on May 3, 2005, at 23:20:43

> I sometimes wonder, if people in ethics committee and other people who enforce such strict ethics and prevent friendships between people who are both adults are somewhat cruel and don't have any human value.

Hmm. I think they are well intentioned... I'm not sure about the friendship thing... It might be okay for some people, but it might not be okay for others. 'Do no harm'. I think it might be more about that. Easier to refrain from things (like keeping up contact) when there is a risk of harm with continued contact.

You wouldn't be able to ever see them again as a t. It would be unethical to go to a t who you know prior to therapy as a friend.

I don't know. I can see the sense in it. But to the best of my knowledge there isn't anything to prevent friendships - other than the disapproval of other t's who may not think it is a good idea.

> It is perfectly understandable for the T to decline a friendship offered by a patient. Same way for a patient to decline a friendship offered by a T. But why on earth would that be anybody else's business but these two parties?

Sure.
I don't think it is.
Sex is different though.
And there we seem to want to say that it is other peoples business..

> After a therapy relationship is over, nobody has any business whatsoever interfering in a relationship between two adults. At the max, they can enforce a time line - like 2 years. But making it ethical requirement is really not up to the ethics committe to enforce.


Well... Making it an ethical 'requirement' is what does make it up to an ethics committee to enforce. I guess what you are questioning is the ethical requirement.

I don't know.
I sort of think each case should be decided on its own merits...
But in general...
Friendship seems okay.
Sex doesn't.
Not unless you happen to meet in a different context after the two years.
But 2 years of no contact.

But I should probably leave this topic
because I have gotten into trouble on this one before and I have pretty strong feelings about this one.

IMO
It is a betrayal of trust.
Despite what a client may think they want.
And therapists should damned well know better
And if they don't then they shouldn't be allowed to practice.
Just my 2 cents and now I'll shut up.

 

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