Posted by alexandra_k on May 4, 2005, at 1:35:09
In reply to Re: Is it really harmful to be friends with T ? » alexandra_k, posted by pinkeye on May 3, 2005, at 23:45:05
> I actually think it is a betrayal of trust to cut off all contact with a former patient, (if a therapist personally decides it would actually benefit the client and not harm the client), and acts against his/her own judgement and just tries to stick to the ethical principles for the sake of it.
But the point of termination...
The point of termination...
Is that the person is not your therapist anymore.
It isn't about your welfare anymore.
Otherwise they would still be being your therapist - do you see?
That is why I am a bit dubious about whether a friendship would work.
Therapy is not an equal relationship.
Think of the sort of transference feelings you feel toward your t.
Do you feel those towards your friends?
Would you be able to have an equal friendship with someone you had all those transference feelings for?
A friendship is supposed to be an equal relationship.
Don't you think you would be way more invested in the friendship than the x t?
They can't be a t to you on their own time.
Not without going crazy themselves.
They need to get their needs met in a friendship too.
Not just maintain / sustain - or even act to encourage a dependency relationship.I know it sounds harsh.
But IMO it is actually much kinder.
Besides which, there isn't a legal requirement to the best of my knowledge. It does seem to be true that most therapists frown on it. I am just trying to figure out and relate why that might be.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:493094
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050428/msgs/493472.html