Posted by JouezMoi on October 20, 2008, at 17:00:48
In reply to Re: My T story » Morgan79, posted by lucie lu on October 20, 2008, at 16:33:26
Wow!.. The reality is that T's are human too. They struggle with the same emotions as the rest of us.
Every now and again they would meet a client with whom the chemistry feels so good. Under these circumstances they are supposed to seek consultation on how to best handle the situation.
This, however, does not change feelings which can be as strong for the therapist as it is for the client. Looking at both sides of the table, Ts seem to be just as vulnerable as clients, but under the rules, they are not supposed to be. They share so much with so many people. It is a hell of a difficult job, I think.
And .. your T is single on top of that, which makes him even more vulnerable given the level of intimacy that is the essence of the therapy relationship. This is risky for both of you. Is it really real?
I know of a case of a faculty starting to date a graduate student of his. It was kept hidden, though so many people knew. He could have lost a tenure opportunity because of it, and was advised to break it off. He was very discreet until she was no longer his student. They dated and were married in two years.
It is not impossible. I see the power relationship in this case, as similar in some ways.
Humans will never be perfect, and I am not saying that any T who does this needs excusing, I just think that it is possible for the two people in the room (client and T) to be subject to the same vulnerabilities of the intimacy, and the risks are great on both sides.
poster:JouezMoi
thread:858382
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20081018/msgs/858468.html