Posted by Dinah on August 25, 2010, at 7:40:54
In reply to Re: Deja Vu with therapist, posted by widget on August 25, 2010, at 7:29:32
It's love of a sort. It's a loving behavior. But it's a deliberate choice on their part, a stance. *Not* a pretense or an act, but a stance. It's not how they would behave in the real world. I've heard my therapist snap at his wife. He might get angry with me, but he wouldn't snap because I'm his client, not his wife or friend. It's real as far as it goes. It's real in that room. But it's not the sort of love it would appear to be in any other situation.
I'm not saying that therapists don't care about us. They can and often do. I'm well aware that my therapist feels a certain affection for me. But it's not the love we would wish it to be.
I think it might be a good thing to ask your therapist. How unconditional positive regard differs from unconditional love.
poster:Dinah
thread:959593
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20100706/msgs/959771.html