Posted by Annabelle Smith on December 10, 2010, at 13:16:35
In reply to Re: busy, busy therapist, posted by sigismund on December 10, 2010, at 12:00:18
I wonder if what you are feeling is similar to how most clients in therapy feel? I really don't like to admit it, especially aloud, but I can really relate to what you are feeling and describing here. It seems like we all want someone who can unconditionally and totally care for us; that such a person does not exist is distressing to put it mildly. Whether or not there a God, I think this deep desire is underneath a lot of peoples' desires for there to be a personal God who knows, loves, and cares for us intimately. At least I am aware that is the case for me. Do you think that all clients want their therapists to care for them as we are talking or do you think this is more prominent and distressing for people with particular backgrounds and "issues" like perhaps me, you, and others on this board? I hope I have not projected anything onto you and that I am following you correctly.
It is funny timing that you post this now, because I have been feeling distressed about the same thing. The therapeutic relationship is so strange, unlike any other in life. Sometimes I feel exploited and hurt, because I share so much and then it's like, that's it. I become so connected, almost merged, and don't know how to deal with this. My therapist is not like even a beloved professor or mentor whom I know that I could theoretically call or email even 10 years from now. I want him to be something that he cannot be. I know that he literally cannot care for clients in the way that I want him to care, because to do so would drive him insane and make him be of no use to anyone, broken down by everyone's pain. I wonder to what extend his care is real. Sometimes the therapeutic relationship seems so fake to me. It's more real than any other and also more fake.
poster:Annabelle Smith
thread:973080
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20101115/msgs/973094.html