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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by danish on September 13, 2005, at 12:28:04
Is attachment to your therapist ok?
Posted by LadyBug on September 13, 2005, at 13:11:10
In reply to Attachment, posted by danish on September 13, 2005, at 12:28:04
Heck Yes!!!! It is necessary as well. It can feel confusing at times.
LadyBug
Posted by shrinking violet on September 13, 2005, at 13:31:35
In reply to Re: Attachment » danish, posted by LadyBug on September 13, 2005, at 13:11:10
I think it is, but I also think it needs to be handled skillfully by the therapist. Have you talked to your T about your feelings of attachment? If not, I highly recommend you do so.
Hang in there.
SV
Posted by daisym on September 13, 2005, at 14:41:03
In reply to Attachment, posted by danish on September 13, 2005, at 12:28:04
Mine would say not only OK but absolutely necessary to do deep work. In order to feel safe enough to explore the scary corners of your brain, you need to trust that someone will guide you in and out.
He would also say that if it is happening, it needs to be talked about. He, btw, prefers the word attachment to dependency. They are often linked and confused but are not the same thing. He doesn't think dependency in and of itself is bad either. But not all therapists think like he does.
It can be confusing and painful though. Even after 2 years, I struggle with this concept.
Posted by Annierose on September 13, 2005, at 17:17:12
In reply to Attachment, posted by danish on September 13, 2005, at 12:28:04
Hi -
I agree with the other babblers that attachment is a necessary component to therapy. Not only is it okay, but personally rewarding (of course it's filled with peaks and valleys).
Fallsfall replied above to a post titled "Psychodyanmic therapy + transference". I think her thoughts will be helpful to you as well. Psychodynamic therapy is one type of therapy that works with attachment issues by working on any feelings the client may have directed towards the therapist.
So don't be scared if you feel attached. It's normal, and most therapists would say it's healthy too.
Posted by jammerlich on September 13, 2005, at 18:22:52
In reply to Re: Attachment » danish, posted by Annierose on September 13, 2005, at 17:17:12
It's very ok and very normal, but I think that we would be remiss to leave out that it can also be very painful - even when handled well by the T.
Posted by danish on September 14, 2005, at 10:01:24
In reply to Re: Attachment, posted by jammerlich on September 13, 2005, at 18:22:52
Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better! I wasn't sure that by me saying I was attached, my T would say perhaps it would be better if we terminated or not. Although, she is my school therapist for now so that means I will be terminated soon. Also, I haven't actually told her I was attached, but I have dropped hints, and I am 99% sure that she knows. We kinda talk about it without actually talking about it.
Posted by Shortelise on September 15, 2005, at 20:09:23
In reply to Attachment, posted by danish on September 13, 2005, at 12:28:04
Yes, it's ok.
It's so normal.
It helps to talk about it in therapy. It can really bring out lots of other things about other relationships, things that need to be discussed.
It can also feel very safe-making. I'm not sure how this works, but I have clutched my T to my heart, figuratively that is, and found comfort in it.
ShortE
Posted by terrics on September 16, 2005, at 0:12:25
In reply to Attachment, posted by danish on September 13, 2005, at 12:27:48
Depends on what kind of attachment and how you feel about it. So how do you feel about it? terrics
Posted by danish on September 17, 2005, at 22:04:21
In reply to Re: Attachment » danish, posted by terrics on September 16, 2005, at 0:12:25
I feel like I need her...but i need her in a way that will be helpful for me
This is the end of the thread.
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