Anyone ever fall for their therapist?

[Anonymous]

I think I’m falling for my therapist. He is so kind and attentive. He grew a hint of a beard this week and looked very attractive today.

I think my thoughts are getting in the way of my sessions.

Anyone else ever felt this way? What did you do?

[Anonymous]

I read a book where the guy's wife had an affair with her therapist. They stayed married but she died and then he remarried. It was a true story. If you have an affair, imagine all his other clients that are having an affair with him too. Don't do it.

[Anonymous]

You are paying him to be kind and attentive. It’s like a form of prostitution. Try framing it that way.

[Anonymous]

Yes, when I was in college struggling with bipolar disorder. It was amazing at first but the excitement wore off after a few months, and we got sloppy... another client figured it out I think based on how his office smelled, and reported him to whatever board is responsible for ethics. We cut it off after that.

[Anonymous]

It happens a lot. My friend did med mal defense and the frisky therapists kept her busy.

It’s unethical for a medical provider to get involved with you due to the power imbalance. It’s especially problematic for a therapist because they are privy to your deepest insecurities.

[Anonymous]

Married her

[Anonymous]

It's transference. And limerence. And yes, I had a bad case of this with my psychiatrist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, when I was in college struggling with bipolar disorder. It was amazing at first but the excitement wore off after a few months, and we got sloppy... another client figured it out I think based on how his office smelled, and reported him to whatever board is responsible for ethics. We cut it off after that.

OMG.

[Anonymous]

I thought I'd fallen for a therapist once, but it was counter-transference and they were stalking me.

Boundaries are critical. Don't mess around here. The sort of "professional" that would is a massive liability and, eventually, the glow wears off.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I absolutely did and still think of her. But she caught on and ended our sessions, referring me to someone else. It was all for the good. No real harm done.

[Anonymous]

You are supposed to develop feelings for your therapist. It's part of the process. Google "transference." If you can, tell your therapist about what you are feeling so you can explore it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are supposed to develop feelings for your therapist. It's part of the process. Google "transference." If you can, tell yourI therapist about what you are feeling so you can explore it.

+1 It’s one of the first things we learned in social work school.

[Anonymous]

People tend to fall for their therapist, doctor, favorite waitress/waiter, their realtor etc all because they give you positive attention. You wouldn’t get it if they weren’t being paid by you. Remember that. The relationship is transactional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Married her

If this is real her license should have been stripped.

[Anonymous]

Yet another reason going to therapy is bad in most cases!