OCD Action

vmb
Member

Hi Ive been gettin CBT therapy for the last four weeks now and Im making great progress. However, think Im starting to experience tranference. I keep thinking about my therapist all the time like Im developing feelings for him. I know the feelings are not real and are from things I maybe lacked during childhood, but Im having difficulty controlling it. Everytime I go to therapy I get really nervous and shacky, which leads me feeling really embarreced. Does anyone else get this or does anyone have advice about this

Sun Feb 7 2010 8:26:32 #
Unregistered

Hi

I would think this is quite normal. I simply adore my therapist because she is totally inspirational. My parents could never help in the same way that she has helped me. So it is unsurprising that she fels like a parent/friend to me.

You should tell your therapist how you feel the next time you see him/her. In the meantime, well done on your fantastic progress.

Anne

Sun Feb 7 2010 10:09:43 #
swan
Member

Im not experiencing this with present person but have in the past. When it first happened i was really embarressed and worried about my feelings. Any transference i tend to get are more in relation to them being a friend rather than parent mainly because relationship with my mum has improved. I know once i discussed the friendship issue wth a therapist when she was about to retire but she said if we kept in contact it would be difficult due to unreal expectations. Similary people i have given in my own job, i havnt kept in contact with because they didnt know the real me and when i had visited the whole time had been around supporting them. We can expect that still to happen even when a proffessional relationship becomes a friendship.

Sun Feb 7 2010 16:54:30 #
Trofsky
Member

I have experienced having a closness with my therapist. Not to the extent where it is inappripriate, but I think it is natural to have an established trust and even admiration between cousnelor and client. Just watch your boundaries, tho.

Mon Mar 8 2010 19:23:10 #
Unregistered

I agree Trofsky.

Now I am towards the end of my therapy, I have my confidence back and know the difference between my therapist and my friends/family. I think you have to do this so that you can move on. Luckily my husband has learned a lot from my relapse and is now actively participating in my day to day exposure therapy without interference or criticism. I think this is the perfect outcome for me.

Tue Mar 9 2010 12:06:03 #
DEAD!
Blocked

Yeah a lot, although I don't think about her so much now.
She knows I like her a lot, I think she's awesome but I've been seeing her so long now.

She said it's really common to have feelings for your therapist though.

Tue Mar 9 2010 16:55:23 #