Posted by Dinah on October 9, 2003, at 10:01:19
In reply to From an expert, posted by Dinah on October 9, 2003, at 9:54:34
Transference (female attracted to female therapists)
Marty Klein, Ph.D. · 06/30/03 at 1:33 ET
All good psychotherapy, if it lasts long enough, raises multiple feelings and fantasies about intimacy, closeness, sensuality, acceptance, and some sort of connection outside of therapy. Putting aside the therapist's projections, feelings, and needs for a moment, we call this collection of fantasies and feelings that patients have "transference."Good therapists look for signs of this phenomenon in their patients, both male and female. The dynamics are both unique in each individual, and known to have certain common configurations. Patients who experience these feelings and don't discuss them with the therapist are sabotaging the therapy. Therapists who are afraid to initiate discussions about patients' feelings are of limited effectiveness.
If you are concerned about patients being attracted to you, or you being attracted to patients, i urge you to discuss this with your supervisor. If you are uncomfortable doing so, either get a new supervisor or pay an experienced therapist in your area for a few hours' supervision on this issue.
Books that are especially insightful about this (and which are readable!) are:
* Weinberg, The heart of psychotherapy
* Solomon, Countertransference in couples therapy
* Haule, The love cure
* Mann, Psychotherapy: an erotic relationship
I could go on and on. There must be thousands of professionals out there saying the same thing.
poster:Dinah
thread:266267
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030925/msgs/267258.html