What is the appropriate relationship to have with an ex-psychiatrist. I saw a psychiatrist for about a dozen years, he had to move to a far away city, but he saw me through my turbulent adolescent years, so a close yet professional bond developed.
When he told me he had to move, I felt completely abandoned and forsaken. He knew I had abandonment issues and I begged him not to forsake me, that we could work out something, maybe therapy through Skype ,anything.
* What ended up happening is, at the end of our professional-relationship he filled me in on some of the details of his private life that I didn't know. He promised he would stay in touch. He recommended an excellent therapist that he's personally friends with, i still see her. We started exchanging emails, then sometimes we talked on the phone, sent each other Christmas cards. He treats me like a friend. When I was in Los Angeles, he treated me to a delicious lunch and we did some star sighting. It was great to catch up on old times. I sent him a action figure of Sigmund Freud for his birthday. Now he's visiting New York City, where I live and this time I'm taking him to lunch. He is still extremely courteous and professional, just more as a friend. Basically we are friends now.
I really enjoy having this type of relationship with him, and I feel that without it, I would have felt completely abandoned and would have never gotten to the point where I am now, where I can trust people and "let them in".
We've been friends noe for 4 years.
Is this normal?
Is it odd?
Is it ethical?
What's your opinion?