For those of us doing deep work, not just cognitive and behavioral work, it is very important to have an attachment to our therapists. What we're doing is dredging up very painful and very difficult emotions that relate to traumatic events in our past (usually).

Typically there is a tremendous amount of fear and anxiety associated with the uncovering of painful emotions - along with shame, guilt, anger and so on.

The 'fixation' on our therapists is actually the ability to let down our very well constructed defenses and allow ourselves to be very vulnerable. That can't easily happen if we don't develop a serious bonding with them. It's our most inner life that we're exposing and we need to develop the kind of trust that is inherent in the trust a child must feel for its mother. And within that trust is the knowledge that we won't be hurt.

So, yes, this attachment is healthy. For those people who have an experienced and knowledgeable therapist, it can be the most transforming of all relationships. AND, the dependency that we feel while we're working through our issues will not last. We will be able to eventually stand on our own 2 feet. But while we're needing this support, our 'fixation' is nothing to avoid nor feel ashamed about.