|
I was at a Memorial SErvice for a person who was a psychotherapist and everyone present had an opportunity to speak. A few of the people spoke about how their relationship with the deceased started as client-T, but they realized they (both the client AND the T) wanted it to be client-T AND friends. And I heard of another client who remained a client while moving in to the T's home help with an aging parent (the client had nursing skills and limited funds for therapy).
And then I have heard of lesser stories of the client staying for dinner with the therapist, or picking up take-out for the therapist and staying to eat.
And part of me thinks it would feel so wonderful and validating to think have a richer, fuller relationship in which the T's regard for me was demonstrated as not "just because I'm a client and he has to" but because he really enjoys me, and part of me thinks this might be risky. I've heard of a therapist who loaned money to a client. (for a very worthwhile endeavor, and not so much as to put the therapist in any difficulty, and more than the client could afford.)
I'm wondering what experiences people have had. I have struggled with making sense of what boundaries are necessary for me, and what boundaries limit me (I realize the therapist must also answer these questions for themselves. I'm focused on how does the client respond to different boundaries, which is different from the therapist's comfort level.) Would lowering of boundaries enrich the relationship and therapy, or risk it and be confusing and more vulnerable to the kinds of things that happen to people in regular relationships. or both?
|