Monalisasmile, I just read your post on that other thread and thought it seemed a little worrying. Does your T really want to know everything you do? That seems a little odd.

My T is a relational therapist so he is very much a real person and not a blank screen. He has told me a few things about his life - never to meet his own needs but because it will benefit or help me in some way. I don't feel like he has put his stuff in my way. He's got about 20 years' experience and seems to get it just right. He has done a lot of personal therapy also.

I think lemon80s' post is brilliant and sums up what therapy is all about.

As to why they become therapists, my T told me he became a therapist so he would feel better about his own problems in life. He didn't have a selfless wish to help others. He wanted to help others and feel good about the fact. I appreciated his honesty. And I don't think it's about feeling important given being a T often means becoming a verbal punching bag - it's rather more complex and nuanced than being some kind of ego trip.

Personally I don't feel it's voyeuristic when Ts take an interest in clients' lives, unless they're asking for an unhealthy or obsessive amount of detail. My T just says I can tell him whatever I want to. Due to my childhood I don't expect him to be interested or want to listen so I certainly don't feel he's voyeuristic.

I do worry about him picturing me in certain situations if I talk about them. I need to talk to him about this I think.