For me I see the difference more like, I can look at my Psychiatrist and think he's a really nice looking guy with a great personality. If neither of us were married, he wasn't my Doctor and we happened to meet somewhere (like a bar or club) then sure, why not, he'd definitely be in with a chance. But those thoughts don't go any further than that.

If I was experiencing transference I think it would feel more like a longing, like I wanted him to hold me and protect me and love me, and make me happy and give me all the things I felt I missed out in my childhood. It'd be more of a fantasy construct rather than just a simple acknowledgment of attraction to another human being.

For me as well I differentiate between acknowledging attraction and actually being attracted. One is more passive, the other more active. If that makes sense? It's hard to explain.