View Single Post
 
Old Apr 28, 2014, 04:15 PM
grimtopaz's Avatar
grimtopaz grimtopaz is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Jan 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 212
Your post makes me uncomfortable as someone who is very familiar with Psychologists' ethics code.

Let me start by saying I would love to go dancing with my therapist and spend time with her outside of session. However, if she suggested any of these things, as much as it would pain me, I would have to drop her as my therapist given such blatant boundary crossing (maybe even violation if you think about the "dual relationship" angle).

The ethics code states that the patient's well-being comes before everything else (except therapist's safety), in particular the therapist's needs. One of the key aspects of therapy is to maintain what is called "the therapeutic frame". This frame is set to protect the patient and is primarily composed of boundaries.

I know that you love spending time with your T and that it makes you feel special. Perhaps she is giving you the attention/love you've never gotten from anyone else. The fact that *you* were chosen and not other patients, must certainly make you feel unique. Your therapist is aware of this, and how much power she holds over you. The therapist-patient relationship is inherently very differential in power.

I hate the "slippery slope" argument, but I worry she might continue to invite you to increasingly intimate events, which might lead to you become uncomfortable. Moreover, if anything happens in these outings, it will also impact what happens in session (this is why therapists do NOT engage in dual relationships). What happens if you decide you don't want to go dancing with your T any more? What if she stops asking you out? Will you be hurt?

Also, please think about your own boundaries and what would it take for you to say "no" to her.

Take care.
Thanks for this!
Favorite Jeans, GenCat, rainbow8, sailorboy, scorpiosis37