I don't say much about my T b/c his boundaries have been very loose with me, and someone who doesn't understand the situation could easily find reason to criticize it. I think he has loosened standard therapeutic boundaries to adapt to my needs. If it had been solely a blank slate, one way relationship, I never would have stayed in therapy nor would I have ever opened up. I needed to see his humanness. To that end, he judiciously uses self-disclosure and admits his reactions and emotions to what I am saying/doing so that I get a two way "real" experience. I have such a facade in my real life that therapy is sort of an experiment of how it would be with someone to show my authentic self.

I don't think all the rules apply to every situation, and I am grateful that therapists are willing to take risks to give clients what they need. Some styles work with some and not with others. I think some of my T's attempts to help have possible been harmful at times, but it's all been with good intentions to help reach me and heal an incredible amount of trauma. I never would have lasted with a rock of Gibraltar type, but I can understand why some who have had their personal space or boundaries violated would only be safe with some who stayed "firmly planted in their chairs".

I'm glad there are different styles, schools of thought and different types of therapists for all the different types of people and pain in the world.