I've told my therapist I love her, and I do. I've felt love for many people in my life, it is not a word that I reserve only for blood relatives or for a spouse.

She is a paid professional and I love her simultaneously. The therapeutic relationship is not identical to any others, but I'd say it's got something in common with teacher/student and I've certainly had teachers I loved too, even though they were paid to teach me.

I think it's a line we must each draw for ourselves, not an arbitrary one.