I'm not one to excuse therapists on the basis of the fact that they make mistakes just like everyone else - so too are doctors human, and we hold them to a high standard in their work. Therapists should be the same.

But even though I believe that, I don't understand your question. Because although I don't think their being "regular people" is an excuse for a mistake a therapist or doctor makes, they are in fact regular people with needs and impulses (which they should not bring into the office, just as doctors should not see patients when they're drunk). Are you saying that therapy is an impossible profession and should not be practiced by humans?

Eta: I guess what I'm trying to say is, how can a client not be aware it's another regular person sitting there with them? I mean, I don't buy the excuse of having needs if they screw up. But simultaneously I expect them to screw up.

Etaa: yeah, I added a bunch of stuff and then deleted because a, I was rambling, and b, think I might have misunderstood BudFox in what I was adding.