Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkedthatroad
Vulnerability-Therapists also have to risk being vulnerable It's a hazard of the job. How can any person 100% of the time, day after day, client after client, not empathize with some of the people and some of the things they hear. Are they expected to manage it? Most definitely. Usually, one puts up defenses when they are feeling vulnerable. And, most likely she felt vulnerable at times working with you before the rupture. Maybe, you would not be railing continuously if your therapist hadn't put up defenses when things went south between the two of you. There are articles written and bodies of research being compiled on therapist's vulnerability.
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Not sure how we got onto discussing my own T's vulnerability, but yes of course she was vulnerable. She was hurt by the experience, and even used our last phone call to soothe her own wounds and to get therapy from me. I don't see this as a flaw necessarily since T's are human. For me the fundamental flaw in the system is the fact that her vulnerability and defenses intruded on the process to such an extent that I was retraumataized and the whole thing imploded, with no oversight or check/balances to stop the bleeding. I dont understand what point you are trying to make with the "railing continuously" comment?
So she was vulnerable, but if someone were to argue that her vulnerability and mine were anywhere near commensurate, I would say that is preposterous. And same goes for who held the power.
A nice succinct quote about all the power and vulnerability stuff:
"Therapy patients are as vulnerable to the influence of their therapists as infants are to mothers". -- Sue Elkind PhD