No, my T doesn't try to get closer than a professional distance; it's more like my 'comfortable distance away' is all the way across the room. She's a very visual person, and her whiteboard is (to me) too close to her for comfort, so if there's a complicated problem, I can't draw/write it out for her without it being incredibly awkward. I also have an insane startle response, so if she moves too quickly, I jump and assume a 'threat evaluation' mindset, and end up dissociated for the rest of the session.

She's been magnificent about it, and hasn't violated any professional boundaries; it's just severely hampering our progress, on top of me being worried she'll take it to heart.

To be clearer, it isn't -her- that I'm scared of; in my mind, anybody in a position of power over me is dangerous. I would normally compensate for it by getting to know the person so I can manipulate them/our relationship if need be, but that's something I'm trying to overcome (and it would be extremely unhelpful in this case).

Pennster: I can't get over being scared of her, which is negatively affecting our work together.

Argonaut: I might try asking her to keep the door open, that may help - thanks! :-) I've been seeing her for four months now, and this is the primary roadblock.

Blurred: thanks :-)